The building in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District where we find Rag & Bone also houses Christy Turlington and Craig McDean’s offices. Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, the designers of the label, have taken over three floors, a change from the midtown space where they worked in 2006, just three employees unpacking boxes and shipping UPS.
“Back then, we were fighting for our lives, doing everything on our own,” says Neville. The two childhood friends now sit next to each other at desks from the old spot. “We should probably upgrade.” There’s been a lot of expansion going on as Neville and Wainwright have opened shops in Georgetown and Boston. In New York alone, there’s the flagship on Christopher Street, as well as Soho and Nolita locations. It was during a meeting set up as part of the CFDA/Fashion Fund program, that the two met mentor Ralph Lauren. His most important advice: to open up a branded store.

“A mash up of English tailoring and New York sportswear,” is how Wainwright describes the clothes, many pieces produced in a Kentucky workwear factory. For Spring, the designers will be looking to colour (turquoise! orange!) 70′s surfing and gypsy, festival style. It’s edging close to the collection, but there’s no break from the usual coolness. Wainwright and Nevill like to leave around 6:15am. “We’ll hit it hard for a week,” says Wainwright of the days just prior to the show. “At the start, we made a conscious decision that first and foremost this should be fun to do.” Neville suddenly motions to his computer. “I can’t believe he wore that shirt,” he says laughing. There on the screen is Jimmy Fallon on Access Hollywood in a Hawaiian shirt given to him by the guys days ago.

Stay tuned for parts II and III today!

For entertaining during fashion week

Are you reading this on holiday? Lucky you.

Many of the faces within these pages are back at work prepping for the upcoming collections. There seems to be characteristic industry confusion about what American holiday it is exactly that falls at the end of September (Labor Day or Memorial Day?) It doesn’t matter, because this long weekend doesn’t exist for those in the thick of show
season arrangements.

Here, we present stylist Kate Young’s favorite dish for entertaining friends after a long day on set or in the studio. “Easy, fresh, bright, delicious–and good anytime of year,” is how she describes this celery and fennel salad served with lemon pasta. Perfect when there’s no time to shop and everyone else is ready to party.

Start with negroni’s to drink! Campari, gin, vermouth and a slice of orange.

Celery and fennel salad:

Peel and slice celery to suit number of guests attending the dinner.

Peel and slice 1 fennel bulb.

Chop a handful of parsley.

Mix it all together with a handful of shave Parmesan and dress with
olive oil, lemon juice and a light vinegar.

Lemon Pasta:

Boil some fresh linguine.

Add the juice and zest of one lemon, a couple tablespoons of creme fraiche, a handful of grated Parmesan (“The one that Maxmara gives as an Christmas present is divine,” says Young), some olive oil and a handful of torn basil.

When the pasta is done throw it into the bowl and toss around. Add some of the pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Serve with more Parmesan and hot red pepper flakes.

Where are you right now?
In Fire Island on vacation.

What is your current state of mind?
Relaxed! Mentally preparing for September.

Where do you feel most at home?
NYC’s West Village

Why fashion?
It was never a question.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My mom always told me as a kid when something was difficult: ‘Mind over matter’. In other words. Just do it! Still works.

What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Starting my own collection. Sometimes you just have to jump off that diving board and trust that you’ll land safely!

If I wasn’t doing a designer, I would have liked to be…
A baker.

What is your perfect idea of happiness? When and where were you happiest?
Brunch.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
A metabolism to match up to my love of eating.

What is your greatest fear?
Fear itself.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Marvis Toothpaste. Its $16 a tube! Whats my problem?

What was the last thing you bought?
Spelt sushi for lunch. I know—don’t ask.

What are you reading right now?
Concierge Confidential by Michael Fazio. It gives the down and dirty of NY’s concierge world.

What was the last thing you read?
Blood Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton.

What as the last film you watched?
Jane Eyre –the lastest version.

If your life could be a film, which would it be?
Funny Face-I want to go thru life dancing in Paris!

What sites do you visit everyday?
Perezhilton.com, dlisted.com, nytimes.com gofugyourself.com towleroad.com

What is your most treasured possession?
My sanity and my nespresso machine.

What would you like to be reincarnated as?
A kobe cow. They get massaged everyday don’t they?

What makes you laugh?
Wanda Sykes.

What makes you cry?
Chopping onions.

Which question do you most dread being asked?
Questions about what questions I most dread being asked.

If you could add one question to this what would it be?
Are we done yet?