The Row: Elitist Status or Styling Genius?
Why is The Row an itch you cannot scratch. 3 style notes taken through the analysis of the brand.
What makes The Row an eye-catching brand is the mystery of the Olsen twins and the way the brand marches to its own rhythm. Meaning instead of the brand's participation in trends and the modernity cycle, they focus on the basics, fabric quality, seasonal tonal colours, and styling techniques. The rejuvenation of their style is owed to these three points, maintaining freshness within each season, whilst sticking to the core of their brand identity. This also makes The Row easy to learn, understand, conceptualise, and re-create into your own wardrobe.
What makes The Row an itch you must scratch
The Olsen twins status does in fact play a role in the success behind the brand. Whilst the brand is not a celebrity nor an influencer brand, the connections the Olsen twins harbour make the clientele of The Row exclusive and a match to their price point.
Allow me to rewind.
Now those that are into fashion, know The Row. But in a worldwide sense, The Row still remains an “if you know, you know brand”. Now luxury brands’ whole ideology is based on selling you a lifestyle. In most cases, even when you are purchasing some of their cheaper accessories or footwear, you are suddenly “in”. What makes The Row different is that their brand ethos is filling a gap within the fashion market-providing designer basics. The celebrity sisters’ clientele are other celebrities and socialites who are already part of that niche. Meaning, unlike other brands, the focus of The Row is the clothes. And so, to be a The Row girl = to actually dress up in The Row clothes.
The allure of The Row is in its lack of accessibility, adding to its mystery. This goes beyond prices and brand accessbility. Recent fashion show ago, The Row banned phones and swapped tapping with notepads and pencils. The was not just a move of exclusivity, but taking control of the brand's narrative. The curation of the brand's image extends to what is meant to be runway photo submissions replaced by carefully selected look books. This is as if to say ‘you just had to be there’, making the brand an itch hard to scratch as you're always left feeling halfway there.
The inspiration behind The Row
When I first began researching the brand, a quick look at their style left four words in the back of my mind. Martin Margiela for Hermès. As a fan of Martin Margiela's work, it was pieces like the below that drew me into The Row and understanding the psyche behind it.
All it took was a quick research to confirm that this was one of the inspiration behind The Row. It was reported that The Row would constantly pull inspiration from Hermès’ archive, specifically from Margiela's years there. Mary Kate and Ashley, much like Martin Margiela, radiant the essence of mystery, quietness, and slow fashion within their work. I speak about this inspiration and era of fashion in specific as it is regarded to one of the periods that redefined the industry. The Row, much like the Martin Margiela's collection for Hermés, present meticulously chosen and limited pieces that form a capsule wardrobe, have a specific (and discreet) colour palette, disregarding trendy happenings, out there themes, and irregular prints. This allowed The Row to build a continuous wardrobe that seamlessly fused with one another as new collections unfolded, maintaining slow fashion values and a quite luxury brand identity.
And so, do you need The Row pieces to achieve a 'The Row look'?
Below, I've compiled 3 of my favourite styling tips by The Row and key points to achieving the look.
Interest through colour
Key element: While The Row is predominantly known for its neutral and monochromatic palettes, they occasionally use pops of colour to add a touch of sophistication and interest to their minimalist designs. These colour accents are carefully selected to enhance the overall elegance of the outfit without overwhelming the understated aesthetic. The integration of colour is balanced and incorporated in a way that complements the overall design rather than dominating it. Whether it’s a bright accessory or a subtle hue in a garment, the colour choice is always in harmony with the minimalist ethos.
Styling Takeaway
Subtle accents: The Row introduces colour in a controlled manner, often using it as an accent or a statement piece within an otherwise neutral outfit. This approach ensures that the colour remains a refined enhancement rather than the focal point of the look. This can look like the incorporation of a bold scarf, vibrant handbag, or colourful shoes.
All about the texture
Key element: The Row's minimalist aesthetic is not just about clean lines and neutral colours—it’s also about how textures bring depth and subtle complexity to the look. By juxtaposing different fabrics, The Row adds a layer of quiet luxury that enhances the visual interest of an outfit. This interplay of textures ensures that even the simplest designs carry a sense of richness and dimension, elevating them beyond basic minimalism. The contrast in textures brings life to the clothing without needing loud patterns or excessive embellishments, keeping the overall feel refined and restrained. The key is to keep the colour palette simple and let the textures do the work, creating depth without disrupting the minimalist, polished vibe.
Styling Takeaway
Contrasting textures: Contrast adds dimension to an outfit without disrupting its minimalist aesthetic.
Visual interest: The interplay of textures adds a tactile element to the outfit, creating visual interest and enhancing the luxurious feel of the clothing. This approach ensures that even the most simple pieces are elevated through thoughtful fabric combinations.
Monochromatic & neutral colour palettes
Key element: The Row is known for its sophisticated use of neutral colours, primarily working with a refined palette of black, white, beige, grey, and soft/muted earth tones. These colours not only create a polished, cohesive look, but also embody the brand's minimalist ethos. By staying true to a colour palette, The Row allows the focus to remain on the garment's craftsmanship, silhouette, and texture, ensuring that the clothing speaks through its cut and quality. This approach reflects an understated luxury, where subtlety becomes a symbol of refinement.
Styling Takeaway
Neutral shades: Using neutral colours helps in maintaining a timeless, versatile wardrobe. The subdued tones contribute to a clean, sophisticated aesthetic that complements the minimalist design ethos of The Row.
Tonal dressing: The Row often dresses models in subtle variations of the same colour family and complimentary tones, creating a seamless, polished, and elongating effect. This technique ensures that the outfit is visually cohesive and sophisticated, with a sense of understated luxury. This creates a streamlined and harmonious appearance.