Raoul: Behind the Scenes

Since its inception in 2002, the homegrown brand of F J Benjamin has grown from strength to strength. Created by husband and wife team Douglas and Odile Benjamin, it began as a men’s shirt label and in response to changing customer needs, evolved into a complete ready to wear collection for men and women in 2008, including accessories and timepieces.

With 22 standalone boutiques and shop-in-shop concepts to-date in prime retail locations in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and most recently, Australia, RAOUL has made a significant impact on the fashion scene in Asia with its mandate to create affordable luxury products without compromising on stylish design and good quality for today’s discerning customer.

Based on its success in Asia, RAOUL eyed plans to expand into the international market by establishing a showroom in fashion capital New York in late 2009. RAOUL made its international debut at the New York and Paris Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Week, and introduced a knitwear capsule by Tom Scott for RAOUL, as part of a unique rotating collaborative project, where a guest creator is selected to design a category that they specialize in.

About F.J. Benjamin
With a rich heritage dating back to 1959, Singapore-listed F J BENJAMIN HOLDINGS LTD (FJBEN) is an industry leader in brand development and management, and in developing retail and distribution networks for international luxury and lifestyle brands across Asia.

Founded by Frank Benjamin in 1959, the Group has over 50 years of brand building experience in the region, and has established a network of offices in 8 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and the United States of America. F J Benjamin represents over 20 iconic brands, operates over 170 retail stores/shop-in-shops, employs over 2,000 employees and has four core businesses: Luxury and Lifestyle Fashion Retailing and Distribution, Creative and Licensing, Timepiece Distribution and Investments in Lifestyle Concepts.

Conceptualised in 2002, RAOUL was created by the Group to meet the needs and demands of the urbane working professional, offering accessible luxury at affordable prices. Starting out first as a men’s shirt brand, RAOUL has today evolved to offer a complete collection of Men’s and Ladies’ Ready-to-Wear and Accessories through over 20 points of sale in Southeast Asia and Australia. It also distributes through its office in New York to retailers like Harrods in London.

Photos & text Copyright Raoul.

Raoul Spring/Summer 2011

Michelangelo Antonioni’s “The Passenger” (1975)

“Antonioni’s most beautiful cinematic canvas and certainly one of the most stunning visual voyages ever filmed.”

– Paul D. Zimmerman, Newsweek Magazine

For spring/summer 2011, RAOUL continues its cinematic odyssey by drawing inspiration from another great movie classic, Michelangelo Antonioni’s “The Passenger,” featuring the sexy, confident, rugged Jack Nicholson and the enigmatic, willowy Maria Schneider.

The movie sets the scene for the collection, reflecting the sophisticated, confident and languid style of an independent and chic traveler set against the backdrop of exotic locations reminiscent of Northern Africa and the South of France.

There is a hint of a ‘70s vintage, a languorous mood that evokes a feeling of a suspension of time, of long summer days and the romance of travel, translated into chic but practical, almost utilitarian and carefree weekend styles that one can travel, work and play in.

The RAOUL man is rugged, suave and confident in a range of modern, fitted styles suitable for the stylish wanderer who indulges in carefree expeditions, yachting or overland trips to exotic sunny locales. The collection is masculine with a light and refreshing colour palette, a touch of unexpected details like dual-color slim plackets, and an emphasis on subtlety and quality.

Fresh additions this season include safari style drawstring jackets, extra slim-fit twill-stretch pants, lightweight reversible seersucker jackets, liberty print shirts, contemporary fit linen pants, knit cotton casual polo tee worn with low rise slim-leg shorts, motorcycle denim jackets with utility pockets, denim jeans in both classic and skinny fit, pants made with slightly worn out yet crisp canvas fabric, black long-sleeved shirt with white tipping on collar and cuffs paired with navy slim-cut shorts.

A new emphasis was made to offer quality, well-cut suits in styles and colours for a man with a more discerning tastes—a light slim fitting pink suit worn with a light coloured shirt; a caramel suit worn with a cream shirt with brown placket and slim brown belt; pastel coloured linen jackets with leather wrapped buttons and patch pockets; summer-weight suits in 100% wool.

See the entire collection here.

Photos & text Copyright Raoul.