Raghavendra Rathore

Early life and career

Rathore was born and raised in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and is a member of the royal family of Jodhpur; he is a cousin of Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur. He studied in Jodhpur until the age of eight. After his school was bombed during the Indo-Pak war, he was sent off to the Mayo College boarding school in Ajmer, where he finished his intermediate schooling. Soon after, he set sail to the US, where he studied a variety of liberal arts from anthropology, astronomy, modern American fiction, and robotics at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He then studied arts and philosophy at the Marlboro College in Vermont, and went on to graduate from the Parsons School of Design in New York City, in 1992. After graduating from Parsons, Rathore went to work for Donna Karan as an assistant designer for DKNY. He then worked at the high design atelier of Oscar de la Renta, and was an assistant to de la Renta. He worked in Paris with de la Renta, when de la Renta was hired to design for the house of Pierre Balmain.

RR labels

Raghavendra Rathore is a luxury label specializing in men's bespoke, ready-to-wear and accessories. It is available only in Raghavendra Rathore boutiques. Launched in 1994, the label is synonymous with the Jodhpuri Bandhgala suits that he has meticulously, nurtured, evolved and made famous internationally. Driven by a holistic vision of luxury and inspired by the old world regalia of Rajasthan in India, the offering is classic with clean and modern sensibilities, cutting across the borders and corners of the world. Going forward, the brand wants to reach out globally to let people experience what classic "Indian style" is really about, while conforming to global luxury standards.

Imperial India Company is the second brand of the Rathore family, and features-ready-to wear and accessories. The company aspires to provide the most comprehensive selection of Indo-western clothing. It picks only the classiest attire from both these worlds and enhances it with the renowned deft cut that gives the outfits that "royal edge”. The brand's outstanding history of bespoke that has made its flagship world famous is clearly visible in this ready-to-wear range which exudes the same panache, but has a friendlier price tag. The label believes that the modern gentleman of style possesses the flair to mix tailored garments with mass products, exclusiveness and practicality. A long pin-tuck white kurta with waistcoat, black buttons and pocket "hank" is just as acceptable a polo cocktail outfit as a made to measure bandhgala or blazer worn over denims. For them, dressing well, or like a "gentleman", is not equated with stubborn conservatism and therefore, innovations that prove their worth by looking dashing and cool, find acceptance in the brand's flamboyant wardrobe.

Gurukul School of Design is the best fashion designing institute in India, with a unique learning program delivered by eminent international and Indian faculty. Located in the vibrant and historic city of Jaipur, GSD offers a unique fashion design program. Embracing every aspect of fashion design, fashion merchandising, fashion marketing and management, this one of a kind program also includes courses in well-being, making it a truly holistic learning experience. The Gurukul School of Design teaches the value of culture through its interpretation of the Gurukul way of life, and imparts specialised knowledge to students to become entrepreneurs as soon as they graduate. The curriculum has been designed by Rathore himself along with international and local experts, and stresses the deeper maturity of design, the ability to visualise and market a creative idea with modern communication tools, the business acumen behind the idea, and most importantly the Gurukul way of life. The course spans four years. The location of the campus in Jaipur gives students immediate access to handicrafts, endless textiles and techniques. The institute also aims to provide a new way of thinking design and provide a sound and a holistic education.

The Rathore team has expanded its horizon within the design sphere by conceptualizing, designing and executing the décor for weddings and other events. The Jodhpur Design Company was born out of this ideology. The intent is to work hand in hand with the clients’ vision that is juxtaposed with the brand's aesthetic to emulate a resonating, signature end result that exudes absolute finesse.

Heritage Hotels include Ajit Bhawan Hotel, a 75 room hotel in Jodhpur meticulously managed and aesthetically designed. The second hotel, Narlai, is situated an hour and a half out of Jodhpur en route to Udaipur. Both the properties are family homes which have been converted and renovated to host guests from all over the world.

Awards

Uniform and costume design

Rathore's uniform design department has designed uniforms for various corporate and private institutions across the globe, including:

Philanthropy

With a notion of giving back to society, Raghavendra Rathore has started a foundation which is dedicated to Maharaj Swaroop Singh's lifelong ambition to help the underprivileged. The Raghavendra Rathore Foundation (RRF) aims to use design as a tool to help the disadvantaged section of society. Some of its most luxurious products are designed and manufactured by an inclusive scheme where the underprivileged were involved to help put the products together, a humanitarian initiative that offers employment options by promoting rural handicraft.