Raghavendra Rathore

A member of the Jodhpur royal family.. Raghavendra Rathore set up his eponymous menswear brand to help drive a holistic vision of luxury fashion inspired by the old world idea of design in Jodhpur, India. Add to this his training in fashion design at Parsons School of Design- New York and internship with Donna Karan New York and Oscar de la Renta. Today the luxury fashion brand is acclaimed for its menswear steeped in Rajasthan traditional design presented in globally relevant styles. Always keeping abreast of the times.. Raghavendra Rathore is also the first designer in India to drop his personal art and brand memorabilia into NFTs.

Raghavendra Rathore- a member of the Jodhpur royal family historically- hails from a lineage of innovation, simplicity, passion and vision. From a young age, he learnt about design sensibilities from his great-grandfather- the Maharaja of Jodhpur- credited to have been the most well dressed monarch of his time and one who invented the Jodhpur-style Safa and popularised the long printed Achkans. His Grandmother- sister of the Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Man Singh II- was admired for her elegant style.

As a young man just out of school, Rathore's creative thirst led him to Vermont where he studied Renaissance art and its great masters. He diversified from art to fashion design by joining Parsons School of Design New York where a structured design curriculum strengthened focused on ‘design-through-fashion’.  Soon after Rathore's proficiency in fashion design earned him jobs with Donna Karan New York and Oscar de la Renta. The dichotomy of their designs taught him a valuable lesson about the avant-garde flexibility required to retail high-fashion.

A passionate believer in the age-old connection between culture and fashion-it was the cultural manifestation of the need to dress that informed Rathore's design aesthetic. In 1994, the twenty seven year old returned home and launched Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur: a label he dedicated to his dynasty and the historical city of his birth. With heritage as his inspiration Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur began its journey with a small store at New Delhi. The aesthetics of the luxury brand is inspired by his native Jodhpur as he borrows elements from the holistic luxury and regal aura of Rajasthan- offering classic designs with a contemporary spin.

Raghavendra Rathore's philosophy of experimental couture was evident at India Bridal Fashion Week 2013 where he took a leaf of opulent glamour—zardozi-embellished velvets in regal shades of wine and deep blue—and combined it with suiting fabrics for an avant-garde look. His bent of mind to challenge the popular perception of style resulted in a complete sellout.

Today Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur is considered the Mecca of custom-made Bandhgalas, gem-encrusted silk dhotis and sherwanis which led to the couturier's name being inked in the pages of Indian fashion history. His luxury label symbolizes culture as much as it does modern menswear fashion and the two combine to celebrate India's rich heritage. This fact was acknowledged by the Rajasthan state government which honored him with an award for heritage promotion. The Rathore Look embodies class and good taste that mirrors regal flamboyance. Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2019.

Seamlessly weaving stories of the past into the present through design, the brand has made its mark in the luxury space. At the heart of the luxury fashion brand lies classic menswear particularly the Jodhpur Bandhgala. The design aesthetic is one of stylish simplicity that revolutionised Indian fashion design in the country. Serving as a global ambassador of this iconic lineage and legacy that the world first thinks of when they think of Indian Luxury.

In recent times Raghavendra Rathore launched his youthful pret line RR Blue. Per GQ: "RR Blue extends the bespoke brand’s classic appeal with a youthful approach to present a fresh take on contemporary clothing. From easy shapes to eye-catching prints, the line is for those on the go. Think travel-friendly silhouettes and breathable cotton pieces for road trips and relaxed getaways alike… the transitional line promises the unmatched craftsmanship of Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur but at affordable price points."

In 2021 Raghavendra Rathore became the first designer in India to drop some of his personal art and brand memorabilia into NFTs- per GQ. "Launched in association with FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week the aim is to raise awareness for the work the Raghavendra Rathore Foundation– a registered non-government organisation– is doing. Available for purchase on Wazir, part of the proceeds will go to the RRF fund. And, the first one sold out within ten minutes of the launch."

With a design aesthetic that gears to the classics and clean modern lines with a tinge of heritage, his training at the Parsons School of Design and later at the Atelier of DKNY and Oscar de la Renta gave Raghavendra Rathore an edge on how to set up his own luxury menswear business in India with the bespoke bent of mind.

Raghavendra Rathore believes that fashion never dies.. it just reinvents itself from era to era. This philosophy led him to take on the  challenge of reinventing the wheel and he resurrected the old Bandhgala jacket and gave it a new avatar. The magic of his style lay in its cuts that added panache to the Bandhgala's legacy. Worn by royalty and nobility over generations, Rathore Classic Bandhgala makes a global fashion statement even today.

Raghavendra Rathore's philosophy of experimental couture was evident at India Bridal Fashion Week 2013 where he took a leaf of opulent glamour—zardozi-embellished velvets in regal shades of wine and deep blue—and combined it with suiting fabrics for an avant-garde look. His bent of mind to challenge the popular perception of style resulted in a complete sellout.

Rathore's show for India Bridal Fashion Week 2014 established quite a few men's trends. Per Explosive Fashion: 'If this show's an indication of trends the silk Dhoti is the forerunner. Cut with minimalist precision, it looked regal worn with embroidered Bandhgalas and Bandhgala Achcans. We also liked the long waistcoat worn with a humble kurta-pajama. To temper the vintage vibe of kantha and zardozi, the Dhoti was embellished with bugle bead embroidery with crystals and gemstones on the hem or geometric hand-woven designs. That balance between vulnerability and strength is quintessential Rathore.'