Luxury Retailer Launches In-House Menswear Line
British luxury shopping destination MATCHESFASHION.COM has launched a new in-house menswear collection titled Raey, adding to its edit of over 400 established and emerging designers. Created by an in-house design team led by Creative Director Rachael Proud (formerly of Christopher Kane and Topshop), Raey is rooted in the belief that contemporary classics should form the core of any well-dressed man’s wardrobe. The line puts subtle and unexpected twists on enduring menswear staples, from the crew neck T-shirt to chino shorts. “Our aim with the first collection was to start with pieces that men are familiar with, but introduce them to new fabrications and fit details – for example, we’ve taken a simple tracksuit and rendered it in cashmere,” says Proud.
Raey Menswear: SS15 Collection
Timed to perfection, Raey’s debut collection is perfectly in sync with menswear’s current appetite for easy, loungewear-inspired styles. Overall, it’s a tight edit of leisurewear classics rendered in luxurious materials and a predominantly neutral palette of navy, ivory and grey, complemented with striking shots of cobalt and yellow. Comprising outerwear, sweatshirts, shirts, T-shirts, trousers and jeans, Raey strikes a careful balance between minimal and of the moment, mixing timeless pieces with a few nods to current season trends, such as pinstripe trousers, slouchy overcoats and tailored track pants. As Simon Chilvers, Men’s Style Director at MATCHESFASHION.COM, puts it: “The first season of Raey is about bringing together a concise edit of wardrobe ideas, designed to balance fashion’s current mood with core menswear pieces.”
Raey Debut Collection: FashionBeans Highlights
Giving some of the most basic menswear pieces interesting treatments is, we’ve discovered, what Raey does best. Take, for example, the chest pocket textured T-shirt (£150) in ivory: a well-executed alternative to the plain white crew neck tee. Crafted from a viscose-linen blend, its lightness – in every sense of the word – makes it a must-own for the warmer months ahead, while subtle details such as an inseam chest pocket and silver-tone metal zip at the back of the neck give this wardrobe staple a sportswear-inspired edge:
Tastefully incorporating one of SS15’s key trends, Raey’s straight-leg pinstripe cotton shorts (£125) are a modern rendition of what sportswear originally meant, long before sports luxe became a buzzword. Made from sturdy cotton twill and featuring a straight cut that finishes just above the knee, these can take you from beach to bar with ease. Team them with a lightweight sweatshirt and trainers during the day and sub in a sharp blazer, shirt and loafers once the sun has gone down:
Firmly at the smarter end of the spectrum, the two-button zigzag jacquard blazer (£395) brings an interesting textural twist to an age-old classic. Featuring notch lapels, a single vent and navy satin lining, this piece manages to be minimal while still boasting some distinctive premium details. Whether teamed with the collection’s matching straight-leg zigzag jacquard shorts as a summer-ready shorts suit or worn with a pair of pastel trousers/chinos, this Italian-made jacket is ideal for staying smart while the sun’s shining:
Key Pieces
- Raey Suede Biker Jacket
- Raey Chest-pocket Cotton Shirt
- Raey Classic Crew-neck Cashmere Sweater
- Raey Wool And Cashmere-blend Overcoat
- Raey Pinstripe Cotton Chinos
- Raey Textured Short-length Boiler Suit
- Raey Deep Turn-up Straight-leg Jeans
- Raey Wool And Casmere-blend Blanket Cardigan
- Raey Classic Cashmere Cardigan
Shop the full collection at MATCHESFASHION.COM.
Final Word
With several current menswear trends – from sports luxe to minimalist utility wear – vying for our attention at the moment, it can be difficult to navigate the market’s huge offering. Raey cherry-picks the best of these influences, seamlessly blending several points of reference to create a collection of high quality, modern classics. It’s the very essence of contemporary, affordable luxury. Prices range from £65 for a raglan-sleeve cotton-jersey t-shirt to £995 for a suede biker jacket. You can shop the collection exclusively at MATCHESFASHION.COM now. 
