Leading retailers collaborate with Richard Quinn

Fashion designer and textile print specialist Richard Quinn has exciting projects planned for 2018 following his internationally-acclaimed Spring/Summer 18 and Autumn/Winter18 collection launches at London Fashion Week (LFW) and receipt of the first Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design from Her Majesty The Queen.

Richard’s stunning AW18 collection at LFW last month featured a subversive spin on vintage 1950s styles with his signature acid floral patterns printed on linen look, velvet, foil, two-way stretch Lycra and brush chenille textiles. All accessories – including scarves, thigh-high boots, full-length gloves body suits and customised motorbike helmets – received the Richard Quinn treatment and all were printed in his London Print Studio using Epson inkjet technology.

Global stockists announced
Richard’s SS18 collection of sumptuous dresses, skirts, full body suits, tops and leggings feature traditional Liberty prints which have been updated to create vibrant colourways and textures. These have all been printed in his Studio and have just gone on sale at leading retailers around the world, including: Austria: Hans Style; China: Lane Crawford; Italy: 10 Corso Como and L'Inde Le Palais; Japan: Beams Tokyo and Dover Street Market Ginza, UK: Matches Fashion, Machine A and Liberty London; USA: H. Lorenzo, Opening Ceremony LA & NY and Uffi Zi Moda. 

Following his debut LFW catwalk at Liberty last year, Richard’s collaboration with the store continues with a limited-edition range of iconic Liberty London Iphis bags designed by Richard in collaboration with James Millar and due to be launched later this year.

In May, Richard follows in the footsteps of designers such as Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Be de Lisi and Julien McDonald when Debenhams UK launches an exclusive Richard Quinn range of 12 dresses as part of its ‘Designers at Debenhams’ initiative. Available online and in selected stores, the collection will feature Richard’s iconic vivid floral prints and ranges in prices from €78-€170 (£69 to £149). He will create a second collection for Spring 2019.

The power of Epson
While the Richard Quinn Liberty bags and Debenhams collections will be produced by these retailers’ own makers, Richard creates and prints everything for his independent retailers onsite in his Studio using his Epson SureColor SC-F9200 inkjet printer and an extensive variety of fabrics supplied by Premier Textiles.

Richard’s ability to produce unique high-impact colourways for all his outfits using his Epson printer has enabled him to offer each retailer highly customised textile designs. “Each can choose an exclusive textile design composition for each piece which is very exciting for them and their customers,” he explains. “No other stockist will carry the same design. That’s the power of digital printing – I have total flexibility to customise designs and produce the exact quantity, without any waste, here in my London studio.”

Interior collaborations
Richard’s textile designs are to be used by some retailers to decorate their spaces: He and global luxury retailer Matchesfashion.com have exciting plans in progress with a bespoke space for SS18 using a variety of substrates to create a world of Richard Quinn.

As part of his partnerships with Dover Street Market Ginza(DSMG) Richard has been invited to customise the retailer’s Elephant Room in Toyko in April. He is covering the room’s walls and floor with his trademark vibrant floral designs to complement his SS18 collection which goes on sale in the flagship store at the same time.

In addition to the Epson textile printer, Richard’s studio includes an Epson SureColor SC-S80600 printer which enables him to produce bespoke paper, vinyl and film coverings for use on walls, windows, floors and to wrap 3D objects “My collaboration with DSMG and Matches are the first of several interior projects that I am undertaking this year,” says Richard. “What’s exciting is that I can design and print customised and limited-edition textiles and wall/floor coverings and shrink wrap materials all under one roof, or work with Epson-equipped specialists all over the world to produce materials close to the venue, secure in the knowledge that the colour vibrancy and high quality will be the same.”

Says Heather Kendle, Market Development Manager, Epson Europe: “It’s inspiring to see how Richard is exploring the considerable flexibility of Epson digital textile printing. Our technology is changing the business of fashion, giving designers like Richard more control and a powerful platform to print high quality designs in a variety of sizes quickly and with customised colours and fabrics. Important too is the environmental benefits that digital printing brings compared to traditional textile printing processes. It uses up to 70% less water, 80% less energy and, by enabling designers to print and produce exact quantities on-site or locally, it dramatically cuts waste. The design potential and impact on the fashion industry is very exciting.”