The last few months have been the busiest period to date. There’s been plenty of new work coming out of the studio, and when looking back at everything releasing, I think I’m starting to see a clearer picture of where I want the brand to go.
Last week, I released the Pocket Sweatshirt, College Pleated Shorts and two new colour ways of the Button Hat. Whilst also continuing to develop new products and stay on top of all the recent orders. It’s been a nice mix of developing completely new garments, revisiting silhouettes I’ve already established, and experimenting with new fabrics.
The Pocket Sweatshirt was probably one of the bigger shifts for me. A lot of MACRAE has been built around heavier denims, drills/twills, so introducing a lighter and softer fabric changed the way I was thinking about the future of the brand. It was born from continued exploration of my design inspirations, being workwear and vintage clothes, and wanting to fill ‘gaps’ in my own personal wardrobe.
The College Pleated Shorts followed a similar path, but with its own twist. The wide silhouette, stitched double pleats and reclaimed pocket bags are all details that are very familiar. However, this product is actually developed from my first ever release, the School Shorts. Revisiting a design after almost two years of growth, led me to finding new solutions and overall, a better product.
There’s a temptation, especially when running a clothing brand, to constantly come up with the next thing. A new silhouette, a new fabric, a new collection, a new reason to release something. But I think there’s something more valuable in finding the pieces that work and continuing to develop them. Changing the fabric, adjusting the proportions, introducing a new colour way or simply making the garment better over time.
Now, onto the next release, the Studio Wide Denim.
I’ve been working on these behind the scenes for two years and they’re set to release later this month. They’re another step in developing the diffusion line Macrae Denim. An outlet to explore and develop a hobby of mine, which is denim!
There’s something about raw denim that makes a garment feel like it’s only really beginning its life once it leaves the studio. The way it changes with wear, the marks it picks up and the way it eventually becomes completely individual to the person - similarly to how naturally dyed fabrics fade overtime!
Looking at all of these pieces together, I think what excites me most is that they don’t necessarily feel like completely separate ideas. The Pocket Sweatshirt, College Pleated Shorts, Button Hats and Studio Wide Raw Denim all come from slightly different places, but they’re starting to feel like parts of the same wardrobe.
There’s still a lot more I want to explore, but I’m enjoying where things are heading.
Sincerely,
R
Wonderful words. We are so proud of everything you are achieving. Keep it up.❤️
You’re incredible man. You’ve got something really special, and coming right out of Brisvegas too!