About the Collection

Go West Young Boy and Become a Man 

The collection focuses on a multi-level story of the American cowboy. The cowboy is a rugged, idyllic figure that forged through many unknowns to settle the West. Cowboys are a hero for many young boys during childhood, as they embody the idea of breaking from the norm to fill a greater purpose.  

Raefski has found inspiration in the American cowboy for this collection as the cowboy’s journey parallels his own in many ways. Raefski is at a point in his life where he is becoming a man and finds himself on a new frontier of American contemporary fashion. This collection is inspired by cowboys and the west, but also draws significantly from current styles that Raefski finds inspiration in.  

The idea of going west and becoming a man has molded Raefski’s direction with this collection and his stylistic choices in general. Through his journey Raefski has learned that the man he wants to become is already inside - he doesn’t need to find that person, just grow into him. As he has followed and created his own path, Raefski has found a style that fuses traditional silhouettes with contemporary ideas.

Nicholas Raefski currently lives in New York City. He is a recent graduate of Fordham University where he earned degrees in economics and a master’s in media management. Without a formal education in fashion and design, Raefski has put together a team of individuals without real fashion experience, learning and evolving as they go. Raefski hopes to use his platform to advocate for mental health, an issue that is often overlooked in young people, and something he has personally struggled with. 

Through this collection and his work as a whole, Raefski hopes to be able to tell powerful stories that others can relate to, and to make a positive impact on his community, both locally and on a grander scale. Raefski’s passions heavily influence his work. As someone who enjoys watching films and spending time outside - whether going for long walks or running, it is not hard to find nods to pop culture and athletics in Raefski’s style. He ran Division I cross country and track while at Fordham, and became a conference champion in the process.