# Rhone Apparel: A Performance Apparel Brand with Technology Integration
High-Level Overview
Rhone is primarily a performance apparel company, not a technology company, though it strategically integrates advanced technology into its product development and customer experience.[1][2] Founded in 2014, Rhone is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) activewear brand that designs premium men's and women's performance clothing, with a focus on blending functionality with everyday wearability.[5] The company serves professionals and active individuals seeking elevated performance wear that transitions seamlessly between athletic and work environments. Rhone solves the problem of ill-fitting standard-sized clothing by combining proprietary fabric technologies with innovative manufacturing approaches, including made-to-measure customization using 3D body scanning.[1][2]
The brand has demonstrated strong growth momentum, achieving 500% revenue growth in 2015 through its omnichannel strategy combining online sales, pop-up retail experiences, and wholesale partnerships.[3] More recently, Rhone has expanded into womenswear and forecasts that men's and women's apparel will eventually represent an even split of revenue.[2]
Core Differentiators
- Proprietary Fabric Technology: Rhone developed Gold Fusion, a lab-tested antimicrobial treatment that lasts over 100 washes with zero odor retention, positioning the brand as a forward-thinking innovator in fabric chemistry rather than just fit.[4]
- Made-to-Measure Customization: The Custom Made by Rhone program uses 3D body scanning technology to capture exact customer measurements, delivering tailored garments within two to three weeks with options for personalization (collar, cuffs, monograms, interior quotes).[1][2]
- Omnichannel Distribution: Rhone pioneered the use of pop-up stores to create physical touchpoints for a DTC brand, integrating online and offline customer data to streamline experiences across channels.[3]
- Performance-First Design Philosophy: Unlike many athleisure competitors, Rhone innovates from the fabric level up, starting with chemistry and material science rather than treating apparel as a commodity.[4]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Rhone operates at the intersection of apparel customization and direct-to-consumer retail innovation. The company is riding two significant trends: the blurring lines between activewear and workwear (as competitors like Lululemon and Vuori expand into dress shirts and polos), and the growing consumer demand for personalized, made-to-measure products.[2] The timing is favorable as 3D body scanning technology has become more accessible and affordable, enabling brands to offer custom fit at scale—something previously limited to luxury tailoring.
Rhone's influence extends beyond its own products; the company demonstrates how DTC brands can successfully integrate physical retail experiences without abandoning their digital-first identity, and how technology can enhance rather than replace human-centered product design.[3] By prioritizing fabric innovation and fit precision, Rhone influences industry standards around what "premium" performance apparel should deliver.
Quick Take & Future Outlook
Rhone is positioned to continue expanding its made-to-measure offerings beyond dress shirts into other apparel categories as the technology scales.[1] The company's evolution from pure activewear into workwear-adjacent products reflects broader market consolidation around "athleisure+" positioning. As consumer preferences shift toward personalization and sustainability, Rhone's combination of custom fit (reducing returns and waste) and proprietary performance fabrics creates a defensible competitive moat.
The key question ahead is whether Rhone can maintain its premium positioning while scaling made-to-measure production—a challenge that requires balancing technology efficiency with the craftsmanship narrative that justifies premium pricing. Success here would validate a new category of "tech-enabled premium apparel" that competes on both performance and personalization rather than brand heritage alone.