From the Queen of England to Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Céline Dion, to the Met Gala red carpet, the new British fashion prodigy Richard Quinn has rapidly joined the ranks of the greats, capturing all eyes and all attention.
Since founding his studio in 2016, located under the railway arches of Queens Road Peckham in South London, Richard Quinn has been constantly in the spotlight. His graduation collection from Central Saint Martins reinvented traditional floral fashion, giving it a fetishistic edge with models wearing motorcycle helmets and latex. Having worked at Christian Dior and Savile Row, the H&M Design Award winner has since become a champion of womenswear and printed textiles, combining innovative manufacturing techniques with the artisanal expertise of haute couture.
Endorsed by the Queen
But the one who propelled him to the forefront of the fashion scene in record time was Queen Elizabeth II. In 2018, at the age of 91, Her Majesty inaugurated her very first show at London Fashion Week, alongside the high priestess of style, Anna Wintour. A surprise appearance, just minutes before the start of the show, left the fashion world speechless. This major event was preceded by the presentation of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. An annual prize awarded to an emerging designer who demonstrates exceptional originality while also showing value to the community and strong sustainability policies.
The eccentricity so British
Since then, the fashion world has been captivated by Richard Quinn and his simultaneously avant-garde, refined, and exuberant approach. His signature touch? A profusion of floral motifs, inspired by the fabrics of the legendary Liberty store, where he also staged his first runway show. With a keen eye for detail, the designer experiments and adds colorful materials, XXL puff sleeves, Victorian references, sculptural silhouettes, and modern evening wear to his style. In his bold and desirable collections, such as Spring/Summer 2023 and 2024 and Autumn/Winter 2022 and 2023, perfectly complemented by their accompanying scenography, this 30-year-old virtuoso masterfully reinterprets the history of British haute couture and the punk and drag movements.
