Figure Skater + Horse Rider + Fashion= Heatherette
Northernstar
Northernstar@excapethematrix.com
Californian ex-figure skater Richie Rich, once trained under gold medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi, toured around the world as a children’s Ice-Capader. During rehearsals, Rich would observe the seamstresses who designed costumes for the show and it wasn’t long before he designed and sew his own costumes for skating events. The talented Rich, resided in the “Big City”, where he got jobs as a commentator in huge club spots and even became an aspiring singer. He released two club songs “Collision” and “Magic”, but the recording career didn’t go as planned. Howe
ver, Rich is undeniably multi-talented; so many things rolled into
one.Montana- native Traver Rains, a former competitor in national horse shows, won over 100 titles in numerous state competitions. Rains began his fashion career sewing and designing his line of chaps and vests to participate in the competitions. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Business from Southern Methodist University in Texas, he moved to New York City to work as a horseback teacher at the sports & entertainment complex, “Chelsea Piers” where he first met partner, Richie Rich in 1999.
Rich and Rains flashy line began when they designed clothes consisting of
graphic tees, sequins blouses, and leather tops in their living room. It’s not
really explained how the pair received the name “Heatherette”, but after Rains
attended a special event, people started to knock down their doors wanting to
know more about their clothes and how to get them. The pair’s colorful clothes
caught the attention of client who bought 20 items on the spot at
Oscar-nominated designer Patricia Field’s boutique located in Manhattan. It
wasn’t long before rapper Foxy Brown got word of the line, and she got the duo
to custom-make an outfit to attend the racy MTV Music Awards. After seeing the
outfit worn by Foxy, other celebrities became curious and wanted to know who
these designers were.
The popular magazine “Entertainment Weekly” did an article on pop-singer Gwen
Stefani, which displayed pictures of her wearing clothes by “Heatherette”. Fame
suddenly hit the pair, when they found themselves “rocking it” with, Aerosmith,
on tour and “sexing it up” with Sarah Jessica Parker for her hit show “Sex and
the City” and became designers for a host of “big name” celebrities such as:
Paris Hilton, Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliot, Madonna, Beyonce’, Mary J. Blige, and many
more!
As the pair’s status began to grow, so did their designing skills. In the past,
the line would be considered as “punk-chic”, but now it’s considered “Barbie
meets Couture”. “Heatherette” has made such an impact them to a photo spread in
“Vanity Fair” and the “Italian Vogue” and being a participant in NY’s “Fashion
Week” every season! The pair has achieved so much in a nine-year period and has
no signs of slowing down. The colorful designs and peachy yet, humble personas
of both Rich and Rains will allow them to grow as designers. But the importance
is that they are growing together!