Christopher Raeburn (born 13 August 1982), is a British fashion designer who reworks surplus fabrics and garments to create menswear, womenswear and accessories.
Christopher Raeburn was born as the youngest of three boys in Kent.
Raeburn graduated from London's Royal College of Art in 2006. He freelanced as a pattern cutter before setting up his own studio in 2008, and later his label.
In 2008, he participated in the 'Camouflage' exhibition at London's Imperial War Museum, and showcased his first collection (reversible garments titled Inverted) during the London Design Week. In 2009, he showcased menswear in Paris and gained support from Esthetica, allowing him to show his work at London Fashion Week that September. In 2010, Raeburn was the first designer to be awarded Topshop Newgen sponsorship for both men's and women's wear in the same season.
In 2010, Raeburn was approached by Victorinox to collaborate with them on a men's and women's wear capsule collection. Victorinox set up a "Remade in Switzerland" studio in Ibach, the birthplace of Karl Elsener, the founder of Victorinox. He found the original house where Elsener founded the brand as inspiration for the establishment of his Swiss LAB. In his lab, he produced 100 pieces of each style by hand. The collaboration launched on schedule during New York Fashion Week in February 2011.
In 2011, he was nominated for the 'Observer Ethical Awards: Fashion Category' and 'Condé Nast Traveller award: design and innovation' prizes, and his 'REMADE IN SWITZERLAND' collaboration with Victorinox was at NYFW.
In 2012, Raeburn opened more than 20 stores across several countries, including the Paris-based boutique Colette. In the same year Raeburn launched his first accessories collection, as well as his first collaboration with Moncler.
In 2013 Raeburn won Designer Business of the Year at the UK Fashion and Textiles awards and launched collaborations, with Rapha and Fred Perry. He ended the year by being announced as artistic director of Victorinox Fashion.
In 2014, there were two Woolmark sponsorships for Raeburn, this time towards his AW14 and his SS15 seasons, menswear and womenswear. The designer was shortlisted for BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund, and also launched his Barbour collaboration. In the same year, Raeburn was awarded Menswear Brand of the Year at the UK Fashion and Textiles Awards.
In 2015, Raeburn was shortlisted for the second year for BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund and he was sponsored again by Woolmark for his AW15 collection. He launched two collaborations: one with Wool and The Gang, to create a joint line of knitted accessories, and one with knitwear specialised brand Unmade. In the same year Raeburn received the award for Best Emerging Designer at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, and later on he launched his first footwear menswear and womenswear joint collections with Clarks.
At the beginning of 2016, Raeburn's "Layers of Natural Innovation" partnership with The Woolmark company was shown at the ICA during London Fashion Week in celebration of the versatility of Merino Wool, before being shortlisted for a third year for the BFC / GQ Designer Menswear Fashion Fund. That year Raeburn also launched a collaboration with MCM.
In Autumn 2018, US lifestyle brand Timberland announced its appointment of Raeburn as global creative director of the brand.
American Vogue's August 2010 issue highlighted Raeburn's contribution to all things green with the advice to "Remember the four R's â Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Raeburn", accompanied by a Mario Testino shoot of Blake Lively wearing a Raeburn Duffle Coat. After viewing his Autumn/Winter 2011 London Fashion Week presentation at the disused Aldwych tube station, Style.com stated, "it's not unreasonable to assert that Christopher Raeburn is the single most radical designer working today".
The Lab E20 opened in July; a 3,500sq ft space produced and designed by Raeburn. It will form Get LivingâÂÂs new creative hub in East Village, London.