Rafael has 25 years experience in the apparel retail industry as a design and creative leader who has successfully launched and over-hauled numerous brands spanning high-end suiting to casualwear. He has designed for iconic brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and John Varvatos. Most recently, he launched and designed Amazon’s top performing, customer-loved brands Amazon Essentials and Goodthreads. Rafael grew up in Wisconsin to Puerto Rican parents. After the suicide of his nephew 2 years ago, Rafael saw this as a catalyst in his life to seize the day, choose his own path and to start his own company.