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Designer Joe Richards Returns To His Bath Roots

07-04-2016   


bif Joe Richards SS16His talk, in conversation with Kate Finnigan, Fashion Features Director for the Telegraph, will focus on the creative process behind his Spring/Summer ‘2016 collection, which was inspired by the William Morris print archive. He is the first designer to have been granted full access to the archives of William Morris by British Design heritage brand, Morris & Co in its history.

Joe Richards interned at Dior, Lanvin and with the eminent trend forecaster Li Edelkoort in Paris and with Alexander McQueen and Burberry in London before joining Celine as a design assistant to Phoebe Philo. He set up his own label in 2013, currently presenting two collections per year during London and Paris Fashion Weeks. Joe is currently ‘Designer in Residence’ at Bath Spa University, splitting his time between Bath and London where his collections are made.

William Morris was at the heart of the Victorian Arts & Crafts Movement, a true craftsman reacting against the mass production of the industrial revolution.  He was drawn to more traditional methods of production. Contrasting this approach with today’s world of digital overload was part of the appeal. Working with Morris archivist, Michael Parry, Joe looked at the classic designs and at the process that went into production. “I am thrilled to be working on this special collaboration. William Morris has been a constant inspiration since childhood and I feel honoured to be given such rare access to his original work, so that I can respond through fashion. Visiting the archive is a revelation, his techniques, references, colour combinations are shocking in their beauty, they are both poetic and volatile – they are strangely a perfect reflection for today.” Joe explained.

“Vogue recently highlighted Joe as an exciting new talent to have emerged from the London fashion scene and this project with William Morris proves again why he’s deserving of the spotlight. With Joe’s eye for colour and instinct for ‘of the moment’ design I’m excited to see where he takes this opportunity,” says Sarah Harris, British Vogue Fashion Features Director.

bif Joe Richards SS16 9Imogen Fox, Head of Fashion of The Guardian adds: “Joe Richards is one of London’s most exciting new designers. His work is already super accomplished and finessed and I’m very excited to see what his spin on something as familiar as William Morris will be.”

Joe Richards will be talking in the Assembly Rooms in Bath during Bath in Fashion 2016 on 22nd April at 6pm. Alongside Joe additional Bath in Fashion events include talks from designers Julien MacDonald, Erdem, Zandra Rhodes and Sir Roy Strong amongst others, hands-on workshops, in-store events & promotions and catwalk shows produced by John Walford and styled by Rebekah Roy.  

Information and tickets are available from www.bathinfashion.co.uk

Bath in Fashion is managed and funded by the Bath Business Improvement District supported by with SouthGate Bath and more than 120 Bath businesses to put the city in the fashion spotlight.

 

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bif 2016 diary




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