There are very few designers who can claim to say that they have changed the cultural fabric of a country. Raghavendra Rathore can. This Indian couturier promoted ‘Indian’ in menswear, way before it became uber cool to wear bandhgala jackets – also called Nehru jackets – at weddings. He popularised the Jodhpur style breeches which are inspired by the polo uniform. He bought elements out of royal closets to bring them mainstream, and let every Indian man feel like royalty. After all, he belongs to the royal family of Jodhpur himself.
There is much to Mr. Rathore than what meets the eye. Not resting on his lineage only, Mr. Rathore’s journey has been enriched by a profound educational background. Starting from the prestigious Mayo College in Ajmer, he went on to attend Hampshire College in Massachusetts, where he delved into the depths of liberal arts. This was followed by a curriculum in Renaissance Arts at Marlboro College in Vermont, where fate revealed his true calling—design. In 1992, Mr. Rathore graduated from the renowned Parsons School of Design. Soon after, he began his career assisting Donna Karan on her iconic DKNY label, moving on to creating masterpieces for the house of Pierre Balmain, working with Oscar de la Renta in Paris.
Eventually, in 1994, Mr. Rathore returned to his ancestral home of Jodhpur, India, and started his eponymous brand, ‘Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur’. Mr. Rathore’s design sensibility goes beyond trends, instead creating timeless creations. His precise tailoring, cuts and sleek silhouettes are as much a result of his trained eye as the scissor. He offers a unique, stately style that not many can emulate. It is quiet luxury indeed, that speaks loud nevertheless.
Mr. Rathore has not just been busy with clothing. He has lent his oeuvre to multiple other brands and categories. Mr. Rathore has designed costumes for films like The Gray Man, Oh My God, and Khoobsurat; he has designed the grand, breath-taking lobby of Suryagarh, Jaisalmer; he has created a range of luxury rugs with Obeetee; and he has designed outfits for India’s Border Security Force (BSF).
As is characteristic of royals, Mr. Rathore is not boisterous when it comes to media. Much is known about his work, but not many truly know him. So we decided to delve into his personal pursuits and thoughts – just a tad little bit. During his free time, Mr. Rathore indulges in horseback riding, classical music, and his collection of rare vintage watches. And there’s more below.
LuxuryFacts: What did you want to become as a child?
Raghavendra Rathore: I’ve always been fascinated by the seclusion of jungles, and the idea of exploring the Rudyard Kipling India in some form of an expedition or travels. So a storyteller perhaps.
What was the life experience that impacted you the most? How and why?
Exploring India with my father and spending most of my childhood with tribal people in the interiors of India. What fascinated me is the ability and the inclination to survive in the harshest areas of the desert with rich resources and a primitive sense of design.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
To remain curious, resilient and invest in yourself early.
What was the last thing that made you genuinely laugh?
Watching Russell Peters.
What is the most exciting part of your workday?
The mornings, as it is a treacherous, unpredictable and full of surprise starts, every day, in the world of bespoke.
How do you decompress?
Netflix, jungles, working with my charity.
What was the first thing you thought about this morning?
Gratitude, another opportunity to create, inspire and make a difference.
What is the last thing you do before going to bed?
Research stocks, watch 60 Minutes, catch up with the news.
What is the one luxury item or service you can’t live without?
iPhone ProMax
What is the meaning of life?
A journey of experiences, consolidation and legacy building.
What’s love?
An important emotion in life.
What are you most afraid of?
Tragedy, decay, a lack of creativity.
What is one existential, difficult-to-answer question you wished you knew the right response to?
What will be the state of design in the next 10 years?
