Spotlyts

In the Spotlight: Raegan Kerr

Ivy Simms

I have a deep love for books, coffee, and flowers—simple joys that fuel my creativity and keep me grounded. Writing is not only my career but also my way of inspiring positive change in the world, one thoughtful word at a time.

Raegan Kerr

“Fashion can be extremely empowering for women. Looking and feeling your best can bring so much confidence to any situation, whether that is in the workplace or on the golf course.”

– Raegan Kerr

Fashion can become a potent tool for empowerment even in the world of sports. Raegan Kerr, the visionary entrepreneur behind The Garde, understands this truth intimately. With a fervent passion for both fashion and sports, Raegan made it her mission to redefine women’s sportswear and usher in a new era of elegant athleticism.

Raegan Kerr firmly believes that fashion possesses the remarkable ability to empower women. “Fashion can be extremely empowering for women. Looking and feeling your best can bring so much confidence to any situation, whether that is in the workplace or on the golf course,” she asserts. This philosophy underpins her mission at The Garde, where every piece is meticulously crafted to inspire confidence and strength in women, both on and off the field.

Armed with a degree in Fashion Business and Public Relations from Miami University and a master’s in Fashion Management from Parsons School of Design, Raegan Kerr is uniquely positioned to revolutionize women’s sportswear. During her academic pursuits, she focused on emerging trends in women’s apparel, particularly on the intersection of fashion and sport. Her research illuminated a significant gap in the market for versatile and fashionable women’s sporting wear that exuded timelessness and sophistication.

Motivated by her findings, Raegan Kerr seized the opportunity to fill this void in the market, giving rise to The Garde. As a women-owned and entirely women-run enterprise, The Garde transcends mere business; it speaks of the strength and ingenuity of female entrepreneurship. Alongside her best friend since high school and co-owner Julia, Raegan is dedicated to crafting athletic apparel that empowers women to perform at their peak while radiating confidence and style.

What distinguishes The Garde is its unwavering commitment to elegance and versatility in athletic wear. “Elegant athleticism is a reference to how we hope our brand and our products are viewed by our customers. Just because a garment is made for a sporting activity, it does not mean that it has to look ‘sporty’ in design,” explains Raegan. The Garde’s designs are meant to seamlessly transition from the golf course to the office to a night out with friends while embodying sophistication and functionality in equal measure.

Looking ahead, as The Garde gains momentum, Raegan Kerr and her team have their sights set on the horizon.

Know more through this exclusive interview.

SM: Can you share the inspiration behind the creation of The Garde and how your background in Fashion Business and Public Relations influenced your journey?

RK: I have always known that I wanted to create something myself and build something from the ground up that was a true reflection of my passions and interests. It has always been important to me that I love what I do and feel personally connected to my work. The Garde became a culmination of every interest, passion, activity, and goal I had over the years. While studying fashion business, fashion management, and public relations, the business concept took on many different forms, names, and directions. In the end, the journey itself inspired the creation of The Garde, blending my passion for business, fashion, lifestyle, branding, quality, sporting, and entrepreneurship that led to a brand of women’s apparel challenging what is currently available on the market.

SM: Your research at Parsons School of Design focused on emerging trends in women’s apparel, particularly in the realm of fashion and sport. What motivated you to explore this intersection, and what did you discover during your studies?

RK: Finding golf clothes that reflected my personal style and made me feel confident on the course has been a lifelong struggle for me. When deciding what I wanted to focus my master’s thesis on, I chose a topic that was not only important to me and something I was genuinely interested in learning about, but something that could serve as the research background needed to justify the creation of a new brand. My research showed that the exponential growth seen in the golf industry among women, particularly young women, was not reflected in the golf apparel industry. Most major apparel retailers still focused on men’s apparel only, missing a huge growing market of women joining the sport of golf. Today, many women’s golf brands are emerging, each reflecting a style and aesthetic not seen before.

The Garde
“Just because a garment is made for a sporting activity, it does not mean that it has to look “sporty” in design,” says Raegan Kerr. (Photo credit: Raegan Kerr)

SM: How do you define the concept of “elegant athleticism,” and how does The Garde embody this vision in its designs?

RK: Elegant athleticism is a reference to how we hope our brand and our products are viewed by our customers. Just because a garment is made for a sporting activity, it does not mean that it has to look “sporty” in design. We believe a woman’s clothes should be as versatile as she is. You should be able to wear your clothes in any environment, on the course, in the office, or out to dinner with friends and not look out of place for the occasion. The Garde designs pieces that are elegant and classic in design yet functional and versatile in nature.

SM: The Garde aims to fill a gap in the market for versatile and fashionable women’s athletic apparel. What sets your brand apart from others in the industry, and how do you ensure that your designs remain timeless and classic?

RK: Our collection features classic tailoring and design elements that elevate the overall look. For inspiration, we look to iconic women and time periods for fashion as well as what we look for in our own wardrobe.

SM: Can you walk us through the design process at The Garde, from ideation to the final product? How do you balance functionality and style in your creations?

