Raf Simons’ final bow at Jil Sander. (AW12)

The final goodbye was moving in its beauty, elegance and softness. Raf Simons’ last collection for Jil Sander began with oversized coats in the warmest of pastels that seemed to envelop the wearer in a cocoon of comfort and style – the likes of which can only be found in the now historic Simons for Sander collections.

Even when the clothes weren’t as roomy, they seemed to offer a steady support. The slip dresses, jumpsuits and Cinderalla-like evening dresses transport the audience, and no doubt the wearer, to a rose filled room in an old imaginary Disney castle.

Then came the reds, somehow still soft in their boldness, and the metallics - a surprisingly modern, and somehow still classic side to the collection.  Finally we fade to the black dress: these were given panels of shiny black leather to give them that stamp of individuality and Sander brilliance.

When the last look disappeared among the rose-filled glass pillars on the catwalk (one for every year Raf Simons spent at Jil Sander) and the man himself took his bow, the audience hadn’t had enough. Upon his shy reappearance, the designer was in tears. The sincere beauty of the moment seemed to reflect that of his final collection.

Images: americanvogue.com