Fashion with an emotional edge aided Luke Rainey in his exit from Portush
Luke Rainey, a designer from Portrush, Co Antrim, has created a unique fashion brand that reflects his personal experiences and identity. Dagger, based in Berlin's creative Neukölln borough, is an emotionally intelligent fashion label that has been growing organically due to popular demand.
Rainey's background growing up gay in Portrush in the mid-2000s shapes Dagger's identity. The brand is a reflection of his experiences and struggles, channeling a raw, transformative aesthetic with a deliberately chosen dagger logo symbolizing sharpness and clarity.
Dagger's journey began during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when Rainey lost his retail job. He started the brand by printing T-shirts with the statement "All the Best and €300". These T-shirts organically gained popularity through friends and musicians, marking the beginning of a full-fledged fashion label.
The brand's product line includes diverse apparel and accessories such as denim, underwear, socks, accessories, leather belts, signature slogan tees, hoodies, sweaters, leather jackets, and jewellery. Rainey's production strategy is a blend of Chinese factory manufacturing, leveraging its advanced technology and expertise, and local Berlin handmade jewelry, ensuring a balance of quality and technological skill.
Dagger's clothing is gaining traction and is stocked in many concept stores in Europe and farther afield. The brand has received positive feedback from Japan and Italy and now has sales agents globally. Its approach to design is purposeful and authentic, reflecting emotions and stories, making it different from other street brands.
Earlier this year, Dagger was invited to show at Berlin Fashion Week by the Fashion Council of Germany, reflecting its growing international presence and recognition within the European fashion scene. The brand was also selected to showcase its raw, transformative aesthetic during Berlin Fashion Week via RAUM.Berlin. This marked a significant milestone in Dagger's journey, signifying its rise in international fashion.
Rainey's collections are inspired by his teenage years growing up gay in Portrush in the mid-2000s. He found solace in glamorous fashion magazine images, escaping from his hometown environment. After dropping out of school at 16, Rainey worked in various shops and signed up to a modelling agency at 19. He later moved to Berlin, where he now lives in the bustling borough of Neukolln, and is in a five-year relationship with a German.
Rainey's partner, Marvin, is a stylist who works with indie boy bands. Together, they continue to push the boundaries of fashion, creating emotionally intelligent design that resonates with people worldwide. As Dagger continues to grow, it remains faithful to its roots, offering fashion that allows individuals to express their authentic selves and escape their own personal challenges, just as it did for Luke Rainey.
- Luke Rainey's unique fashion brand, Dagger, expands beyond fashion-and-beauty, also offering home-and-garden products that reflect his personal growth, as he aims to provide a lifestyle for his customers that offers them an escape from personal challenges.
- In addition to education-and-self-development as a designer, Rainey is actively involved in various personal-growth initiatives, sharing his experiences and insights he gained during his struggles to inspire others and help them achieve their own personal growth.
