R13

R13 – Rebellious Luxury Meets Avant-Garde Street Style

R13 represents streetwear with a rebellious spirit, blending punk, grunge, and rock 'n' roll with luxurious craftsmanship. Founded in 2009 in New York by Chris Leba, the label has established itself as a key player in the international fashion scene. What began as a denim brand known for its sharp eye for distressed looks has evolved into a flagship for a new generation of fashion-conscious individuals. Bold cuts, striking washes, iconic jeans, and impactful prints define each collection, making R13 the ideal brand for those who want to pair classic fashion with a radical, modern twist. R13 fuses the raw aesthetics of punk and grunge subcultures with high-quality construction and premium materials—a mix that has proven itself on both the streets of New York and global runways.

The Creative Mind: Chris Leba

Chris Leba, founder and creative director of R13, began his fashion career at renowned labels such as American Eagle and J.Crew before spending nearly two decades at Ralph Lauren. While there, he absorbed the classical codes of American fashion but developed a growing urge to challenge these formal structures with a more rebellious, artistic approach. From this internal tension, R13 was born. Leba envisioned a brand that reflects American traditions from the viewpoint of subcultures—from punk to grunge to garage rock. His designs are marked by a deep personal belief: fashion is not just a product but a powerful expression of identity and attitude. With R13, Leba stages clothing as a bold language—loud, unapologetic, and aesthetically precise.

Runway Presence: From New York to Paris

R13 made its debut at New York Fashion Week in 2016—deliberately, seven years after its founding. Leba wanted the designs to speak for themselves first. Since then, the label has regularly appeared at New York Fashion Week and has also been presented at Paris Fashion Week. R13 doesn’t rely solely on traditional runway presentations. The brand experiments with alternative formats, including AI-generated lookbooks and thematic shows that resemble mini-festivals. In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Leba showcased models in festival-ready outfits, braving mud and rain—a tribute to Glastonbury and Woodstock. At the same time, he introduced fresh silhouettes, such as bubble-hem dresses and parkas with a Gorpcore influence.

Signature Looks and Cult Pieces

Among R13’s most iconic signature pieces are the crossover jeans with asymmetrical waistband, ripped band tees with a vintage vibe, oversized flannel shirts, and chunky platform boots. The distressed jeans are emblematic of the brand’s artisanal finesse: carefully placed tears, authentically aged washes, and innovative cuts have earned them fans across the global fashion scene. But R13 is more than denim. The label has steadily expanded its collection to include biker-style leather jackets, military-inspired coats, grunge-influenced slip dresses, and voluminous sweaters with exaggerated sleeves. These intentional contrasts between classical silhouettes and subcultural grit are what make R13 instantly recognizable. Wearing R13 signals both style savvy and a bold sense of individual identity.

Diversity for All Styles and Body Types

R13 offers fashion for women, men, and everyone in between. The collections are inclusively designed and provide styles suited to a variety of body types and aesthetic preferences. From high-waisted cuts to relaxed boyfriend jeans, wide-leg trousers, and oversized shirts perfect for layering—R13 ensures everyone can craft their own unique look. A key feature is the brand’s gender-fluid approach: many pieces are intentionally designed to be gender-neutral, making R13 especially popular with younger, progressive customers. The designs allow for a free interpretation of femininity and masculinity.

Design Philosophy: Grunge Meets High-End

Chris Leba views fashion as a tool for self-empowerment. His collections challenge societal expectations and reimagine them as wearable art. A classic tuxedo becomes a shredded echo of glamour; a flannel shirt is transformed into a fashion manifesto. R13’s design language includes deconstruction, mixed materials, and irony—turning everyday items into provocative fashion statements. The brand frequently draws on pop culture symbols, reinterpreting them in fresh contexts: band tees, camouflage prints, military motifs, or cowboy elements—nothing at R13 is simply copied; everything is recontextualized.

Collaborations with Music and Fashion

R13 maintains a strong connection to the music scene. One of its most iconic collaborations was with rock singer Alison Mosshart, who translated her authentic stage presence into a limited capsule collection. A notable partnership with Italian luxury label Ports 1961 merged American denim with European tailoring. Additionally, R13 frequently releases licensed band tees featuring Nirvana or Ramones graphics. These collaborations underscore the cultural DNA of the brand and illustrate that rebellion and fashion can complement each other powerfully.

Color Variety and Bold Prints

R13’s color palette ranges from classic denim tones to vibrant, statement-making prints. Alongside black, indigo, and gray, the collections include olive hues, washed whites, camouflage patterns, leopard prints, and even neon accents. This stylistic versatility allows for both minimalist and maximalist looks with R13.