My Style: Thomas Raab, fashion designer for Alchemist

Up next for the Atlanta-based fashion designer? Starting his own label.

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Thomas Raab

Photograph by Ben Rollins

Thomas Raab studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology before landing his first job at DKNY as a menswear designer. After seven years with the brand, he was lured to Atlanta by Sid Mashburn and appointed head of men’s design. Now the design director of the avant-garde, Miami Beach–based clothing line Alchemist, he develops menswear, womenswear, shoes, and handbags. When he’s not at home in Atlanta, he’s sourcing fabrics and visiting factories in New York, Los Angeles, and Italy. Next up? His own label, TAR (his first initial plus those of his wife, Angelica, and daughter, Rio), which combines the sport of American workwear with the precision of Japanese tailoring.

Thomas Raab
Raab is wearing a jacket by Robert Geller for Levi’s, a T-shirt by Alchemist, jeans by Siki Im, and boots by Rick Owens.

Photograph by Ben Rollins

Hometown
I grew up in Greenlawn, New York, which is part of the Huntington township, between Manhattan and the Hamptons.

Neighborhood
Buckhead

Everyday carry
I never leave home without my MacBook Pro, headphones, Rhodia notebook, plastic toothpicks, breath spray, tape measure, and a spare T-shirt—typically a concert tee.

Uniform
I wear tons of black.

Local hang
I spend an inordinate amount of time at Lenox Square, which is the best spot in Atlanta for people-watching.

Style influences
David Bowie and my wife, Angelica, who is the most stylish person I’ve ever met! She is the VP of design and color at Spanx. My all-time favorite designer is Rick Owens.

In my earbuds
My current heavy rotation is Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, Simon & Garfunkel, Bishop Briggs, Franz Ferdinand, and the Club Acoustic playlist on Spotify.

Dream destination
Hopefully, one day, I will visit my biological origins in Vietnam and Thailand.

Current craving
The Guava Cheesecake ice cream at Queen of Cream

When off the clock
I’m singing karaoke on Buford Highway. I also love going to concerts at Lakewood Amphitheater and watching movies at the Tara theater on Cheshire Bridge.

Thomas RaabHot pack
TAR’s oversized camo leather tote is made in L.A. with European leather and converts to a backpack. Price upon request, tar-usa.com

This article appears in our November 2018 issue.

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