10 Questions With Designer Patrick Robinson
By Claire Grant, AOL Black Voices,
Posted: 2007-05-03 16:15:52
Designer Patrick Robinson
Famed desinger Patrick Robinson talks about his favorite things and what you need this season.
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Patrick Robinson is one of the most respected designers in the fashion world. Throughout his prestigious career he has designed for Perry Ellis, Giorgio Armani, Anne Klein and more. But don't expect any pomp from him. Patrick loves jeans and bright colors. This April he designed a personal line for Target, part of the chain's GO International line, peppered with bright colors, patterns, patterns and more patterns and, of course, denim! The designer chatted with BV about developing style, his line for Target and what he's dying for this season.
Black Voices: What is the biggest mistake folks make with their style or their wardrobe?
Patrick Robinson: I think the biggest mistake, the one that pops in to my head, how can I put it snappy; people who don't pay attention to their style. Don't find their personal style. It happens so much. When you don't explore your personal style or you're sorta afraid of it. It's really for me; it doesn't tell me anything about you.
BV: How can women and men develop their own personal style?
PR: I personally think what people should do more is to develop. The way to develop is to find people you admire; who dress how you wanna be. Or the kind of person you wanna be or the person you imagine in your head that you'd like to become. Cut out magazines and look at people on TV. Start building up your own little library, book, of images of how to put together clothes in a certain way. Because it's really how you put together clothes that most people fall apart on. That's personal style on what you match or you wear a cardigan and great skirt. And the way you do it and the colors that you buy. So it's not just black and you adding color into your wardrobe. I would start there. Emulate someone you admire. It shouldn't be a Hollywood star. It needs to be more real life.
BV: Who did you emulate?
PR: No one! That's why I do what I do. I started making clothes when I was 12 or 13 years old. I've always been very visual and my parents really let me develop that. I would never be a good musician, I don't hear music. It doesn't turn me on like going to a museum or looking at people on the street. I'm a very visual person.
BV: Does your style evolve?
PR: Yes, it has a lot. I actually was just asked a question in a recent interview and started thinking about my career. Thinking about the different jobs I've had and how my style has evolved. But in the end I was looking at the line for Target and I was thinking how similar it was to the clothes I did when I was very young. I still like the ideas of these prints and I like these colors. I like the idea that you mix and match things. I like to mix luxury with very casual. Or mix prints, one very bold and powerful and one a bit muted. I've always enjoyed those contrasts.
BV: Was it challenging to do the Target line?
PR: No, it's interesting. When I worked for other houses, I usually picked the jobs. And it really only works when I pick someone close to my own heart. Perry Ellis, Girogio Armani, Anne Klein. All so close to my heart. I was able to express myself. It's almost like you're cast as if you were in a movie. When it was Target, it was really just about me, a collection by Patrick Robinson. So all the things I play around in other peoples' houses, you express through the house's language. With this, I was just me. It all came out very, very quickly.
BV: What are your favorite trends for the season that are in the collection?
PR: All the print dresses. All the prints. This is a really a season for prints. People just want to be happy now. Something uplifting. And summer is such an uplifting time and things turn green. Things start changing and it's warmer. I think the idea of all the wonderful prints is the best. My favorite things are prints. For a woman, I think that women should embrace prints more. A print will make you look skinnier. Bold, solid colors make you look more solid. A good print can take off 10 lbs.
BV: Would you recommend different prints for different sizes?
PR: If they're broken up you can do any print. You don't want something that gives you stripes. Stripes either way can be challenging if done wrong. A print, any size, can really make you look different. You don't see a solid pattern so the eye takes you in differently.
BV: For plus sized women, what colors are best?
PR: I think all color really works. It depends on the situation. I never think a person should limit themselves with color. Unless it's very close to your skin tone or brings out strange tones. You really can have fun with color. But if' you're a black wearer, you should stay away from color b/c you'll be uncomfortable.
BV: What key pieces should everyone have in their closet?
PR: Great knits. Knits have changed so much in the last few years. If you would have asked me 10 or 15 years ago, I would have said a jacket. I think that isn't the thing now. I think you would want to start with great kits and sweaters.
