FASHTALKS WITH RAINODD

What inspired you to name your brand?

Music is a very important part of my life. A day without music is a sad day. There’s always music playing in my house. Luckily, David Bowie's "Space Oddity," one of my favorite tracks, was playing on repeat. For the record, this title was released five days before the launch of Apollo 11 and reached the top five in the UK. Rain Oddity would have sounded a bit too much like a shower gel cosmetics brand, but Rain Odd seemed like a no-brainer. I like the word Odd both phonetically and graphically. 

What is your earliest design memory for your brand?

I was in Bali when I received the first samples of the fabrics with all the technical features. I remember having a strange feeling while working on the technical drawings of the rain poncho under the sun in a swimsuit. 

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration around me, through people I meet, through my travels, and through my friends. I also love going to all kinds of exhibitions. My favorite museum in Amsterdam where I like to hang out for hours alone is the Stedelijk Museum. From the outside, it looks like a bathtub. When you are inside, there is this feeling of being in a huge clinic. I find it very soothing. The Power of Ten installation, which is a short documentary film written and directed by Charles and Ray Eames, depicts the relative scale of the universe in factors of ten. Each time I come over and watch it from beginning to end, it haunts me.

“From the early beginning, it was a no-brainer to produce quality products while trying to respect the environment, the planet, and the people we work with.”

What was your previous work experience before launching your brand?

I was working in production for art and commerce in Paris. There, we produced fashion and beauty campaigns for the most iconic brands.

What sets your brand apart from the rest?

Our designs are unique. We do everything to combine style and sustainability.

Do you have a favorite piece that you have designed? 

I love them all. They all have their own story and each of the designs has its own style and uniqueness. I like to wear the Tortoise, the Tie and Die, and the LSD.

What were some hurdles you had to overcome in your business?

Rainodd is a 100% self-produced brand with my partner. We haven’t called for any external funds or any help. We started from scratch, and at that time, I had no idea how difficult it was to produce in an eco-responsible way with limited quantities. It was very difficult to find suppliers but also workshops and factories that would agree to follow us. The requested minimum per production is generally too huge for a young brand. This does not make any sense as it goes against the value of responsible production. In the brave new world, production stocks should be limited as today, overproduction is no longer an option. The number of tons of clothes that are mass-produced every year and end up in landfills is insane! It gives me anxiety just thinking about it.

How important is sustainability to your brand?

Sustainability is the heart of our brand. From the early beginning, it was a no-brainer to produce quality products while trying to respect the environment, the planet, and the people we work with.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new designer?

Trust your gut!

“I envision a bright future. To succeed in creating a really cool lifestyle around the rain with artists’ collaborations, events, and happenings.”

How important is social media to your brand?

Unfortunately, it’s really time-consuming and we have a dedicated task for it. It’s a full-time job.

What is the most important thing you would like your brand to be recognized for?

To be a fully eco-responsible stylish street brand.

How would you define fashion?

Fashion is a reflection of people’s thoughts and what’s in the air. Today, fashion is everywhere, just like religion and politics are everywhere.

What is your favorite fashion trend? Least favorite?

My favorite fashion trend is functional eco-friendly clothes. Regarding my least favorite ones, none really, I like the idea that something I don't like can be liked by someone else. I try not to judge too much.

What do you envision for the future of your brand?

I envision a bright future. To succeed in creating a really cool lifestyle around the rain with artists’ collaborations, events, and happenings. A vision of love, fun, and arts.

What can consumers expect to see next from your brand?

The idea is to create a consistent street brand with… Surprise!!! A lot of new things are coming!

If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career, what would it be? 

Trust your gut more! Be confident in what you undertake!