Two Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers’ quest to find the perfect party shirt ended in the creation of a brand tailored to an entire Greek outfit.
The Frat Collection, created by Millsaps alumni Nathan Pearce and Peter Rafferty, has infiltrated college campuses across the country, including LSU, since its formation in May. Pearce said the recent surge in popularity is a result of strategic social media advertising.
The Greek-inspired brand specializes in patterned pocket designs, each given a unique moniker like “The Bragg” or “The Polk.” The pockets are available for custom stitching on T-shirts, sweatshirts and tanks.
Maria Guidry, history junior and member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, said she plans to purchase a Frat Collection staple in the near future. She said the brand offers variety and allows sorority members to show their affiliation without sporting huge Greek letters.
“It’s something I can wear after college,” she said.
Guidry said the company will have stiff competition, as other prominent brands such as Southern Marsh are already popular among members of Greek organizations.
But Pearce said there’s one thing that separates his clothing line from the rest.
Aside from recognizing a “gaping hole” in manufacturing of long-sleeve pocket T-shirts, Pearce said The Frat Collection is the first brand to directly target the fraternity and sorority niche market. He said the company initially received criticism for the name choice, but he felt it was smart move.
“[Peter] and I are fraternity brothers, and we love Greek life,” he said. “That played a major part in it.”
Connor Greco, finance sophomore and member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, said he has never heard of the clothing line, but he isn’t fond of the clothing line using “frat” in its name. He said he would prefer the full word, fraternity.
“I think it could be really stereotypical, but I’m not opposed to it,” he said. “I wouldn’t judge anyone who wore it.”
Rebecca Thiberville, accounting sophomore and member of Delta Gamma sorority, said she won a shirt from The Frat Collection in an auction. She said she likes the quality of the brand and believes it has the potential to become an essential in Greek fashion on campus.
“I feel like once one person wears it, people will start catching on,” she said.
The basis of word-of-mouth is what prompted the label’s success, Pearce said. His first customers were he and his partner’s friends and family, who eventually told their friends about the brand.
Pearce said he knew he had a quality product when a stranger offered $100 to buy his pink and blue pocket T-shirt off of his back.
Now, the company has added Facebook and Twitter as means of advertising, Pearce said. Each page has more than 6,000 followers.
“Today, that’s where all the students are,” Pearce said.
Mary Hammons, child and family studies freshman and member of Pi Beta Phi, said she first heard of the brand on Twitter but wasn’t impressed. She said some items looked appealing, but she didn’t know if it was worth her money.
“I wouldn’t buy it,” she said. “But if someone bought it for me, I’d wear it.”
However, Hammons said she believes the brand is trendy, and she would not be surprised if it became an on-campus trend within the next five years.
Pearce said The Frat Collection has a bright future. In the next year, the company will delve into making shorts, pants, dresses and custom made color-block Oxford shirts.
He said he hopes one day his label will be on the same caliber of established brands like Ralph Lauren.
Items available for purchase now at thefratcollection.com include T-shirts for $35, long sleeves for $40 and sweatshirts for $78. Ten percent of all sales go to a charity of the customer’s choice.
‘I feel like once one person wears it, people will start catching on.’
