The oxymoron "rock 'n' roll chic" best describes British designer John Richmond. As someone seemingly stuck in a time warp, never failing to evoke '70s glam rock icon David Bowie as an inspiration, he has managed to stay relevant through not just fashion's ever-changing seasons, but its decades.
From lycra to leather and denim lots of denim he has, generally speaking, taken fashion to a world steeped in music, yes, that subversive, rebellious, genre, and yet finished it off with fine tailoring.
Relics of his inspiration reappear as motifs season after season like his "Destroy, Disorient, Disorder" motto that's emblazoned on some of his collections or the "It's Only Rock ‘N' Roll" theme that found its way into his men's fragrance, which was recently made available in the UAE.
"Rock 'n' roll is my DNA," the 50-year-old designer tells tabloid! "I grew up with music and while my style has changed little, it's just that now I have to create more styles."
Richmond, whose diffusion and prêt-a-porter line, called Richmond, is already present across the UAE, recently announced the availability of John Richmond, his premiere line, in the country.
"It's for people who want to be intelligently individual. People who do not dress to impress, but impress with their dress," he says.
The Manchester-born designer, who quickly made a name for himself, as soon as he graduated in 1982 in London, is also known for his business acumen, steadily building and expanding his brand.
Own identity
While his partnership with Italian entrepreneur Saverio Moschillo who, in essence, owns the brand, has taken him globally, the identity and philosophy of the brand is still very much his own, he says.
"Saverio is the MD but everything is discussed, even if it's only over dinner," he says.
Over the years celebrities, including his idol David Bowie, pop icon Madonna and rock 'n' roller Mick Jagger have patronised his designs.
Besides the John Richmond and Richmond brands, there's also Richmond X, for the younger market, Richmond Denim and Richmond Junior, all already retailing here in the region. There's also a range of accessories, footwear, beachwear and underwear.
A third fragrance is already on the drawing board, he adds, and so are watches and a jewellery line.
"It's a natural progression," he says, when asked if he wasn't afraid of overstretching the brand and diluting it.
"The customer is not stupid. They know what is good, bad or indifferent. If you do something with commitment it's not a problem.
"If you do it just for the money it is always evident."
Customer desires
"We are no different to any other label," he adds. "Our customer desires a bag, shoes, a jacket in equal proportions and we have to cater to that. But the important thing is to create something better than what your customer desires."
The father-of-two says he splits time between his homes in Italy, where business is based, London and Los Angeles.
And while his inspirations continue to hark back to the glory days of rock 'n' roll, the internet, he says, has transformed the fashion industry — and designers and brands have to catch up.
"It has changed the world in a very short space of time and fashion has not escaped its effect," he says, quickly adding: "I welcome it in some ways, but not all."
And after almost three decades in the industry, he's not giving up his Bowie obsession just yet.
"I did some pieces for him recently, just some basic things he needed.
"And since he was perhaps the catalyst that started me on the road I'm on, I'd like to be involved in doing something special for him," he says. "I hope."
From punk rock to high street acceptance,
John Richmond talks about design, and why he's not giving up his Bowie obsession
Five things John Richmond can't live without:
- Computer
- Phone
- Guitarn
- Toothbrush
- Friends
