Luke Rainey turned a stroke of fate into what is today his label DAGGER. The Berlin-based designer founded the streetwear-inspired fashion label in 2020. After being unexpectedly laid off and receiving nothing but the words "We wish you all the best for your professional future and personal well-being," he turned them into a source of inspiration. Rainey took the phrase literally, printed it on the back of what would become DAGGER's first and now iconic "Core" T-shirt. He made "All the Best" the brand's permanent motto.
His life is his inspiration
DAGGER's design DNA and inspiration come from Rainey's youth. Originally from Portrush in Northern Ireland, he grew up there in the 2000s. Skateboarding, subculture, and the rough surroundings of the windswept coastal town shaped that period of his life. Since then, a DIY spirit has run through everything he does.
"Emotionally intelligent design" – that's how he describes his work. Fashion that doesn't focus purely on aesthetics, but conveys emotional experiences, identity, and stories. His designs reflect queer perspectives, working-class experiences, and subculture that are otherwise often portrayed superficially.
Hoodies, washed denim, accessories: Rainey's collections are streetwear with a subcultural undertone. The printed shirts in particular are a recurring sight. "Rough-edged, DIY spirit" – that's how DAGGER describes its style. The clothes are meant to feel like scraped knees after a skating accident, to look like cracked asphalt. It's an emotional texture, not a material property.
Why the name DAGGER says it all
The Berlin label owes its name to an object that symbolises endings, beginnings, and transformation – the ceremonial dagger used in pagan rituals. With DAGGER, the designer embodies exactly these values.
From showroom to runway
What began in 2020 with a T-shirt has grown into an internationally recognised label. DAGGER has grown without losing its DNA.
The achievements speak for themselves: an exclusive launch at Dover Street Market Paris, one of the most prestigious fashion retailers in the world. Features in Highsnobiety. A collaboration with Filling Pieces for the Pride collection "ENERGY IS EVERYTHING." And Rainey's label became a family business – his fiancé Marvin Lobodda is now co-owner.
The collections have grown too: core shirts have expanded into full lines featuring denim, hoodies, leather jackets, and handcrafted sterling silver jewellery made in Berlin. The "Big Bags" camo-print baggy pants and the hardcore-inspired "I.D. PLEASE" collection showcase Rainey's range.
In July 2025, DAGGER was part of RAUM.Berlin, the new exhibition format of Berlin Fashion Week. This season brings the next step: Rainey's runway debut on 2 February 2026 at Kraftwerk Berlin. Now he stands where many designers aspire to be. What began as a farewell is now becoming a grand entrance.
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fashionstreet-Berlin