5 minutes with Topman’s Gordon Richardson
Gordon Richardson joined Topman as design director in 2002, taking the company from a mid-tier operation with just two designers to an international fashion authority with twenty designers. Commenting on the enviable position of British fashion and it’s rippled effects around the globe, Richardson says: “It’s down to its diversity. On the one hand you have the tradition and craftsmanship of masterful Savile Row tailors and on the other is the prevailing youth and energy of the younger designers. It’s a potent mix that is the envy of the world.” A potent mix which he indeed captures fully in his Topman collections.
Your style icon is…
I have many but my ultimate has always been David Bowie.
Can you please tell us a little about your journey to Creative Director of Topman?
Having studied fashion at both Portsmouth Art School and the Royal College of Art I started my own company designing men’s clothing and accessories which progressed to a full time role at Daniel Hechter based in Paris. On returning to the UK I designed for a knitwear brand called Sabre and then took a role in education as Principal Lecturer in Fashion at Kingston University. Freelancing at that time for the Burton Group I accepted the role of Design manager of Burtons which in turn led to being Creative Director of Topman.
From a menswear point of view, how do you think Topman has helped make the High Street respectable?
Topman continues to be brave and pioneering. We are always the first to back trends and with our continuing support of designers we are seen as a very well respected brand by both our customers and our industry peers.
What do you think the future holds for emerging UK menswear designers?
The designers who have been part of the early support have now secured very healthy global accounts for their brands. The beauty of the Topman London Collective is the fact that any fashion student interested in men’s fashion can now see a future for them in the industry, whereas previously to be successful they would have had to study womenswear.
Style is a form of storytelling. Please discuss.
Personal style is a continuing journey of trial and error. I’ve always been heavily attracted to and influenced by current fashions, something I endorsed wholeheartedly in my younger days. Now I conduct the stance of hanging back, deliberating and then choosing whether or not they are appropriate to wear at my age.
Your favourite travel destination is…
I love traveling to Tokyo for work. It’s such an amazing energetic fashion city with endless sub tribes. However my favourite destinations is Mallorca where I have a small house which allows me a much needed respite from fashion’s daily madness.
