Founded in 2002, rag & bone had one very clear vision in mind: to make clothes that they and their friends would love to wear every day. With no formal fashion training, Marcus Wainwright & David Neville set about learning how to make jeans. They believed that denim represented the history, authenticity and fundamentals of classic work wear that they would strive to reflect in their designs.
Beginning in Kentucky, rag & bone surrounded themselves with people who had been making patterns, cutting fabric and sewing their whole lives. Working with these kinds of craftsmen taught them the importance of quality, craftsman-ship and attention to detail early on.
These principles soon became the keystones of the rag & bone philosophy, the definition of what clothing can and should be. With these principles in mind, whenever possible rag & bone produces the majority of their garments in U.S. factories that still sew clothes the same way they did 50 years ago.
rag & bone launched their men’s line in Spring 2004 and expanded the label to offer a full women’s collection by Fall 2005. The Fall Winter 2007 season marked the introduction of
rag & bone accessories for both men and women, adding a touch of style and distinction to their tailored looks. Guided by a strong British tailoring influence, rag & bone produces classic yet modern sportswear for men and women that is known for being understated and wearable. Each piece, whether it be a tailored shirt or a pair of jeans, is framedby the constants of high quality fabric, classic construction and perfect fit with a handmade feel.
Each season the designers seek out both innovative and classic fabrics, which, when blended together, give rag & bone a modern relevance while retaining a timeless feel. Accordingly, the designers also employ a variety of traditional manufacturers and suppliers, who lend their superb
workmanship and time-honored techniques to the collect-ion, such as Martin Greenfield Tailors of Brooklyn, Norton & Sons of Savile Row and Waterbury Button, the oldest button manufacturer in the US.
In 2006, rag & bone was selected as a finalist for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award and won the 2007 Swarovski Award for emerging talent in menswear, after also being nominated for that same award in 2006.
In 2010, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright were named Menswear Designers of the Year by the CFDA.
rag & bone is a lifestyle brand, offering men’s, women’s, footwear and accessories collections which are available at high end boutiques and exclusive department stores worldwide rag & bone also operates four flagship stores, men’s and women’s, on Christopher Street in NYC’s West Village, as well as a SoHo shop at 119 Mercer Street.
