Raf Simons Supports Sterling Ruby at MAD Ball

Raf Simons Supports Sterling Ruby at MAD Ball Kristen Tauer Raf Simons may be light on free time, but on Tuesday night the designer managed to carve out a few hours to support a friend. "They're Honoring Sterling [Ruby]. He's like a brother to me, so it's important," said Simons, standing against the white-cubed backdrop built by the Museum of Arts and Design for its annual MAD Ball inside Cipriani 42 Street. "I've known Sterling for 12 years. I started collecting his work, and then we became friends, and then we started collaborating." What does he like about the artist's work? "Everything," the designer said, and good thing: Sterling has put his mark all over the Calvin Klein physical spaces, from designing fashion show sets to the brand's offices and retooled Madison Avenue boutique. Despite being in the thick of work for his own brand, Simons noted more personal time on the horizon. "We're leaving to Belgium on Friday actually," he said, as partner Jean-Georges d'Orazio flipped through the event auction catalogue. "It's nice to see family. My dad just turned 80 today." During cocktail hour, Ruby called out several of the museum's past shows. "Really over the past couple of years, they've done such a phenomenal job programming," said the Los Angeles-based Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. Read More... Fashion 3