RK: Our design process usually begins with an idea or an inspiration of some kind. Our team discusses what we want the purpose of the garment to be, how it fits into our current collection, what design elements are most important, and how we can make it unique to us. From there, our very talented designers and patternmakers bring it to life in the form of a sample. Every sample gets worn, tested, evaluated, and tweaked until the design is perfect. Our team also hand selects the fabric and trim for each style, and all of our pieces are proudly made in the USA, right in midtown Manhattan.

The Garde
“Our collection features classic tailoring and design elements that elevate the overall look. For inspiration, we look to iconic women and time periods for fashion as well as what we look for in our own wardrobe,” says Raegan Kerr of The Garde. (Photo credit: Raegan Kerr)

SM: In what ways do you believe fashion can empower women, particularly in the realm of sports and athleticism?

RK: Fashion can be extremely empowering for women. Looking and feeling your best can bring so much confidence to any situation, whether that is in the workplace or on the golf course. I have played golf since I was young and played for my school in high school. Unfortunately at the time, golf wasn’t “cool” or “trendy” like it has become now, especially for women and I often felt out of place at a golf course that was primarily men. I really needed my clothing at that time to give me the confidence in those situations to look and play my best. The Garde aims to do exactly that, empowering women through feminine, classic, and high-quality apparel to achieve success in all aspects of life.

SM: The upcoming line from The Garde is highly anticipated. Can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from this collection?

RK: Our Summer 2024 Collection is now available on our website! We have a few new pieces coming this fall and next spring that we are really excited about and will be able to share more soon. Keep up with the latest news about styles and events on Instagram! 🔆

(Cover image and video photo credits: Raegan Kerr)

“Elegant athleticism is a reference to how we hope our brand and our products are viewed by our customers. Just because a garment is made for a sporting activity, it does not mean that it has to look ‘sporty’ in design.”

– Raegan Kerr

Useful Links

Connect with Raegan Kerr and The Garde through the following links:

Note: This article also appears in the debut Spotlyts Magazine print and digital edition dedicated to fashion. Read below for further details.

Spotlyts Spotlights Fashion

The moment is finally here!

The inaugural issue of Spotlyts Magazine has been officially launched, shining a light on the transformative trends sweeping the fashion industry. Themed “Fashion Forward: Celebrating Diversity, Sustainability, and Innovation,” this edition explores the dynamic changes redefining the sector and features the stories and perspectives driving its evolution.

Gracing the cover is Alexis “Lexy” Silverstein, a champion of sustainable fashion, who embodies the magazine’s mission to highlight individuals, organizations, and initiatives promoting positive change.

This edition features exclusive interviews with notable figures, including:

  • Ann Chikahisa, Designer and Owner of Chikahisa Studio, who discusses the impact of fashion and the significance of talismanic jewelry.
  • Raegan Kerr, Founder and CEO of The Garde, who shares insights into the concept of elegant athleticism.
  • Sylvie Blum-Reid, Professor at the University of Florida, who explores the intersection of women, fashion, and film.
  • Emma Medeiros, President of Medeiros Fashion PR, who talks about inclusivity and innovation in fashion.
  • Deon Day, Owner of The Eyeshadow Pad, who addresses the revolution in cruelty-free makeup.
  • Diana Stelin, TEDx speaker and Owner of Gallerista Fashion, who discusses the artistry in fashion.
  • Elizabeth Wissinger, Professor at City University of New York, who offers insights on biodesign, glamour, and wearable technology.

Additional features highlight sustainable fashion, beauty revolutions, and the latest trends, with contributions from:

“Spotlyts Magazine Issue 1 – June 2024” celebrates the transformative power of fashion, offering inspiration and insight into a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative future.

A version of this article also appears on Google News.

Several other versions appear in hundreds of websites across the globe including FOX, CBS, ABC, and NBC affiliates plus more.

Get Your Copy Today

Secure your coffee-table-worthy print and digital copies through the following links:

Spotlyts Magazine Issue 01 June 2024 Edition

By ALPJ and Sons Team in Spotlyts Magazine

130 pages, published 4/17/2025

Here now is the most-awaited Spotlyts Magazine inaugural edition dedicated to the transformative forces reshaping the world of fashion. Themed “Fashion Forward: Celebrating Diversity, Sustainability, and Innovation,” this issue explores the dynamic evolution within the industry and spotlights voices and stories that define its future.

🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆

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DISCLAIMER: Spotlyts Magazine does not provide any form of professional advice. All content is for informational purposes only, and the views expressed are those of individual contributors and may not reflect the official position of Spotlyts Magazine. While we strive for accuracy and follow editorial standards, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional assistance tailored to their specific needs. Any links included are for reference only, and Spotlyts Magazine is not responsible for the content or availability of external sites. For more details, please visit our full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

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“With great power comes great responsibility.”

— Uncle Ben, Spider-Man

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2 responses to “In the Spotlight: Raegan Kerr”

  1. Fermosalua

    Golf and tennis clothes are so cute! I love the idea of sporty clothes without being the highly questionable Juicy Couture pants we thought were hip in the 90s. I hope The Garde and other fashion brands consider size inclusivity, too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Sam Waverley

      I truly agree! Love the style, indeed! The evolution of sporty fashion has been fantastic, offering stylish options that are both functional and fashionable. It’s crucial that brands prioritize size inclusivity, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and feel confident in their clothing choices. Hopefully, the industry continues to embrace diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of fashion.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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