RARE CUT, a startup based in Astoria, New York, is going pink this month by selling merchandise to raise funds that will support breast cancer research.
Founder Anthony Orisses is leading the campaign for a second year and will donate a portion of sales to Kat’s Ribbon of Hope, a non-profit organization which provides financial assistance to women who are unable to afford early detection and treatment services for breast cancer.
“For the second year, we are going pink to help a cause near and dear to our hearts,” Orisses tells The Pappas Post. “By purchasing one or more of these shirts, you’ll be helping to improve the lives of women and their families going through a challenging journey.”
The black tri-blend, unisex shirt features a pink RARE CUT logo on the front and a breast cancer ribbon on the back, surrounded by the words “support,” “strength,” “courage,” “fight,” “hope,” “bravery” and “faith.”
Below the pink ribbon and surrounding words, the text reads:
“1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. A portion of the proceeds from this shirt have been donated to support research and help people receive the care they need.”
“This is the most comfortable shirt you’ll own and the first shirt you’ll wear out of the laundry,” Orisses says. “We made sure to source the finest materials to ensure maximum quality, fit and comfort.”
The shirt is printed in the United States and consists of a blend of polyester, combed ring-spun cotton and rayon. The shirt is available for purchase here with free shipping available in the US.
But Orisses didn’t even initially start his company to sell shirts; rather, his goal was to target an even more niche aspect of men’s style — pocket squares.
In addition to the limited edition “Breast Cancer Awareness” t-shirt, RARE CUT offers an equivalent pocket square with pink ribbons. A portion of all sales benefit Kat’s Ribbon of Hope.
After reaching 500% of his fundraising goal on Kickstarter in fall 2020, the 33-year-old Queens native launched RARE CUT with the intention to make pieces that “just stay up.”
Using local artists and craftspeople, Orisses developed pocket squares built with a patent-pending memory-metal lining meant to retain shape and allow natural wrinkle release.
“I wanted to create pocket squares with a timeless look and feel that never disappointed,” Orisses says. “RARE CUT pieces are made to capture any shape and hold it effortlessly.”
The company’s catalog has since grown to more than 40 pocket square designs. Orisses prints the pieces by hand in small batches in his own garage.
RARE CUT has received press from outlets including Forbes, which included the brand in a December 2020 article highlighting suggested “stocking stuffer” Christmas gifts for men.
The company’s pocket squares have also made it onto the shelves of stores such as Rothman’s, a family-owned men’s clothing business with four locations in New York City.
“I’m a professional stylist, and most of my clients struggle with their pocket squares,” Rothman’s stylist Jennifer Calcagni-O’Dean says.” RARE CUT changes all that. Quick and easy to fold, and it always looks great.”
Many of RARE CUT’S designs pay homage to the founder’s Greek ancestry, which stems from the island of Chios. “Evzones,” “Summer Waves,” “All Eyes On Me,” “Mykonos Blue” and “Santorini Summer” are among the brand’s Greek-inspired options.
Orisses says that, at its core, his brand is about outdoing the competition with the utmost quality while consistently in engaging philanthropy and charity through campaigns and outreach.
“RARE CUT embodies being a cut above the rest,” he says. “This goes not only for our brand and products, but also for our mission of helping to uplift people and our community.”
To learn more about RARE CUT and browse products, visit the company’s website.
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