American fashion brand, R13 was created by New Yorker Chris Leba. It was in 2009, after working in major American houses, that he launched his brand with inspirations which are also his passions: English punk, the 90s in the United States and its rock and grunge trend, embodied by Nirvana for example.
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R13 is a New York-based ready-to-wear brand that defies the conventions of traditional luxury fashion. Dive into the world of this brand that has been resonating with grunge for 15 years.
Chris Leba began his career at major American fashion houses such as Tommy Hilfiger, American Eagle Outfitters, and Polo Ralph Lauren, where he remained for over 19 years. In the fall of 2009, while seeking new challenges, he decided to leverage the expertise he had acquired by creating his own company. So, alongside his work at Ralph Lauren, he decided to found his own ready-to-wear brand: R13. Initially, he remained anonymous, wishing to keep his identity secret so as not to allow the two worlds to collide. After resigning from his position as vice president at Ralph Lauren, he decided to come out into the open during his first fashion show in 2016.
The designer draws inspiration from his passions: punk culture and grunge. His influence is primarily linked to music, including the alternative bands that were very popular in the 80s and 90s, such as The Clash, Joy Division, and Nirvana. Behind R13, Chris Leba captures the essence of this era, transforming it into a constantly evolving trend.
Behind the name R13 lies a meaning closely linked to America's founding history. It refers to the "Join or Die" flag of the American Revolutionary War, depicting a rattlesnake cut into thirteen pieces, symbolizing the thirteen British colonies in America. Thus, R13 is an abbreviation of the thirteen "rattlesnakes."
In an exclusive interview with La Grande Boutique, Chris Leba tells us, "The flag represents this need for unity to create the Union, regardless of the differences between the colonies, this struggle for independence. That was the metaphorical vision I had for R13. I wanted to represent the contrast of American beliefs, opinions, and style, but also show that we all come together for the love of freedom, expression, and ideas."
R13 has earned a solid reputation for its subversive approach and unconventional aesthetic that deconstructs traditional fashion norms. The brand celebrates the rebellious spirit of the “Other America.” Since its inception, it has distinguished itself by offering quality pieces with a provocative, nonchalant, and casual attitude that appeals to the bold.
R13 stands out for its avant-garde aesthetic that fuses touches of punk, grunge, and streetwear, resulting in a raw and urban style. The brand has moved away from classic silhouettes to offer loose-fitting garments with unstructured, often androgynous cuts. At R13, the boundaries of gender are so porous that the pieces can be worn by both men and women. It advocates total freedom of sartorial expression, encouraging its customers to make clothes their own.
R13 presents an eclectic mix of creations: a large leopard-print cashmere cardigan and skinny jeans for a timeless look; oversized silhouettes, asymmetrical cuts, and deliberately distressed garments for a rebellious attitude.
The designs quickly attracted the attention of celebrities. Public figures such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham have been seen wearing R13 creations, helping to strengthen its brand image.
One of R13's signature elements is undoubtedly denim. Chris Leba has made jeans a central element of his brand. How? By reinterpreting this iconic piece through innovative cuts. The brand's premium jeans are made from Italian and Japanese denim and produced in specialized factories in Italy and Japan. R13 jeans are often ripped, faded, and distressed to create a worn-in effect.
Among the most popular styles, the crossover jean is a bestseller, recognizable by its asymmetrical closure creating a quirky effect. It can be worn casually with sneakers and a printed T-shirt for a casual-chic look.
For a loose and relaxed silhouette, boyfriend jeans add a loose feel to an outfit. This style is ideal for an effortless look, complemented with an oversized sweater and black heeled leather ankle boots.
R13 Denim is the iconic jeans brand, fashionable and on-trend. But it's not just denim. It also offers a full line of clothing from the R13 Collection.
While fashion is constantly evolving, R13 manages to reinvent itself while remaining true to its original spirit. Collection after collection, the designer continues to find inspiration in the aesthetics of his favorite idols with printed T-shirts, which we love to wear with oversized hoodies. The brand also offers reinvented solid pieces, like the versatile and decidedly trendy Boxy Seamless T-shirt. It's becoming almost essential in any wardrobe, as it's so easy to accessorize.
R13 also offers rock-style pieces like leather jackets, as well as more urban clothing, such as sweatshirts or joggers for a sporty look. Finally, the shirt, a key piece of grunge style, can be worn in a thousand and one ways. This timeless classic allows you to add a rebellious touch and express your personality with style and comfort.
R13 offers a wide selection of shoes, from sneakers to boots to pumps. High-top platform sneakers perfectly finish off a casual look, adding a touch of boldness and height. Boots, meanwhile, exude a rock vibe and are highly versatile, adapting equally well to casual outfits or more sophisticated styles. To add a chic touch to an outfit, the Foldback shirt, paired with a pair of heeled pumps, adds a touch of elegance and character, ideal for a businesswoman look.
