When we think about the impact of fame on people, what about those who dress the famous? Rixo, co-founded by Orlagh McCloskey and Henrietta Rix in 2015, has defied expectations and become a beloved label among celebrities. Their journey from sketching dresses in a shared apartment to having a palatial London flagship and a New York City boutique is truly remarkable.

Designing Effortless Clothing for the Modern Woman

From Grunge to Glam: The Early Days of Rixo

In the beginning, in 2015, the contemporary fashion scene was quite different. As McCloskey tells us, "The contemporary floor was very much quite grungy—Alexander Wang, Helmet Lang, and so on. There weren't that many day dress brands or brands that had the quality that we wanted." But Rixo saw an opportunity to fill this void. They drew inspiration from the vintage markets around London where they grew up shopping and translated those finds into an entire brand aesthetic.For the first few years, they ran the operations almost entirely by themselves. McCloskey even jokes that she didn't know how to use Photoshop until an intern taught her. Yet, their limited-quantity collections, with prices mostly in the $200 to $450 range and made from consciously sourced or deadstock fabrics, stood out. Many pieces were available in extended sizes, making them accessible to a wider range of women.

Translating Vintage into a Modern Brand

The touches of empire waists, bias cut skirts, and mixed prints that the pair saw at vintage markets became a signature of Rixo. These elements added a unique charm to their designs. As Rix explains, "We take for granted that in Britain there's so much good vintage. We dove into the whitespace by bringing these elements to shoppers in a cleverly low-fi way."Their emphasis on fit has been consistent from the start. "We've got top blouses, skirts and dresses that we've done literally for the last nine years," Rix says. This attention to detail has made their dresses not only fashionable but also comfortable and easy to wear.

Celebrity Endorsement: A Blessing in Disguise

Rixo's dresses have become a favorite among celebrities like Sofia Richie Grainge, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Hailey Bieber, Emma Roberts, Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, and Florence Pugh. While they never intended for A-listers to be their biggest fans, it's clear that these endorsements have had a significant impact."When someone wears it, it's nice for the design team and everyone to see that being worn," Rix says. And judging by the way other brands sell out when a big name wears them, it's safe to assume that these placements move the needle for Rixo.

Growing Stateside: The New York City Store

At the now-permanent New York City store, mother-daughter pairs and groups of friends often gravitate toward the all-black (or black-centric) prints and patterns. This shows that Rixo's appeal extends beyond just celebrities. Their emphasis on fit and style has won over a loyal following in the US.

A Chance Encounter: The Power of Everyday Women

One of the most memorable moments for Rixo's co-founders was seeing an everyday woman wearing a Rixo dress in Australia. As McCloskey says, "It would have been like one of 50. That was kind of an amazing moment where we were like, 'Oh my God, how the hell is the brand that we're doing in our uni living room on her?'"This encounter reminded them of their original goal of dressing women from all walks of life. And while they wouldn't mind Taylor Swift wearing Rixo one day, their drive to reach a wider audience remains strong.Shop Rixo's Vintage-Inspired CollectionRixo Emer SweaterRixo Suzanne DressRixo Meg DressRixo Lynne DressRixo Eimer TopRixo Tina SkirtRixo Zenni BagRixo Kelly SkirtRixo Astraea CoatRixo Norah WaistcoatTOPICSdresses