Rag & Bone Collection
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Articles on Rag & Bone
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In the fashion industry, its four capital cities have very distinct looks. What one might find in New York may not be the same in London, and what one might find stylish in Milan may not be the same story in Paris. With their own unique aesthetic and individuals ideals of what a trendsetter from their city should wear, designers from each city generally have a collective idea of what is fashionable today. Although some designers have jumped from city to city, their place of origin always reflects in their style and eventually becomes an indelible mark in that city’s fashion scene. But what if a label reflects two capitals and what they offer to fashion? Rag & Bone asks that very question.
The Rag & Bone Signature Style
The label’s unique style stems from two things: the designers’ place of origin, which in the UK, and their place of work, which in New York City. Both cities have distinct styles as well as historic contributions to fashion, both of which the brand has benefited from. Combining the streetwise aesthetic of New York’s bombastic urban scene with London’s traditions of exquisite tailoring and rigid craftsmanship, Rag & Bone offers a high-quality streetwear wardrobe for the modern man and woman. The stark contrast between their relaxed silhouetted with the strictness of the construction gives way to the refinement and quality of their pieces, which are best-sellers season after season.
Known for their tailoring, sleek outerwear has become a signature for the label, offering it in various hues and textiles. They’ve also played with how to specifically cut them to fit a certain aesthetic, which can be either upscale chic in neutral-toned wool, or downtown cool with military-hued nylon. They’ve also played around with the schoolwear staples, such as jersey garments and preppy-chic sweaters, showcasing their playful and youthful take on fashion. They classic collared-shirt has also been offered dozens of times, either as a dress or deconstructed for an edgier look.
History and Development
It was originally founded by Marcus Wainwright and Nathan Bogle, two British boys who both did not have formal training in fashion design. They launched the brand in 2002 but debuted their first men’s collection two years later in 2004. In 2005, they launched their first womenswear collection. Both lines have been positively-received by the fashion press, so much so that in 2006, the brand was a finalist for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Vogue Fashion Fund Award. Around this time, Bogle exited the company was replaced by David Neville, both as Wainwright’s business partner and co-designer.
The brand soon became a heavy favorite during New York Fashion Week. Even against a litany of other famous designers and labels, Rag & Bone eventually became a key show during the hectic fashion month. In 2008, the brand ventured into footwear, collaborating with shoe designer Tull Price. They created the Newbury boot, one of the most popular pairs of shoes of the late 2000’s and early 2010’s. In 2016, they launched their fragrance line, releasing a series of unisex scents with hints of Rose, Cypress, Amber, Bergamot, and Neroli. That same year they started licensing eyewear as well, entering a partnership with eyewear company Safilo Group.
Famous Faces of the Label
Like many successful labels, the brand has also enlisted some of the most recognizable faces in both the modelling industry and Hollywood to endorse their designs. They may not be big red carpet favorites, but when it comes to street style, they’re quite ahead. Actresses like Sienna Miller, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, and Cameron Diaz are prominent fans of the fashion duo. Social media superstars Khloe Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski have not only been spotted in the Rag & Bone gear, they’ve also sat front row in their shows during Fashion Week. For the men, host Ryan Seacrest and singer Nick Jonas have been seen wearing the label.
For Spring 2011, the company created a new and interactive way of marketing their latest collection—by starting their D.I.Y. project. The duo enlisted some of the most successful top models of the moment to advertise the collection their own way. This roster includes Victoria Secret models Miranda Kerr, Lily Aldridge, Jessica Hart, and Candice Swanepoel, pop culture favorite Poppy Delevingne, and high fashion superstar Abbey Lee Kershaw and Julia Stegner. For this campaign, each model was given their own digital camera to come up with images themselves, resulting in a more personal and highly-intimate ad campaign.
The Brand Today
Today, the label is still as strong as ever, sold in over 700 shops in the world, as well as having multiple flagships in various cities. They’re also sold in Net-A-Porter, arguably the biggest e-commerce site in the fashion industry. Currently, fans can also purchase their item through their own e-commerce site.
In 2016, Neville exited the brand, leaving Wainwright full reigns in both design and business operations. Even as he’s doing it all by himself now, Wainwright continues to offer cutting-edge designs for New York’s hip urban crown and the fashionable elite.
For a young brand such as Rag & Bone, what the company has done throughout the years is no easy feat. The label was able to combine the design sensibilities of two fashion distinct fashion capitals, creating a whole new aesthetic for a whole new generation in fashion.
