John Richmond is a true fashion icon whose influence spans decades and who truly needs no introduction. Born in Manchester, Richmond’s journey took him from his hometown to London, and eventually to Milan, where he pursued his dream of becoming a fashion designer. He quickly made a name for himself by launching his own collection and collaborating with renowned brands. By 1987, Richmond had established his namesake brand, offering three lines: John Richmond, Richmond X, and Richmond Denim. His iconic “Destroy” range became highly collectible in the 1990s, and his deep ties to the rock music industry led him to dress some of the biggest stars, including Madonna, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Lady Gaga. In 2007, Richmond expanded into children’s fashion, blending his signature rock-and-roll style with playful, youthful designs. We had the honor of sitting down with John Richmond to discuss his incredible journey, his inspirations, and the exciting work he’s doing in kids’ fashion today.
JS: Can you tell us a bit about your journey in fashion and what led you to add a kids’ line to your portfolio?
JR: My first venture into kids was many years ago when my own children were born. I would make leather jackets for them or special pieces. Many friends then started asking if I would do the same for their kids. The first full collection for kids was around 2007. It was easy and a lot of fun to take the JR style and put it into a kids’ collection.
JS: What inspired you to create a kids’ collection? Were there specific experiences or influences?
JR: It seemed a natural progression to venture into making a kids’ collection. I always had my own kids as reference points.
JS: How does designing for children differ from designing for adults? What are some unique challenges and joys you’ve encountered?
JR: Designing is the same process whether it’s adults or children—you have to create something interesting, desirable, and relevant. The photoshoots with kids are always a lot of fun because you can play a lot more.
JS: Can you walk us through your design process for the kids’ collection?
JR: Designing the kids’ collection is done on the back of the adult collection. Iconic pieces, new seasonal shapes, and prints are all used in some form. You can play a lot more with scale in kids’ designs, although there are different needs and requirements.
JS: How does your kids’ collection reflect your signature style from your adult fashion line? Are there elements that carry over or are reinterpreted for a younger audience?
JR: I use the same inspiration that I gather for the adult collection but can play with it more. I knew what my own kids wanted to wear, and I would often use them in the advertising.
JS: What are some standout pieces from the collection that you’re particularly excited about? Why?
JR: Lots of parents tell me that their kids’ favorite piece of clothing is JR. It’s a nice feeling to know that someone loves what you do, especially children, as they are not influenced by what they’ve read or are told.
JS: How do you keep updated with trends for the younger generation to make your collection appealing?
JR: There isn’t a big gap between adult trends and kids’ trends. Kids are so up-to-date with what’s going on now. Social media makes it so that if anything is trendy, everyone knows about it immediately. I also have a 13-year-old boy, so I’m very aware of what he and his friends are into. Social media has made it very easy to keep up to date, but it has also created a lot more work for me. However, it’s important to have communication and connection with those that have an interest in JOHN RICHMOND Kids.
JS: What advice would you give to young designers who are seeking their way into the fashion industry?
JR: The only advice I would give anyone going into any industry is to do what your heart tells you. If you are in your element in what you do, it’s not work—it’s love.
JS: To what do you attribute your success?
JR: Obviously, hard work has always been an important element, but I love what I do, and this is what has probably driven everything. And a little bit of luck—right place, right time.
JS: Who is your fashion icon, past or present?
JR: The first album I bought was David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. Like many of my generation, he was like a god that we followed. I was inspired by his style, music, attitude, and constant evolution. He is without a doubt my fashion icon
JS: What is your favorite place in the world?
JR: There are so many favorite places—an impossible question. The first time I went to London when I was 12 or the first time I went to New York were special and impressive moments.
JS: What do you think about Junior Style?
JR: It’s always interesting to see how kids take style and make it their own. Junior Style has a big community of people who are genuinely interested in kids’ fashion, and it’s great to see such engagement and passion in the industry.
See more JOHN RICHMOND kids features on Junior Style here
See more interviews with Kids Fashion Industry leaders here
Collection available John Richmond website
