Graduates of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, husband and wife Victor and Sarah Lytvinenko, began making jeans as a personal project in 2007. In 2008, the RALEIGH label was launched. Both Sarah and Victor come from non-designer back-grounds; Sarah drove trucks for Whole Foods, was a freelance graphic and interior designer and Victor was a line cook at Nobu, a model with DNA and a semi professional soccer player in both the United States and Europe. In 2012, they opened the RALEIGH retail store in Manhattan, and have shown during New York Fashion week for the past three seasons.