And what if the star you sought for hope turned out to be nothing more than one of the thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth?For Rhuigi Villaseñor of Rhude, it would have mattered little. “If I made it here, and it happened to be an artificial North Star, then this path is one of those things I’ve created,” he said behind the scenes. This is what he wanted to symbolize with the satellite model hanging above the runway this season, a model he described as a time of recentering and solidification for the nine-year-old label, after a tumultuous 2023.
An excursion into the English countryside where he found himself without a phone signal marked the beginning of this collection, in which he overlaid the idea of a hunting retreat, preppy Ivy League tropes, and American utility. This lent credibility to Villaseñor’s desire to signal that Rhude has a broader scope than the sporty and casual fare for which it is known. This was clearly mapped out in a nonchalant and cool range that transitioned from youth and outdoor to gentleness and softness, supported by Villaseñor’s talent for skimming body proportions.
The looks seamlessly shifted from leather jackets and letterman styles with a vintage feel paired with roomy jeans and cargo pants, to elegant workwear and tailoring that had the ease of pajamas. This was further reinforced by the eyewear most models wore and the plethora of shoe styles ranging from sneakers and loafers to Western boots and slouchy suede ones he cheekily referred to as “dehydrated Uggs.” A bold economy was telegraphed through vintage finishes or those over-the-top fur coats – reused vintage, he was quick to point out.
This time, he draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the English countryside, infusing the collection with the optimism of the American Dream. The show’s set exudes an ominous vibe, resembling a scene from space, complete with a robotic camera reminiscent of the Mars Rover on the runway. As a satellite descends from the ceiling, it establishes the tone for Rhuigi’s dream collection—a satellite of love. In previous seasons, RHUDE has been a canvas reflecting the designer’s personal journey since arriving in Los Angeles. Season after season, it seamlessly blends American iconography with nostalgic references, offering a visual commentary on modern Los Angeles style and its surrounding subcultures.
This contributed to making the outcome feel familiar and appealing. While the designer admitted he wasn’t reinventing the wheel, this streetwise and skater-influenced savvy energy infused into the range, along with the current and cohesive individual pieces, made the collection stand out. Rhuigi Villaseñor revealed his RHUDE Fall/Winter 2024 collection at Paris Fashion Week, captivating a room filled with industry giants and critics.
This collection finds a harmonious balance between American fashion and the traditional countryside, integrating classic English suiting and tailoring motifs into the contemporary menswear silhouette. The color palette mirrors the soft pastel shades of the English countryside, featuring lavender, sage green, and sky blue, punctuated with pops of red and golden yellow. This combination evokes both vibrancy and tranquility simultaneously. In signature RHUDE style, oversized blazers with dramatic lapels are paired with denim jeans and quarter-zip sweaters. Additionally, full sets of leather on leather and denim on denim make a striking appearance on the runway.