There’s nothing like witnessing an army of six-foot glamazons sauntering down New York’s sidewalks to inadvertently shame you into upping your skinny jeans game, and, conveniently, denim stalwart Rag & Bone is here to help you do just that. Marcus Wainwright and David Neville opened the brand’s first store on Christopher Street in 2008, focusing on clean silhouettes with an urban, downtown aesthetic. The label prides itself on manufacturing locally, further enhancing its New York-insider vibe. The brand’s Nolita store features three separate interconnecting concepts – a dedicated denim shop, shoe parlor and a womenwear boutique, stocked with Rag & Bone’s latest collection of ready-to-wear. Take the plunge and expose yourself to the wall of jeans, propped under rows of colorful skinnies hanging from hooks among the more traditional distressed blue styles. The store itself is kitted out with artifacts of an industrial, factory era gone-by – think antique sewing machines, exposed brick, wood beams, brass light fixtures and custom walnut shelving. When Rag & Bone first opened the location in 2010, angry locals graffitied the side of the building, prompting the designers to host a revolving band of street artists to use the wall as their blank canvas. Be sure to check out the latest mural on the Elizabeth Street side, and also the adjacent wall slab across the road on the corner of Bowery and Houston.
Reimagining the concept of American staples for the streets, the designer’s latest collection delivered a fresh take on the brand’s signature appeal, serving up a range of college-inspired pieces such as varsity jackets, anoraks and oversized sweaters. Rag & Bone’s cult following as ‘the’ ultimate insider New York-brand was reaffirmed via designer Marcus Wainwright’s first solo showing following the departure of David Neville, which featured a line of trademark slouchy shirt-dressing, athletic sweats, striped suiting and breezy floral slip dresses. Grab one of the label’s trademark fedoras for an instant boost to your street cred.
