Joe Richards to Speak at Bath in Fashion 2016

Up-and-coming British fashion star Joe Richards (30) who was born and bred in Bath and attended Prior Park College is set to be one of the keynote speakers at Bath in Fashion 2016.

His 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 – the first he has shown on the runway during London Fashion Week. 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.

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.

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, Richards 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.” Richards explained.

Why is Morris having an influence on fashion now? “Because we are just catching up with the idea that you can have art and commerce working together, “according to Richards in a recent interview for the Observer. “ And his work is super rich; it’s not just about surface decoration – it’s a complete way of living.  It was so much about the process as opposed to a physical item at the end of it. And that has real relevance now”.

“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.

Imogen Fox, Head of Fashion of The Guardian concurs: “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.”

Richards. grew up admiring the design and ethics of William Morris. While exploring the archives of the company started by William Morris in 1861, he immersed himself in the rhythm, scale and palettes of Morris‘ original samples which gave him an intimate understanding of the iconic British designer‘s avant-garde point of view.

Richards has reinterpreted original Morris prints to bring his legacy forward in the collection he calls Minimalist Morris. Each piece is entirely made in England. Inspired by nature and the energy of dappled light. Richards continues his brand‘s handwriting for a wardrobe imbued with Pre-Raphealite impulsive energy. “My challenge was to capture the original intensity while focusing on future tense Morris,” he says.

Joe Richard will be talking in the Assembly Rooms in Bath during Bath in Fashion 2016 on 22nd April at 6pm.  Tickets are available from bathinfashion.co.uk or in person through the Visitor Information Centre next to Bath Abbey.

Joe will also be talking with Elaine Uttley from The Fashion Museum, where he has made a selection of pieces from the Museum's extensive archive as part of Bath Spa University's Pattern lecture series which also takes place on Friday 22nd April during Bath in Fashion, tickets and more information can be found at bathinfashion.co.uk

Liberty, another brand that is synonymous with the  Arts & Crafts movement, is the focus of a talk on Vintage Sunday, 24th April will experts Cleo & Mark Butterfield, former Bath residents , who hold an extensive archive of Liberty in their C20 Vintage Fashion Archive which supported the recent exhibition at London’s Fashion & Textile Museum.

Joe Richards collections are sold at selected stores including Square in Bath, which will stock exclusive pieces from his Spring/Summer 2016 collection. There will also be a pop up shop after the 'Bath in Fashion talk' allowing the audience the opportunity to purchase exclusive items from his collaboration with Morris & Co.

Tickets are now on sale. For further information and to register interest please visit bathinfashion.co.uk.

For media enquiries and images please contact Nicky Hancock on 01225 332299 or e-mail: [email protected]

Date: 2nd April 2016