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Rhone Apparel designs and produces performance-driven apparel and lifestyle products, primarily for men, engineered to support an active and progressive lifestyle. The company focuses on technical fabrics and thoughtful construction, developing garments suitable for athletic performance, work, and casual wear. Their product range often incorporates features like moisture-wicking and comfort, catering to the demands of modern movement.
The company was co-founded in 2014 by brothers Nate and Ben Checketts. Their foundational insight stemmed from identifying a gap in the market for premium activewear that blended high performance with sophisticated style, suitable for men navigating various aspects of their lives without sacrificing comfort or appearance. They aimed to create clothing that resonated with individuals committed to personal growth and well-being.
Rhone’s clientele consists of discerning individuals who value quality, functionality, and versatility in their wardrobe. The brand's vision extends beyond mere clothing provision, aiming to inspire and equip its customers in their continuous pursuit of progress. Rhone envisions a future where its offerings empower individuals to achieve their personal best, integrating seamlessly into a dynamic and aspirational lifestyle.
Rhone Apparel has raised $6.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Rhone Apparel has raised $6.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
# Rhone Apparel: A Performance Apparel Brand with Technology Integration
Rhone is primarily a performance apparel company, not a technology company, though it strategically integrates advanced technology into its product development and customer experience.[1][2] Founded in 2014, Rhone is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) activewear brand that designs premium men's and women's performance clothing, with a focus on blending functionality with everyday wearability.[5] The company serves professionals and active individuals seeking elevated performance wear that transitions seamlessly between athletic and work environments. Rhone solves the problem of ill-fitting standard-sized clothing by combining proprietary fabric technologies with innovative manufacturing approaches, including made-to-measure customization using 3D body scanning.[1][2]
The brand has demonstrated strong growth momentum, achieving 500% revenue growth in 2015 through its omnichannel strategy combining online sales, pop-up retail experiences, and wholesale partnerships.[3] More recently, Rhone has expanded into womenswear and forecasts that men's and women's apparel will eventually represent an even split of revenue.[2]
Rhone operates at the intersection of apparel customization and direct-to-consumer retail innovation. The company is riding two significant trends: the blurring lines between activewear and workwear (as competitors like Lululemon and Vuori expand into dress shirts and polos), and the growing consumer demand for personalized, made-to-measure products.[2] The timing is favorable as 3D body scanning technology has become more accessible and affordable, enabling brands to offer custom fit at scale—something previously limited to luxury tailoring.
Rhone's influence extends beyond its own products; the company demonstrates how DTC brands can successfully integrate physical retail experiences without abandoning their digital-first identity, and how technology can enhance rather than replace human-centered product design.[3] By prioritizing fabric innovation and fit precision, Rhone influences industry standards around what "premium" performance apparel should deliver.
Rhone is positioned to continue expanding its made-to-measure offerings beyond dress shirts into other apparel categories as the technology scales.[1] The company's evolution from pure activewear into workwear-adjacent products reflects broader market consolidation around "athleisure+" positioning. As consumer preferences shift toward personalization and sustainability, Rhone's combination of custom fit (reducing returns and waste) and proprietary performance fabrics creates a defensible competitive moat.
The key question ahead is whether Rhone can maintain its premium positioning while scaling made-to-measure production—a challenge that requires balancing technology efficiency with the craftsmanship narrative that justifies premium pricing. Success here would validate a new category of "tech-enabled premium apparel" that competes on both performance and personalization rather than brand heritage alone.
Rhone Apparel has raised $6.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Rhone Apparel's investors include Alumni Ventures, Martin Dolfi, 2048 Ventures, Accel, Brainchild, Clearstone, ClimacticVC, Entrée Capital Ventures, FJ Labs, Founder Collective, March Capital, Marketplace Capital.
Rhone Apparel has raised $6.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Series C in March 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2019 | $1M Series C | — | Alumni Ventures | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2015 | $5M Series A | Martin Dolfi | 2048 Ventures, Accel, Brainchild, Clearstone, Climacticvc, Entrée Capital Ventures, FJ Labs, Founder Collective, March Capital, Marketplace Capital, Queensbridge Venture Partners, Sound Ventures, TCV, Teamworthy Ventures, The Finger Group, Tribe Capital, Wellington Management, Arie Abecassis, ELI Manning, Jarl Mohn, Matt Coffin, ROB Glaser | Announced |
