Historic label Rudi Gernreich announces its relaunch

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Aug 31, 2018

Rudi Gernreich, the eponymous brand of the late designer whose work shocked and captivated the fashion world throughout the 60s and 70s, has announced its re-launch today. 

The debut, which was first teased in 2012, is the group effort of CEO and founder Matthias Kind and artistic directors Camilla Nickerson and Neville Wakefield. In homage to Gernreich's place in history as a radical public figure - an immigrant, a supporter of sexual freedom, the creator of the monokini, the thong and unisex apparel, and an outspoken advocate for gay rights - the brand will re-launch by subverting a slogan once used to protest the designer: "Help Stamp Out Rudi Gernreich. Help Keep America Beautiful." 

The main Rudi Gernreich Autumn/Winter 2018 line consists of Italian-made knitwear cutaway dresses, balaclava-vests, sweaters and jumpsuits in a range of black, red and cream, as well as swimwear. 

The brand will also launch capsule collections and collaborative lines with a variety of artists, who will interpret Gernreich's legacy through clothing design. The two debut artist collections have been made in partnership with Los Angeles-based knitwear artist Lisa Anne Auerback and Paris-based choreographer Cecilia Bengolea. 

Born in Austria in 1922, Rudi Gernreich first discovered his love of fashion in 1937, when he attented Cristobal Balenciaga's first couture show. Later, when the Nazis occupied his home country, Gernreich became a refugee in Los Angeles, California. There, his decade-long career as a dancer sparked his appreciation for the human body that would later inspire his designs. 

“Even though Rudi outraged America with his radical claims 60 years ago, America was open to a European refugee and his philosophies and principles of liberation," the brand said in a press release. "That’s the moment we need to be celebrating now and the time could not be more relevant to restore Rudi’s legacy to it’s rightful place amongst the pantheon of great designers.” 

Pieces from the Rudi Gernreich x Lisa Anne Auerbach collection can be found at Opening Ceremony in SoHo, along with a special in-store installation by the artist on display through September 7.