RHUDE SS21 Collection - THE AUDACITY TO DREAM

March 12, 2021

By Geo Hagan Content Lead

RHUDE SS21 Collection - THE AUDACITY TO DREAM

In the pantheon of fashion labels perfectly straddling the balance between streetwear and luxury, RHUDE definitely occupies an elite tier. The brand’s founder and designer Rhuigi Villaseñor seems to have effortlessly figured it out, and he continues to refine his process and broaden his audience season after season. Jay-Z is one of the biggest supporters of the brand, and Future has been wearing a lot of RHUDE lately. His list of recent collaborators is also extremely impressive: Puma, NBA, Canada Goose, and McLaren.

Photo Caption: Rhude SS21 Lookbook

For SS21, we see the winning streak continue for Villaseñor with a dope collection titled “Audacity To Dream.” The name of this collection refers to the DACA program, an immigration policy in the United States that allows children (dreamers) who arrived in the country illegally to defer deportation. Villaseñor himself is originally from the Philippines, and moved to California when he was younger. He recently became a citizen last year, so he’s definitely familiar with the plight of these immigrant dreamers.

The SS21 collection was originally presented in a short film shot in a mid-century Los Angeles mansion. The pieces themselve exude an air of modern American elegance with subtle color palettes combined with relaxed and easy silhouettes. There are also some head turning Intarsia cashmere knits and striking graphics that deliver a bold streetwear energy.

Shop the full Rhude collection on Complex SHOP here.

These days, it feels like there’s a new streetwear brand sprouting up almost every week. On one hand, it’s quite amazing to see so much independent creativity on display, but it can also make the space feel extremely cluttered. However in the midst of this newness, there are always a handful of brands that stand tall above the rest. In this Buyer’s Guide, we’re shining the spotlight on two of our favorite brands at the moment - ERL and Affix. ERL: ERL is the West Coast brand hailing from Venice Beach, CA making massive waves at the moment. The founder behind the label, Eli Russell Linnetz is somewhat of a creative polymath. At the young age of 26, his credits already include creating graphics from Comme des Garcons, pulling off a dope collab with NIKE, shooting album covers and directing videos for Kanye West, and even writing songs for Teyana Taylor. With ERL’s designs, there is really no ambiguity or bashfulness—what you’ll see are bold & colorful sun-drenched prints & patterns and unmistakable silhouettes. The vibe conveyed is “sexy, youthful, and free,” and the fashion world certainly needs lots of that right now. Check out ERL pieces from the SHOP below: AFFIX: Some of the best streetwear brands are born from movements originating outside of fashion. London-based brand AFFIX is a prime example of that. The brand first started as a radio show on Know Wave’s station, and it naturally morphed into a clothing label. It’s worth mentioning that the tetra-headed creative team behind this brand includes heavy-hitters like Stephen Mann, Kiko Kostadinov, Taro Ray and Micheal Kopelman. The aforementioned partners have worked on exceptional projects for Asics, Camper, Stussy, and more. The ethos of Affix is refreshingly straightforward—clean and well-constructed pieces with an emphasis on function and contemporary utility. You’ll come across logos aplenty, but they are always neatly placed and perfectly proportioned. Needless to say, we’re expecting a lot from this brand. Shop more from ERL and AFFIX here. What a difference a year makes? Last year, around this time, we were experiencing the scary onslaught of a global pandemic with no end in sight. Presently though, things are looking much brighter and the collective mood is way more hopeful. Vaccine shots are being administered by the millions, restaurants are slowly coming back, and music & sports venues are even allowing some fans back in too. People are already resuming their office routines, but the majority of us are still working from home and doing stationary backflips from one zoom meeting to the next. To salute all our dedicated and hardworking WFH warriors, we’ve curated some new season ‘fits to give your wardrobe rotation a much-needed refresh. See the picks below: Don’t Sweat The Technique: When being relaxed and cozy is the objective, the only way to go is stocking up on cozy sweatshirts, sweatpants, and hoodies that engulf you in a cocoon of comfort. Remember this: elastic waistbands are your friend, and you’ll never go wrong with matching sets. Slightly Formal Options: Even in the lowkey WFH universe, there are still situations that arise when you need to throw on something a little more on the dressier side. When those important meetings come around, here are some options to keep you looking sharp and professional. The Spring Short: Can you believe it, we’ve actually hit that time of year already when temps are hitting above the 70 degree mark on more than a few afternoons. So you know what that means—it’s shorts weather again! And don’t worry, you can still keep it professional on the top half and casual on the bottom for all your video work calls. Check out some of our favorite shorts below: Workspace Feng Shui: This is something that often gets overlooked, but it’s just as important to make sure your workspace is properly set up to ensure utmost productivity. Whether it’s a zen candle peacefully burning, unique ornaments, collectible toys, or even an elegant coffee table book, it’s the small details that count. Shop the collection here.

RHUDE SS21 Collection - THE AUDACITY TO DREAM

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