The great visionary.
John Richmond is an internationally renowned designer who has revolutionized the very concept of style, collaborating with global stars and legends such as David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Michael Jackson. A designer who has always been ahead of trends—setting them, not following them. We met him for this exclusive interview, where he shares his vision and his story!
How important was living through the golden age of Punk and its influence on your journey?
“Punk was important because it wasn’t a fashion it was an attitude. From the punk movement came ‘classic’ items and looks but they were just the way to show outwardly that you identified with being a punk. What was more important and what I gained was that Punk gave me an attitude and belief of ‘I can do that’”.
What was London like in the 1980s?
“80’s London was inspiring, full of many young designers, clubs, music. But it also now had magazines (with the advent of The Face and ID) and independent retailers that provided a platform for our work”.
How did your very first fashion show come to life?
“My first show was with a group of 20 other London designers. It was put together by Suzanne Bartsch in NY, I think it was April 83, we all flew over and caused quite a buzz. All the NY scene came to see what New London was all about”.
You’ve worked with icons such as Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie — what do they represent to you, and what were those special relationships like?
“It was an amazing experience to work with musicians who had been my idols and inspiration growing up. These were the very people who indirectly taught me about style and fashion. There were also many many contemporary musicians during the period I was based in London who would come to my shop in Soho. It was incredibly rewarding to see my designs in Videos and TV shows. Music was and still is a big part of my life so to be dressing and working with someone like Mick Jagger was an incredible experience, he is an icon and superstar but also an easy, humble very open person, it was a lot of fun. Also very different from the confines of making seasonal collections”.
Your fashion is a mix of luxury and rebellion, with the leather jacket as a true wardrobe must-have. Tell us about your timeless and ever-relevant vision of fashion.
“My DNA is made of all the subcultures and music and clubs that I grew up with and in. Ironically this period has become even more relevant and influential on contemporary fashion with the passing of time. The period early 70’s to mid 90’s was unique and will never be repeated, I was lucky, right time right place”.
Your jeans with the word RICH became iconic, anticipating the whole logo-mania trend. How did that unique idea come to you?
“I made the Rich jeans specifically for a photoshoot with Bryan Adams, they didn’t exist in the collection. I had in mind a very stylised back shot and need to give it a point of focus. Writing something on the Bum was a funny option, it brought a sense of humour to the shot. But it had to be a short word so we ended up hand painting the word RICH, the rest is history”.
Today, Richmond is a brand that also spans into areas such as design and childrenswear. Tell us about this evolution.
“To me design is just about proportion, inspiration, relevance it can be applied to anything. I consider myself a ‘designer’ not just a men’s or women’s ‘clothing designer’”.
Any previews of upcoming projects?
“The biggest project on the horizon, and one that really excites me, is our collaboration with the Mira Group — the creation of The Richmond Towers in Dubai. It’s our first-ever residential project, a way to bring the spirit of the brand beyond fashion and into the places where people actually live. Together with architect Marco Casamonti, we’ve developed a vision that blends bold design, refined materials, and a touch of rebellion — exactly what defines John Richmond. The project includes six luxury residential towers and one office tower, for me, it’s about turning a dream into something real, where fashion becomes living. And this is only the beginning — Dubai is our flagship, but there’s more to come soon”.
Valentino Odorico
