What few brands have reached an iconic status that makes it seem like they are just going to the traditional corner? Introduced by the Rhuigi Villaseñor in 2015, Rhude is a similar kind of brand. Hailing from the streets of Los Angeles, Rhude has become recognized as a high fashion breakthrough label redefining what luxury streetwear means today. Playing between street culture and high-end fashion, this brand has made its mark in the celebrity circuit and set a new bar for contemporary style.
The Origin Story of Rhude: A Marriage of Culture and Style
I am Coming From) Designer: Rhuigi Villaseñor is a Filipino immigrant from the small beach town of Oceanside who came to America at 11 and, perhaps only, did not feel alone in recent years. From a fashion-loving young boy to becoming an internationally acclaimed designer, his journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Villaseñor’s multicultural origins influence his designs, and he works to marry Filipino tradition with the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles street culture.
Villaseñor started Rhude because he simply wanted to make the kind of clothes that speak immediately and powerfully about who he is, what informs him as a designer (life in LA—a city unlike any other)…and call it quits. Its fast-selling debut, the bandana print t-shirt, a signature of its ever-since launch, has won notice on and off famous bods (and their IG captions). This first victory also established a blueprint for what Rhude would remain unlike, as his future collection had become the mantra of contemporary mens fashion. Shop the new Rhude collection here.
Streetwear and High Fashion Combined — Rhude Style
Striking a perfect balance of vibe right at the intersection (of) streetwear and luxury fashion, Rhude has always touched on classics with ease. Villaseñor’s designs are defined by their subdued yet commanding aesthetic, as they often incorporate asymmetrical patterns and silhouettes juxtaposed with his keen eye for detail. Considering the premium material choice and craftmanship by Rhude, wearing one of their garments translates to effortless fashion and even luxe.
Reimagining classic American iconography through the lens of our current consumer culture has always been a signature feature in his designs. One of the alternatives is given to his classic bandana print, a symbol consistently muse-ified through gang culture and rebellion interspersed with high-fashion components. Similarly, Rhude’s simple treatment of a varsity jacket or an iconic Western shirt belies Villaseñor’s ability to seamlessly bridge traditional Americana with modern design principles.
This brings us to another recurring theme in the brand: a color palette, frequently of neutrals like black, white, and beige mixed with often brilliant splashes. It brings an element of focus to the tiny finishings in every product, which makes Rhude’s clothing simple but sophisticated all at once. We also recently covered the latest from Rhude Clothing.
The Celebrity Factor: How Rhude Broke Through The Noise
Rhude, which boasts an impressive celebrity clientele (Justin Bieber and A$ap Rocky among them), has surged in popularity over the past two years. Once a label renowned for its striking graphics, Rhude has matured into one of the biggest names in music [worn by Kendrick Lamar) and sports (LeBron James teams up with Kevin Durant] fashion. That support from a high-profile celebrity helped establish Rhude as the leader in luxury streetwear fashion.
Some of the biggest milestones in Rhude history include none other than NBA superstar LeBron James rocking a custom Chen suit during the 2018 NBA Finals. This moment not only put Rhude on the map but also solidified its adept hand at mixing streetwear with high fashion. For those in the know, this was a cult designer doing what he did best; creating inherently wearable luxury with a rockstar twist, and that suit — with its perfectly cut form-fitting tailored design housed within a thick rainy day-worthy fabric (it is Manchester after all) certainly exemplified his approach. Discover the latest Rhude T-shirt collection.
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Collaborations have been a cornerstone of Rhude’s strategy, as they help it connect with new customers and experiment with other creative ideas. Notably — he was with Puma in a partnership that saw Rhude bring his trademark aesthetic to sportswear. The Puma x Rhude collection lent itself especially well to footwear and apparel — a clear articulation of where the brand’s visual language could comfortably exist in a more mass, athletic realm.
A more important tie-up was McLaren, the British company renowned for its high-performance cars. This history of speed and luxury was translated by McLaren into a fashion without parallel in the Rhude x McLaren capsule collection with both ready-to-wear piece apparel, accessories, and more. The release was a success with some of the car community and fashion heads alike, only further solidifying Rhude’s name as one that could dip into both ponds accurately.
So Much Has Rhude Done FOR the Fashion Industry
Rhude has powered through its stylish designs and celebrity fittings to changes in the fashion industry. The brand has been a huge player in streetwear’s wider recognition and evolution as an accepted category within luxury fashion. Streetwear was often treated as a flash-in-the-pan fad of youth culture and pushed aside to the margins in previous decades. Brands such as Rhude, though, have pushed the envelope of traditional streetwear, solidifying the black and red palette for a real high-fashion play.
The success of Villaseñor’s Rhude has also spurred a wave of weaning young designers who, too, see the value in merging streetwear with high fashion. And with the brand’s growth has shown that you can still be global and represent your roots and life. This is a message that many designers resonate with the young looking to make an imprint on the industry for themselves while holding onto their vision. Shop the newest Rhude Shorts.
Rhude In The Long Run: Where Does the Brand Go From Here?
While the Rhude brand is still on its steep upward trajectory, there are no signs of slowing down. Villaseñor has also said he wants to evolve Rhude into new categories, including a womenswear and accessories line. For Rhude, this reach would be expanded, thus propagating its role in the luxury streetwear industry.
Rhude is committed to broadening its product offering to extend its global reach further. The brand is already on this selling through some of the industry’s finest, including SSENSE, MR PORTER, and Barney’s New York. Rhude is positioned to take over the fashion world globally with continued retail partnerships and relentless exploration in new territories.
Rhude: Redefining Modern Luxury Streetwear
Rhude went from being a small independent to a modern-day cultural stronghold, an example of how important authenticity // innovation is. Rhuigi Villaseñor has found a following by staying true to his vision and rejecting traditional fashion norms, which speaks volumes about marketing toward one united human tribe. Rhude – Fusing street culture and high fashion, but is more elegant than cool. The leading brand that has reshaped what it means to be stylish in the present time, as well as opened the gate for new designers of the future who dare cross the border.
As the fashion industry changes, Rhude will undoubtedly continue to carve a path for luxury streetwear. From its unique aesthetics to the use of celebrities and innovative partnerships, Rhude is a powerhouse that is not going anywhere soon, and something tells me we will be seeing its footprint in fashion for years to come.
