[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he New York based brand, Rag & Bone, now well into its tenth year, has grown at an impressive rate since its launch in 2002. The British natives and founders, David Neville, Marcus Wainwright and Nathan Bogle expanded beyond their original denim line to include full men and women’s wear lines by 2005.
Bogle left the company in 2006 in a move that one might imagine must have been undoubtedly painful as he watched the company grow significantly and begin to receive national recognition. Neville and Wainwright received the 2007 CFDA award for Men’s Wear Designer of the Year and the Award for Emerging Talent in Menswear design. Shortly after Bogle’s exit, Rag and Bone soon launched successful additions including men and women’s accessories, and shoes, and in 2010 the launch of 3 women’s “companion lines” simply titled /JEAN/SHIRT/KNIT.
Not to be confused, Bogle did not simply sit around after leaving Rag and Bone, where he sold his entire stake. When asked about it now the designer expresses no regret in regards to his exit from Rag and Bone, nor does he feel “pressure to live up to his former brand’s remarkable recent success”. Over the years Bogle worked on several projects including the creation of NB Associates, his own consulting firm. He took a brief leave from fashion in November 2010, when he was brought on board as partner at the film and television production company Artful Dodger. If his plate was not full enough, Bogle returned to the world of male modeling, making appearances in several seasons of the J.Crew Catalogue, and the 2009 and 2010 campaign for UK based street chain Next.
Six years since heading and designing for his own company Bogle, now 37, is back in the ring with the launch of his men’s line Jardine, set to launch this spring. Bogle’s lack of fear in regards to being compared to the line he co-created 10 years ago makes sense when looking at Bogle’s new collection; there are practically no connections to be made between the two brands. While Rag and Bone’s roots are tied to the vintage utilitarian aesthetic, there is no denim in sight in Jardine’s unapologetically stream lined, modern, pieces. He explains his design reformation, “Back then, I was really inspired by Americana and denim. I’m a different person now and I’m responding to something fresher and cleaner…an uncluttered look.”
The line, while containing some casual pieces like his brightly colored polo shirts, and graphic T-shirts, is designed for the dapper man. Jardine’s debut will include, amongst other things, suit separates, dress pants offered in two cuts, and dress shirts. The line uses both natural fibers (tropical weight wool, 120s cotton) and synthetic fabrics (viscose, polyester) creating looks that are “sleek in silhouette” with “a touch of eighties exuberance”.
Bogle’s re-entry into design is a skillfully calculated one; He serves as his own fit model, sells the line to retailers directly with help from the contacts he created at Rag and Bone, and sees the growth possibilities in today’s menswear market. He goes on to explain, “The men’s wear category right now is very exciting, as it’s growing by leapsand bounds…the opportunity to introduce new product is there.”
Photos courtesy of Womens Wear Daily
