In March 2000, Raf Simons shuts down his company to take a sabbatical. Since his label has been growing more and more successful, he feels restricted and confined by the business side of fashion. In order to re-energize his reason to work, he announces he will quit from fashion and take time to consider new directions. Only after being approached by and offered a new co-operation deal with Belgian manufacturer Gysemans Clothing Industry, he takes up fashion once more in 2001, now with a smaller crew of collaborators.

Appointed head professor of the Fashion Department of the University of Applied Arts, Vienna, Austria in October 2000. Until June 2005.

2003

Wins first prize Swiss Textiles Award, Lucerne, Switzerland in November 2003.

2005

Launches new line Raf by Raf Simons in June 2005.

Presents 'Raf Simons Redux', a book by Peter De Potter and Raf Simons (published by Charta/Fondazione Pitti Discovery) coinciding with his label’s 10th anniversary. 'Raf Simons 1995-2005', a fashion/art event at the Giardini di Boboli in Florence, Italy (initiated and produced by the Fondazione Pitti Discovery, June 2005) equally celebrates his first decade in fashion.

Named Creative Director of Jil Sander (menswear and womenswear) in July 2005. Until March 2012.

Develops a seasonal special edition collection for Fred Perry (since 2008 - 2010).

2011

In April 2011, Raf Simons is President of the Fashion jury of the Hyères 26th International Festival of Fashion and Photography.

July 2011 - curates Transmission 1, a three-day multidisciplinary event in Berlin initiated and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz.

2012

April 2012 - nominated Artistic Director of Christian Dior for women’s Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear and Accessory collections.