Ragz: Hand-Knit in Rolling Hills, Calif.
About 20 miles from the industrial heart of Los Angeles, the bucolic community of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., is best known for its white fences, horse trails and the rolling hills that give the neighborhood its name.
It’s in this idyllic setting that designer Lois Horychata launched her Ragz sweater collection nearly a decade ago.
Originally, Horychata was hand-knitting the sweaters herself, but as the company grew, the designer brought in additional staff to help create the collection, which includes about 30 pieces each season.
Made from rayon yarn, the sweaters have a sleek hand and draped look. The Ragz collection includes cardigans, duster coats, vests, dresses, tunics and wraps—all artfully knit with an edgy, shredded look. Horychata offers each style in a range of about 25 colors—from classic neutrals to bold brights. Wholesale priced from $60 to $150,Ragz sweaters sell in specialty boutiques in California—including Ooh La La and Dana G. in Carlsbad, Compliments in Indian Wells, and Gracie & Co. in Beverly Hills—as well as The Leopard Spot in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Hand-loomed and hand-finished in Rolling Hills Estates, each piece takes about two to three weeks to knit.
“I love the Made in the USA label,” said Horychata, who said she has turned down offers from companies looking to take her production overseas. “I prefer doing it here. I like being in control and being able to ship as quickly as the stores need it.”
This holiday season, that quick reaction came in handy as reorders began pouring in for Ragz’s sweaters, making this the company’s busiest season ever, Horychata said.
To connect with her retailers and customers, Horychata hosts trunk shows at key retailers. In December, she held a trunk show at Dana G., where turnout exceeded expectations despite the torrential rains in the area.
The Ragz collection is carried in the Sharon Koshet Sales showroom in the California Market Center, suite B335. For more information, call (213) 623-6689 or visit www.ragzcouture.com.—Alison A. Nieder
