MEET CATHERINE FAIN, THE DESIGNER BEHIND RAMEY RHODES
Designer Catherine Fain has a long-standing love of fashion and is a staunch believer that your wardrobe is a form of creative expression. After spending several years in boutiques across the South, she sought a more creative outlet and made the leap to design. Fain designs for the woman seeking easy glamour and chic everyday style. Ramey Rhodes is the realization of a dream, and its goal is to make beautiful clothing produced and manufactured in the United States. Read on to get to know more about the designer...
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Style Icon(s): My current love is Miroslava Duma. I adore her. I think we all love Kate Moss. There are women who represent different eras for me like Zelda Fitzgerald, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis or C.Z. Guest. But it’s all people who really, really love and care about what they wear - even though they make it seem effortless.
Words to live by/favorite quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. No idea who said it! I found that it’s very true. Pushing yourself to do more and be more, meet new people; it opens doors you wouldn’t have imagined.
How would you describe your style? I think gravitate towards a more “boho” style, but I feel like it’s constantly evolving. I just love that you can transform yourself with an outfit.
Item from your closet you can’t live without? My black Rag & Bone blazer. I can put it over anything and immediately look like I know what I’m doing. It’s just a timeless cut and great fit, and it’s wearable year-round here in the South.
Favorite local spots in Raleigh? Restaurants, shops, bars? I love this little sushi place, Haru, which is low on ambience but has amazing food. The Stanbury is a new spot downtown with amazing food and cocktails. Fox’s Liquor Bar makes the meanest drinks in town and has an ice menu (also a Hyla DeWitt fav)! I do most of my shopping at Fleur and Vermillion (also on The Nearby!) in North Hills; between the two they’ve got some of my favorites like Malene Birger, Lauren Moffatt, Rag & Bone and Lela Rose. It’s dangerous.
What kind of woman to you design for? I really want to design for people like me who LOVE fashion and style and are totally inspired by it, but who have to live in the real world. I want to appeal to women that aren’t really into throw-away, hyper trends and that really enjoy “dressing”. I want to present collections that have wardrobe builders - the love forever pieces - as well as some really special items that are worth the investment.
What are some of your favorite designs so far? Who or what inspired those designs? My two favorites from Fall are the Lida dress and the Swan. I love them both because they can be dressed up or down. I worked really hard to get the perfect shade of blush we used for the Lida! The Swan, to me, is the ultimate black dress. It’s sexy but still work-appropriate, and transitions to cocktail with a quick accessory swap. They were both inspired by friends of mine that needed solutions like this, that don’t mind the investment if they make sense for their lifestyles.
Other fashion designers who have inspired you or had an influence on your designs? I love designers like Oscar de la Renta and houses like Balenciaga and Chanel; I’ve been obsessed with Rochas lately. I love old Halston. I also really love and respect lines like A.L.C. and Rag & Bone or Jenni Kayne. I think having a mix of wearability and glamour or sex appeal really appeals to women my age.
What do you love about The Nearby? Ohhh, I’m obsessed. There are so many reasons to love The Nearby! I love to stalk and shop my favorite stores, even when they’re at market, it gets me excited about what is coming for the next season. If I’m in a new city I can just check the app and see where to shop - I don’t have to ask strangers for referrals, and I know The Nearby will show me shops I would want to visit! I love it as a designer because it connects me with stores and other designers that I may want to collaborate with in the future.