BV: Anything you're dying to have this season?
PR: I'm looking for a great army jacket type … but not in green. I just think it looks really cool right now. And I just put in a swimming pool so I'm searching for a bathing suit. I'm in that weird place where certain bathing suits look old and some are too young and long and to the knee. I’m looking for something fun. That's my goal is to find a really great bathing suit.
Black Voices: What is the biggest mistake folks make with their style or their wardrobe?
Patrick Robinson: I think the biggest mistake, the one that pops in to my head, how can I put it snappy; people who don't pay attention to their style. Don't find their personal style. It happens so much. When you don't explore your personal style or you're sorta afraid of it. It's really for me; it doesn't tell me anything about you.
BV: How can women and men develop their own personal style?
PR: I personally think what people should do more is to develop. The way to develop is to find people you admire; who dress how you wanna be. Or the kind of person you wanna be or the person you imagine in your head that you'd like to become. Cut out magazines and look at people on TV. Start building up your own little library, book, of images of how to put together clothes in a certain way. Because it's really how you put together clothes that most people fall apart on. That's personal style on what you match or you wear a cardigan and great skirt. And the way you do it and the colors that you buy. So it's not just black and you adding color into your wardrobe. I would start there. Emulate someone you admire. It shouldn't be a Hollywood star. It needs to be more real life.
BV: Who did you emulate?
PR: No one! That's why I do what I do. I started making clothes when I was 12 or 13 years old. I've always been very visual and my parents really let me develop that. I would never be a good musician, I don't hear music. It doesn't turn me on like going to a museum or looking at people on the street. I'm a very visual person.
BV: Does your style evolve?
PR: Yes, it has a lot. I actually was just asked a question in a recent interview and started thinking about my career. Thinking about the different jobs I've had and how my style has evolved. But in the end I was looking at the line for Target and I was thinking how similar it was to the clothes I did when I was very young. I still like the ideas of these prints and I like these colors. I like the idea that you mix and match things. I like to mix luxury with very casual. Or mix prints, one very bold and powerful and one a bit muted. I've always enjoyed those contrasts.
BV: Was it challenging to do the Target line?
PR: No, it's interesting. When I worked for other houses, I usually picked the jobs. And it really only works when I pick someone close to my own heart. Perry Ellis, Girogio Armani, Anne Klein. All so close to my heart. I was able to express myself. It's almost like you're cast as if you were in a movie. When it was Target, it was really just about me, a collection by Patrick Robinson. So all the things I play around in other peoples' houses, you express through the house's language. With this, I was just me. It all came out very, very quickly.
BV: What are your favorite trends for the season that are in the collection?
PR: All the print dresses. All the prints. This is a really a season for prints. People just want to be happy now. Something uplifting. And summer is such an uplifting time and things turn green. Things start changing and it's warmer. I think the idea of all the wonderful prints is the best. My favorite things are prints. For a woman, I think that women should embrace prints more. A print will make you look skinnier. Bold, solid colors make you look more solid. A good print can take off 10 lbs.
BV: Would you recommend different prints for different sizes?
PR: If they're broken up you can do any print. You don't want something that gives you stripes. Stripes either way can be challenging if done wrong. A print, any size, can really make you look different. You don't see a solid pattern so the eye takes you in differently.
BV: For plus sized women, what colors are best?
PR: I think all color really works. It depends on the situation. I never think a person should limit themselves with color. Unless it's very close to your skin tone or brings out strange tones. You really can have fun with color. But if' you're a black wearer, you should stay away from color b/c you'll be uncomfortable.
BV: What key pieces should everyone have in their closet?
PR: Great knits. Knits have changed so much in the last few years. If you would have asked me 10 or 15 years ago, I would have said a jacket. I think that isn't the thing now. I think you would want to start with great kits and sweaters.
BV: Anything you're dying to have this season?
PR: I'm looking for a great army jacket type … but not in green. I just think it looks really cool right now. And I just put in a swimming pool so I'm searching for a bathing suit. I'm in that weird place where certain bathing suits look old and some are too young and long and to the knee. I’m looking for something fun. That's my goal is to find a really great bathing suit.
2006-05-03 12:31:56