RAF SIMONS - IL QUARTO SESSO
PRODUCT INFO
"The Fourth Sex" is Raf Simons’ second book, featuring 359 images depicting the extremes of adolescence. Rebellion, a foundational pillar of Raf’s legacy and design ethos, is showcased prominently throughout this work. Through collages of punk magazines, images of Tiananmen Square, and numerous portraits of boys with shaved heads, Raf casts a critical yet innocent light on adolescence and youth culture.
Not only does he capture the pure and innocent transition from teenager to young adult, but he also highlights this process with strong and vivid visuals. The book is a visual compilation of pain, pleasure, anxiety, curiosity, joy, and contradictions. It is filled with portraits of youth, juxtaposed with films that hold sentimental value for Raf and his upbringing. Elements of rebellious punk music are mixed with surveillance photos of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the Columbine High School shooters. The pages create an atmosphere that feels innocent yet deeply intentional, producing a complex mood commonly found in youth culture.
Teenage iconography permeates every page of this book. Images of youth fashion trends, combined with rebellious outfits and accessories, represent the indecision and coming-of-age discovery that Raf’s subjects experience. The beauty of this book, and the reason it’s considered a cult classic, lies in the emotions it evokes as you turn each page. Immediate discomfort paired with curiosity fills the reader’s mind as the subjects of the images stare directly back. The overarching theme of **The Fourth Sex** is consumption, or in Raf’s perspective, over-consumption. Teens are often misunderstood by their younger and older peers due to their overconsumption of mainstream and niche culture, fashion, and trends. They frequently seek inspiration for individuality, yet unknowingly become sources of inspiration for companies and brands. **The Fourth Sex** is Raf Simons’ way of visually portraying the fluidity of adolescence as they embark on their journey to self-discovery and self-actualization.
