COTTON USA Soft and Sensual
NEWS & EVENTS
INTERVIEW WITH DERYCK WALKER
Each season COTTON USA sponsors an up-and-coming designer at London Fashion Week's, On|Off, by arrangement with the Royal Academy of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens.
This season the designer is, once again, Deryck Walker. His neat 50's tailored shirting with hints of modern day youth culture are perfect for showcasing the versatility, softness and strength of U.S. cotton.
Following Deryck's Spring/ Summer 08 collection, called 'Wizard', COTTON USA caught up with the designer to find out little bit more about him, his latest collection and what he thinks of working with COTTON USA.
Cotton
- How have you benefited from your collaboration with COTTON USA?
Working with COTTON USA has been great! Our collaboration has helped me source quality cotton that is of a high standard which is essential for expressing my shirting garments.
- How has CCI helped you to source U.S. cotton for your collections?
CCI gave me details of mills providing U.S. cotton to the standard and volume I needed and let me choose the right mill for my work.
- What is your favourite fabric and why?
I love the pink cotton from the ANTEKS mill's Neon range (which is based in Turkey and is a COTTON USA licensee) - the colour is fantastic and it has a little stretch which is great. Also the feel is amazing as it really is luxuriously soft.
- Why do you like working with fabrics made using U.S. cotton?
Quality is paramount for designers and second-best simply will not do. It can be hard to ensure you are getting great quality cotton. Having this relationship with COTTON USA has been great as you know you are getting the best out there.
- Why are you a fan of U.S. cotton?
U.S. cotton is very versatile. It's not only amazing for shirting clothes, but also for other garments using cotton weaves. Plus, I know that I can always get my hands on U.S. cotton as COTTON USA is always on hand to help me when sourcing a supplier.
Views on the Fashion Design industry
- As a designer, how different is it to design men's and a women's ranges – what do you find more challenging?
I take a pretty androgynous approach to the themes in my collections. The only real difference for me is that the men's collections are cut straight and the women's are cut on the curve. It's that simple!
I don't design with any one person in mind so applying the theme of a collection to women's garments is always more of a challenge. I need to know what women want to buy before I create a look. The men's collections are much easier as I just design clothes I would like to wear.
- How do you view the quality of British designers in general?
Amazing! I don't think you can find fashion like this anywhere else in the world. I am constantly blown away by the creative talent coming out of Britain. That said, on so many levels it's impossible to pin down one designer that has more talent than the rest.
- Which other designers do you admire?
We are in an exciting time for fashion as there are so many great designers to choose from. I couldn't possibly go through all the names. My favorites range from Montana to Westwood!
- Who is your favourite style icon?
At the moment I really love Tilda Swinton. I am told that she is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside. I would definitely like to meet her one day.
About Deryck's Career
- Why did you decide to become a fashion designer?
It was all down to my Mum as she has always had an amazing sense of style. When I was a kid she would always ask me what I thought of her outfit if she was going out for the evening.
She also subscribed to Vogue for many years - you could say that I was surrounded by fashion from a very young age. The rest is history!
- Who or what has been your inspiration behind your recent collections?
My Autumn/Winter 08/09 collection, called 'A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing', was inspired by knowing what's going on around you. It's very easy to get caught up in what we are doing that we don't get to take a look at what's going on around us.
- What do you think consumers will be wearing this Spring / Summer?
Hopefully lots of my amazing Spring/Summer 2008 COTTON USA shirting garments, which are in the shops NOW!
Deryck's Spring/Summer 2008 collection is available now at The Dover Street Market.
- What advice would you give designers who are just starting out in the fashion industry?
It can be difficult to just be yourself, so my advice would be don't do anything that you wouldn't normally do just because someone advises you to. There are a lot of people in fashion with their own ideas. Just trust your gut and take your time.
- What has been the highlight of your career to date?
Being where I am now! I have great people around me, like COTTON USA, who are helping me to do my best work. I'm just finishing my second solo show and heading off to Paris to do my first men's show in June. This is definitely the highlight of my career so far!