Rhone Apparel
{{Short description|American activewear company}}
{{Advert|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Rhone Inc.
| logo = RhoneLogo2017.png
| logo_size = 200
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| former_name =
| type =
| industry = Textile
| founded = {{start date and age|2014}}
| founders = Nate Checketts, Carras Holmstead, Casey Edgar, Kyle McClure, Ben Checketts
| hq_location = 484 Pacific St.
| hq_location_city = Stamford
| hq_location_country = United States
| num_locations = 14
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Nate Checketts (CEO), Ben Checketts (Creative Director)
| products =
| brands = Rhone, SilverTech, GoldFusion
| owner =
| num_employees = 100
| num_employees_year = 2023
| website = {{URL|https://www.rhone.com/|rhone.com}}
| slogan =
}}
Rhone is an American company producing and selling activewear.
History
Rhone was founded in 2014 in New Canaan, Connecticut by brothers Nate and Ben Checketts, along with Casey Edgar, Kyle McClure and Carras Holmstead.{{cite web |url = http://www.therudenreport.com/top-of-the-line-two-new-canaan-football-graduates-looking-to-make-it-big-in-mens-activewear/ |title = Top Of The Line: Two New Canaan Football Graduates Looking To Make It Big In Men's Activewear |author = Dave Ruden |publisher = The Ruden Report |date = 28 July 2014 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}} The company's name is inspired by the river and region in France with the same name, known for its historical significance and aesthetic beauty.{{cite web |url = http://www.rhone.com/pages/our-story |title = Our Story |publisher = Rhone Apparel |accessdate = 28 March 2016}}
Initially launched as a web-only retailer, Rhone later partnered with Bloomingdale's in November 2014, expanding its sales to five locations. In 2015, the company's products were stocked in a total of 127 locations, including retailers such as Nordstrom, Equinox, and CorePower Yoga. In November 2015, Rhone generated 62% of its total annual revenue for 2014.{{cite web |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-12-23/rhone-apparel-gets-into-the-activewear-game |title = Rhone Apparel Gets Into the Activewear Game |publisher = Bloomberg Business |date = 23 December 2015 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}}
In September 2015, Rhone announced the closing of a $5 million Series A financing round, with investments from individuals in sports, media, and fashion industries.{{cite web |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2015/11/11/move-over-lululemon-rhone-is-about-to-take-over-the-mens-activewear-market/#53f27eb1af86 |title = Move Over Lululemon, Rhone Is About To Take Over The Men's Activewear Market |author = Jason Belzer |work = Forbes |date = 11 November 2015 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}} Since its inception, Rhone has raised a total of $6.2 million in funding.{{cite web |url = https://www.internetretailer.com/2016/01/13/activewear-retailer-rhone-apparel-grows-500-2015 |title = Activewear retailer Rhone Apparel grows 500% in 2015 |author = Fareeha Ali |publisher = Internet Retailer |date = 13 January 2016 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}} In February 2016, the company acquired a building in Stamford, Connecticut to serve as its new headquarters.{{cite news |url = http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/Just-for-men-Rhone-picks-Stamford-for-new-6801894.php#photo-9341424 |title = Just for men: Rhone picks Stamford for new headquarters |author = Alexander Soule |newspaper = Stamford Advocate |date = 3 February 2016 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}}
Profile and products
Rhone primarily manufactures and sells activewear. The company uses fabrics like organic cotton, recycled polyester, merino wool, and modal in their products. Many of the company's offerings include antimicrobial and breathable fabrics.{{Cite web |title=Rhone Fabric Guide |url=https://www.rhone.com/pages/rhone-mens-fabric-guide/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Rhone}}{{cite web |url = http://connecticut.news12.com/news/growing-new-canaan-startup-rhone-apparel-to-move-headquarters-to-stamford-1.11514454?pts=174621 |title = Growing New Canaan startup to move to Stamford |publisher = News 12 Connecticut |date = 26 February 2016 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}} Flatlock stitching, where the seams lie flat with edges of fabric butting together rather than folding together, is used to avoid chafing.
Originally focused on men's activewear, Rhone began selling a permanent line of women's activewear in April 2024,{{Cite web |last=Dojc |first=Mike |title=Rhone Makes Bold Swing Into Womenswear With LPGA Partnership |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikedojc/2024/02/06/rhone-makes-bold-swing-into-womenswear-with-lpga-partnership/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Forbes |language=en}} after having offered temporary women's collections in the past.{{Cite web |last=Steele |first=Lauren |date=2020-05-03 |title=Pioneering activewear brand Rhone (finally!) launched a women's collection |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90471675/pioneering-activewear-brand-rhone-finally-launched-a-womens-collection |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Fast Company}}
The company sometimes stitches or adheres inspirational messages onto its products, such as "Don't Die Without a Few Scars" or "What We Do in Life Echoes in Eternity."{{cite web |url = http://www.jeansandties.com/rhone-apparel-review/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150123040629/http://www.jeansandties.com/rhone-apparel-review/ |url-status = usurped |archive-date = January 23, 2015 |title = Rhone Apparel Review |author = Dominic Bonvissuto |publisher = Jeans & Ties |date = 28 October 2014 |accessdate = 28 March 2016}}
References
{{reflist|2}}