Rav Matharu

As the Founder and Creative Director of clothsurgeon, Rav Matharu seamlessly fuses his passion for street culture, craftsmanship, art, and fashion to establish a contemporary, luxurious tailored aesthetic in menswear. Once a professional footballer for Leeds United, Rav Matharu swiftly transitioned to a career in fashion, driven by his passion and innate talent for streetwear. His journey began at Leeds College of Art and Design, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in BA Fashion and Technology. Soon after, Rav adopted the persona of clothsurgeon and launched a brand under the same name, focused on using premium-quality, locally-sourced fabrics, masterfully combining streetwear with high-end menswear. Taking inspiration from vintage Americana and embracing a ‘less is more, quiet luxury’ philosophy, he creates sophisticated garments for modern menswear. Each of his pieces are tailored to his client’s unique needs and personality, showcasing the dedication to his craft. From his commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship, to his distinctive design approach and meticulous attention to detail, Rav has captured the essence of modern streetwear for clothsurgeon. Since its inception in 2012, clothsurgeon has attracted an impressive roster of clientele, including luminaries such as; Lewis Hamilton, Nas, Kevin Hart, Eric Cantona, Ian Wright OBE, Riz Ahmed, Drake, J Cole, Kendrick Lemar, FKA Twigs, ASAP Rocky, Swiss Beatz, Santan Dave, Kano, Pep Guardiola amongst many. In 2022, Leeds Arts University honoured Rav with a Masters degree for his outstanding contributions to Fashion and Arts. Today, he actively mentors students from the university, offering them invaluable industry experience through clothsurgeon’s internship program. Under Rav’s expert guidance, clothsurgeon has evolved into a globally respected brand, redefining menswear with its unparalleled approach to bespoke tailored streetwear. Rav carries out bespoke appointments that allow the client to create whatever they wish, a unique modern approach to a traditional age old craft of tailoring. As well as bespoke, Rav also creates seasonal ready-to-wear collections, to further the narrative of luxury streetwear, bridging the gap and merging two worlds. These collections have been housed in some of the greatest stores in the world, such as Harrods, Selfridges, Mr Porter, United Arrows, Browns and many more. Rav has also collaborated with an array of global brands such as Nike, Champion, Coca-Cola, Absolut, Vans, Asics, England FA and Manchester City FC, allowing these collaborations to delve deeper into the world of his distinctive design and exceptional creations. In 2022 Rav made history being the first ever South Asian designer to open the first bespoke streetwear store on the world famous Savile Row. 2024 saw Rav being honoured with The Game Changer Award at the prestigious Walpole British Luxury Awards. He received this accolade for his role in redefining British luxury in leading clothsurgeon’s distinct identity in bespoke menswear fashion and craftsmanship. The award recognises people, products and services that have shifted the industry and driving innovation in British luxury. A remarkable journey from footballer to fashion innovator, with a deep dedication to redefine contemporary bespoke luxury streetwear.