Rockstar Designers

Rockstars have always been style setters. But now they are taking the lead, designing clothes themselves. Here are three whose clothes I enjoy almost as much as their music.

Pretty Green is the brainchild of Liam Gallagher, the singer from Oasis and features a mix of 60s meets 90s clothing that somehow manages to transcend its influences so it doesn’t look like you’re playing dress up. The label is named for the song by The Jam. You’ll find parkas, track jackets, polo shirts, and bucket hats for everyday wear. I particularly like their paisley shirts. But Pretty Green really shines when it offers a themed collection such as collaborations with The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and others. I own two suits inspired by ones worn by Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney during the famous “Mad Day Out” photo shoots.

Basic Rights was started by Freddy Cowan, guitarist with the Vaccines. Basic Rights makes staple clothing with a rock ‘n’ roll edge and a nod to the Savile Row heritage of designer David Chambers (who makes sure that the tailoring is first-rate). You can find heavyweight t-shirts, high-waisted trousers in cotton, wool, and corduroy, and short sleeve camp collar shirts in linen. The label prides itself on sustainability and even features a “rubbish” collection made from luxury, end-of-roll fabrics, or recycled yarns that would’ve ended up in landfill.

After dabbling in fashion through collabs with Pretty Green and Ben Sherman, Paul Weller, the Modfather himself (The Jam, The Style Council) got together with Phil Bickley, the owner of Tonic a clothing store at the end of Portobello Road in West London to come up with Real Stars Are Rare. Primarily featuring smart tailoring in the form of dressy windowpane trousers with turn-ups (I own a pair), wool double breasted jackets, car coats, knit jumpers, and dress shirts this (unfortunately defunct) label brought a “modernist” sensibility to contemporary dressing. Unfortunately, the Real Stars Are Rare collection is no longer available either online or from the shop. You can, however still find pieces being sold on eBay.

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