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If you attended a wedding this summer, there’s a high chance one of your fellow guests was wearing a RIXO dress.
The brand, founded in 2015 by best friends Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, has become the occasion wear go-to for women of all ages and sizes (it caters for up to size 26) thanks to its joyful prints.
Now, the designers have collaborated with rug company Ruggable to create an exclusive collection of printed rugs. There are four patterns, available on runners and rugs in an array of shapes. And the best part? You can opt for a rug that’s machine washable.
RIXO x Ruggable collection
I got to see the collection at the RIXO store on the King’s Road, and I was impressed by how RIXO’s signature style had been translated into the rugs. Orlagh McCloskey shared with me the inspiration behind the designs.
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The Kensington masterfully fuses RIXO’s signature leopard and floral motifs into one cohesive statement piece that, surprisingly, doesn’t feel over the top. It channels the brand’s vintage glamour without being too loud. It’s my personal favourite from the collection.
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Dopamine dressing becomes dopamine décor thanks to the Kings Road rug. This design bursts with swirling colour and retro verve, drawing on the same 1960s and 70s influences that inform Rixo’s best-loved prints.
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At first glance, this rug looks like a classic tapestry. But if you look closer you suddenly become aware of all the detail, there’s not only the namesake lion cubs, but owls, fluttering butterflies and blooming florals too.
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At the launch party this rug was the favourite of Femail’s fashion editor. The geometric pattern and blush tones offer subtle femininity without excess, sitting comfortably in neutral, modern interiors. Elegant and quietly confident, but still with that RIXO romanticism.
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You and Henrietta started RIXO started at your kitchen table, as two fashion students with a shared love of vintage prints – looking back, what do you remember most vividly about those early days in Barons Court?
Looking back, what stands out most is that feeling of absolute commitment and excitement. We were totally thrown in the deep end from the very start, and honestly, it was all driven by pure passion. I actually ended up sleeping on the sofa for months because my bedroom became the stock room!
Those early days were definitely tough, our flat was bursting with fabric and samples, and we sacrificed so much, including our social lives, to make RIXO work. But we were full of hope that we were creating something really special.
Your next chapter sees RIXO moving from wardrobes into homes – why rugs with Ruggable, and why now?
In my opinion, a rug completely transforms a space, they’re like the “dress” of a room. Partnering with Ruggable felt so natural because, like RIXO, they care about design that’s both beautiful and functional. We wanted to bring that RIXO spirit into the home – colours, textures and pieces that make you feel yourself and inspired.
RIXO x Ruggable collection
RIXO prints are instantly recognisable. How did you adapt those distinctive patterns and colours with Ruggable without tipping into maximalist overload?
We love mixed prints, but we also really appreciate neutrals, it’s all about finding that balance. When working with Ruggable, we wanted our distinctive RIXO patterns and colours to feel just as joyful and expressive as they do in our dresses, but still harmonious within a home. The key is the right mix of lines, tones, and scales so nothing feels overpowering.
You and Henrietta have both become mothers in recent years – how has that changed your relationship to the idea of the “home”? Does the washable element of your new rug collaboration appeal more because you have small people running around your homes now?
Massively! Home is even more important now – somewhere that feels relaxed, lived-in and personal, but also easy to look after. The washable aspect is a game changer, especially with little ones (and all the mess that comes with them).
You both come from outside the traditional fashion establishment – no fashion dynasties, no nepotism. Ten years later, do you think that outsider status was actually a superpower?
Definitely – it meant we did things our own way and weren’t afraid to try new things. Not having a blueprint made us trust our gut and work that bit harder. I think it’s given us a unique perspective and helped RIXO feel authentic.
RIXO x Ruggable collection
RIXO x Ruggable collection
Has motherhood influenced your creative eyes – the way you think about comfort, practicality, even colour?
Yes, so much! I think about comfort way more now – things need to move with you and work for your real life. I still love colour and print, but I notice I’m drawn to things that feel joyful and easy to wear or live with.
As you look ahead to the next decade, what do you each want women to feel when they wear – or now get to live with – RIXO?
We have always wanted RIXO to make women to feel confident, individual, and inspired. Whether they’re wearing one of our dresses or now bringing RIXO into their homes, it’s about feeling completely themselves and celebrating their own personal style.
We’ve always said RIXO is more than just a brand, it’s a community. Amazing women who share that same love of self-expression and creativity. We want them to feel proud to be one of the Humans of RIXO.
