Zara + Rhuigi Villaseñor Disrupt Menswear Codes with RHU Collection

The Fashionisto

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Published May 16, 2022

Finlay Mangan, Luca Fersko, Alex Wynter, Tanner Reese, Hubert Smielecki, Geun Woo Lee, Alfredo Diaz, and Bodien Kagenaar front the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign.Pin
Finlay Mangan, Luca Fersko, Kailand Morris, Tanner Reese, Hubert Smielecki, Geun Woo Lee, Alfredo Diaz, and Bodien Kagenaar front the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Photo Credit: Hugo Comte

Zara introduces RHU, a new collaboration with Rhude founder Rhuigi Villaseñor. The acronym RHU stands for “Redesigning Human Uniform.” Villasenor brings a new philosophy to Zara, aiming to go beyond traditional menswear codes and allow for freedom of expression through style. Finally, the RHU collection blurs the distinctions between sportswear, luxury, and streetwear.

Luca Fersko, Finlay Mangan, Tanner Reese, Bodien Kagenaar, Hubert Smielecki, Kai Isaiah Jamal, Kailand Morris, Alfredo Diaz, and Alex Wynter appear in the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign.Pin
Luca Fersko, Finlay Mangan, Tanner Reese, Bodien Kagenaar, Hubert Smielecki, Kai Isaiah Jamal, Kailand Morris, Alfredo Diaz, and Alex Wynter appear in the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Photo Credit: Hugo Comte

Rhuigi x Zara RHU Collection

Rhuigi Villaseñor discusses the RHU idea. “I’ve always felt a strong affinity for creating well-made products that are not defined by price,” Villaseñor says. As a result, Zara provides the ideal channel for a new brand like RHU to offer high-quality, value-added products.

Related: ZARA REFINES ITS ESSENTIALS WITH NEW ORIGINS COLLECTION

Bodien Kagenaar, Hubert Smielecki, Alfredo Diaz, Finlay Mangan, and Alex Wynter stars in the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Pin
Bodien Kagenaar, Hubert Smielecki, Alfredo Diaz, Finlay Mangan, and Kailand Morris star in the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Photo Credit: Hugo Comte

Rhuigi Villaseñor draws inspiration for his sportswear collection from the origins of the Ivy League style. Within this context, sportswear served as an extension of leisure, with a pivotal role in wellness, culture, and art creation. Therefore, RHU deviates from traditional clothing classifications, blurring the distinctions between casual and dressy.

Tanner Reese, Alex Wynter, Hubert Smielecki, and Kai Isaiah Jamal come together for the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Pin
Tanner Reese, Kailand Morris, Hubert Smielecki, and Kai Isaiah Jamal come together for the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Photo Credit: Hugo Comte

The RHU collection includes 57 pieces ranging from moto-inspired shirting and crested varsity jackets to base layer leggings and wide-leg track pants. “The successor of athleisure is going to be a style of dressing where all the existing genres are broken down and mixed to shape something much more eclectically individual,” Rhuigi Villaseñor explains.

Hubert Smielecki, Kai Isaiah Jamal, Bodien Kagenaar, Alfredo Diaz, and Geun Woo Lee star in the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Pin
Hubert Smielecki, Kai Isaiah Jamal, Bodien Kagenaar, Alfredo Diaz, and Geun Woo Lee star in the Rhuigi x Zara RHU collection campaign. Photo Credit: Hugo Comte

“This RHU collection is my expression of that–an open-source, democratic sportswear.” The designer continues, “Redesigning Human Uniform is about evolving towards a new inclusive expression of sportswear that’s inspired by spirit and is accessible to all. And I can’t think of a better company to have partnered with in building this project than Zara.”

Rhuigi x Zara RHU Collection Lookbook


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