First off, I owe a genuine apology to Rhuigi Villaseñor: the best way to describe the delay in getting this Rhude review written is quite simply rude. Yet, there’s a silver lining as the theme of this collection, titled Renaissance Man, echoes the reasons behind the postponement. Villaseñor remarked during our conversation way back in July, “It’s kind of like where I feel I am right now. I’m juggling a million things at once.”
Currently based in Como, he’s navigating his responsibilities as the chief brand officer of the town’s thriving soccer club, Como 1907, alongside his own label that he started a decade ago. His rise in the fashion space was shown through the sophisticated tailored pieces which included brown and black chalk-stripe, Italian-made suits featuring bold collars and fluid slacks. Adding a flair of l’uomo di lago Euro-chic, his collection boasted camp-collared shirts, shorts, and velvet blazer ensembles. “I’m aiming to expand my stylistic vocabulary,” he shared.
Sport continues to play an instrumental role in this vocabulary. Naturally, the collection presented stylish leisure/training wear that blended branding from Rhude and Como 1907. Among the standout pieces was a satin-finish white jersey adorned with mesh panels, featuring the number seven and the Rhude logo in a subtle tonal white, reminiscent of American football uniforms. While motorsport elements and Villaseñor’s signature nicotine-infused motifs appeared less prominently than before, he maintained that, “We still want to incorporate motorsport influences, and Americana remains a part of our ethos.”
Rhude’s military workwear pieces are expertly crafted. This season, they showcased a washed olive drill overshirt with unique house accents on its flap pockets, perfectly paired with sleek black cargo pants, alongside an exquisite leopard print denim work-short. Leopard-print slipper shoes infused energy into several outfits, contrasting the otherwise muted color scheme. The eyewear selection featured sporty wraparound styles and chic gold-framed aviators. “I am the essence of the moodboard,” Villaseñor declared. “My lifestyle shapes the narrative.”
