RAQUEL ALLEGRA, born in Berkeley, CA to artisan parents. Originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue her singing career.

While working her requisite day job on the sales floor at Barneys New York in 2002, her clients often asked about the vintage tees she re-designed and wore. These discerning clothing connoisseurs quickly formed a ravenous following and propelled her to leave Barneys and pursue designing one-of-a-kind pieces full-time.

Her nontraditional design career grew naturally from a curiosity and inventiveness that is echoed in her unusual fashion education; years of honing her eye by sorting through thousands of vintage garments and tailoring pieces for herself and each of her clients unique desires.

As demand for her tees grew and she needed a more steady supply, she discovered what would become the trademark of her bourgeoning line, cast-off prison tees from the LA county jail system which she individually hand dyed and deconstructed into full length webbed cocoon shapes. These individually hand dyed and deconstructed pieces became her signature and have been featured in nearly every major fashion publication, and worn by tastemakers including Kate Moss, Cate Blanchett, Carolyn Murphy, Cara Delevingne, Christy Turlington, and Lady Gaga.

The RAQUEL ALLEGRA label is found internationally in over 200 select boutiques, inclusive of the RAQUEL ALLEGRA flagship store opened May 2016 in Los Angeles, CA.