Patrick Cox
Encyclopedia
Patrick Cox is a Canadian–British fashion designer and an eponymous fashion label specializing in the creation of shoes, leather goods and accessories. Cox is most noted for the use of unusual materials and a mixture of Avant-garde
and traditional styles.
Born 19 March 1963, in Edmonton
, Canada, Cox was educated locally, except for periods when his father's work led the family to postings in Nigeria
, Chad
and Cameroon
. Cox eventually graduated from school in Edmonton Canada and moved to Toronto
on his own when he was 17.
's Technical College, London, a design school that was absorbed into the London College of Fashion
in 2000. Cox studied at Cordwainer's from 1983 to 1985.
During his time as a student in London Cox spent as much time in nightclubs as he did studying. Through his partying Cox became friends with several well known designers, such as Vivienne Westwood
and John Galliano
who, at that time, were emerging stars. As a result, in 1984, Westwood asked Cox to design shoes to go with her "Clint Eastwood
" collection. One of the shoes that Cox created, incorporated a 6 inch platform that would become the prototype of a pair later worn by the English supermodel
, Naomi Campbell
, when she fell during a Westwood fashion show
in Paris, France in 1993.
. They split up in 1996.
's "Fallen Angels" collection. Cox continued to work with Galliano for a further six seasons. Subsequently, Cox launched his own Patrick Cox label, adopting the fleur-de-lys logo.
In 1988 Cox moved his production from the UK to Italy where the shoes were made in various regions; Veneto, Toscana, and Marche - all of which are regions noted for shoe manufacture, Cox opened his first shop opposite the Peter Jones
department store in Sloane Square
, a well known fashion district of London. In 1993, Cox marketed his first collection designed for the mass market. This collection called "Wannabe" increased the company's annual sales from 4000 to 500,000 pairs in 13 months. In 1994, Cox opened his first store in Paris at 62 rue Tiquetonne, followed in 1995 by a second store in London at 129 Sloane Street, a new store in New York and a second store in Paris on rue de Grenelle. During this time, Cox was twice awarded Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards
.
In 2000, Cox was approached by the fashion house Charles Jourdan
, and in January 2003 he was appointed Creative Director, his brief being to rejuvenate the brand. After 2 years of successful collaboration, Cox decided to move on to concentrate on the development of his own label.
In September 2010, Cox opened 'Cox Cookies & Cake', a baked goods shop in Soho, with Eric Lanlard
. In keeping with local seedy business, the decor is black and neon, the staff wear leather aprons and chains and delicacies include titty and bum cupcakes along with his mother Maureen's Nanaimo bars (Canadian treat).
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
and traditional styles.
Born 19 March 1963, in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Canada, Cox was educated locally, except for periods when his father's work led the family to postings in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
and Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. Cox eventually graduated from school in Edmonton Canada and moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
on his own when he was 17.
Early career
At the age of 19, Cox produced his first pair of shoes, for the Toronto-based designer Loucas Kleanthous, who suggested Cox consider a career as a designer. An interest in British fashion led Cox to study at CordwainerCordwainer
A cordwainer is a shoemaker/cobbler who makes fine soft leather shoes and other luxury footwear articles. The word is derived from "cordwain", or "cordovan", the leather produced in Córdoba, Spain. The term cordwainer was used as early as 1100 in England...
's Technical College, London, a design school that was absorbed into the London College of Fashion
London College of Fashion
London College of Fashion is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, short courses and business-training in fashion, make-up, beauty-therapy and lifestyle industries...
in 2000. Cox studied at Cordwainer's from 1983 to 1985.
During his time as a student in London Cox spent as much time in nightclubs as he did studying. Through his partying Cox became friends with several well known designers, such as Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood
Dame Vivienne Westwood, DBE, RDI is a British fashion designer and businesswoman, largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream.-Early life:...
and John Galliano
John Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
who, at that time, were emerging stars. As a result, in 1984, Westwood asked Cox to design shoes to go with her "Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
" collection. One of the shoes that Cox created, incorporated a 6 inch platform that would become the prototype of a pair later worn by the English supermodel
Supermodel
The term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels...
, Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a British model. Scouted at the age of 15, she established herself among the top three most recognisable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and she was one of six models of her generation declared "supermodels" by the fashion world...
, when she fell during a Westwood fashion show
Fashion show
A fashion show is an event put on by a fashion designer to showcase his or her upcoming line of clothing during Fashion Week. Fashion shows debut every season, particularly the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. This is where the latest fashion trends are made...
in Paris, France in 1993.
Personal Life
Cox used to date Canadian journalist, entrepreneur, and magazine publisher Tyler BrûléTyler Brûlé
Tyler Brûlé is a Canadian journalist, entrepreneur, and magazine publisher. He is the editor-in-chief of Monocle and a columnist for the Weekend FT.-Early years:...
. They split up in 1996.
Working life
Cox set up his own company designing shoes in 1985 and in 1986, designed the shoes for John GallianoJohn Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
's "Fallen Angels" collection. Cox continued to work with Galliano for a further six seasons. Subsequently, Cox launched his own Patrick Cox label, adopting the fleur-de-lys logo.
In 1988 Cox moved his production from the UK to Italy where the shoes were made in various regions; Veneto, Toscana, and Marche - all of which are regions noted for shoe manufacture, Cox opened his first shop opposite the Peter Jones
Peter Jones (department store)
Peter Jones is a large, established and exclusive department store in central London. It is owned by John Lewis Partnership and located in Sloane Square, Chelsea.-History :...
department store in Sloane Square
Sloane Square
Sloane Square is a small hard-landscaped square on the boundaries of the fashionable London districts of Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Chelsea, located southwest of Charing Cross, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The square is part of the Hans Town area designed in 1771 by Henry...
, a well known fashion district of London. In 1993, Cox marketed his first collection designed for the mass market. This collection called "Wannabe" increased the company's annual sales from 4000 to 500,000 pairs in 13 months. In 1994, Cox opened his first store in Paris at 62 rue Tiquetonne, followed in 1995 by a second store in London at 129 Sloane Street, a new store in New York and a second store in Paris on rue de Grenelle. During this time, Cox was twice awarded Accessory Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards
British Fashion Awards
The British Fashion Awards is a ceremony held annually in the United Kingdom to present awards to those who have made the most outstanding contributions to British clothing design during the year. The awards include that of British Designer of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution as well as...
.
In 2000, Cox was approached by the fashion house Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan
Charles Jourdan was a French fashion designer known best for his designs of women's shoes starting in 1919. His name reached its greatest notoriety in the years since his death under the leadership of his sons, first with an emphasis on the use of innovative materials and later for more...
, and in January 2003 he was appointed Creative Director, his brief being to rejuvenate the brand. After 2 years of successful collaboration, Cox decided to move on to concentrate on the development of his own label.
In September 2010, Cox opened 'Cox Cookies & Cake', a baked goods shop in Soho, with Eric Lanlard
Eric Lanlard
Eric Lanlard is a French pâtissier .Lanlard was trained in Brittany and as a chocolatier in Luxembourg, and in UK has worked for Albert Roux. Lanlard has appeared as a guest chef on Great Food Live and his own programme Glamour Puds which began broadcast in March 2010...
. In keeping with local seedy business, the decor is black and neon, the staff wear leather aprons and chains and delicacies include titty and bum cupcakes along with his mother Maureen's Nanaimo bars (Canadian treat).
External links
- Patrick Cox - Official Website
- http://www.coxcookiesandcake.com/