Introducing Domingo Rodriguez...

by Akilah Russell

London College of Fashion MA Design and Technology graduate Domingo Rodriguez talks to Akilah Russell about showcasing his menswear collection at the famous MC2 fashion showroom in Paris.

Armed with a laptop in his right hand and a rail of clothes in the left, MA graduate Domingo Rodriguez carefully makes his way through the mannequin minefield that is the Design and Technology studio.

‘‘Before I went to university I didn’t even know how to sew!’’ admitted Rodriguez, 22, as he takes a seat next to his latest collection.

With his highly anticipated second collection in production in Italy, as well as his work being showcased at the famous MC2 fashion showroom in Paris the award-winning menswear designer Rodriguez is set to become a household name in 2010, only months after his graduation.

Pursuing a dream

In 2008 Rodriguez, the oldest of three children, made what he describes as a ‘‘great decision’’ to take his ‘‘secret passion for fashion’’ further by moving from Liverpool’s John Moores university, to the London College of Fashion: ‘‘The LCF reputation is very strong in the industry – and it really helps when you say that you have been here. It is not a pretentious fashion college, there is room to create and just be, so great things can come from that’’

Awarded the Harold Tillman scholarship (which is organised by it’s namesake, the chair of the British Fashion Council and an LCF alumnus;.

Rodriguez is openly grateful for the support LCF has given him: ‘‘The tutors here are amazing and they give you great advice. In fact, my collection was going to be in dark colours but one of my tutors suggested that I do it in lighter colours, and so I did, and now it looks amazing,’’ revealed Rodriguez.

He spoke candidly about the many benefits of enrolling onto the MA Design and Technology course: “It developed me in very different ways, design- wise. You get to travel to different countries and visit these amazing fashion houses and fashion production places and that could really make a difference to your collection,” he said.

He carefully picked up one of his coats from his collection and placed it on his lap by way of example, before continuing: ‘‘Nearly all the fabrics were donated to us by different fabric companies that we have visited or done work with. The leather for this jacket was specially made.

‘‘Overall, I guess I did have to work harder than others, maybe because I had to start from the basics when I started in fashion. I didn’t even have a sewing machine in the beginning,’’ he laughs.

“I literally had to learn to put things together,and use the tools. It was starting from scratch, completely new,’’ he added.

Decision making

Rodriguez had originally planned to pursue a career in fashion photography.

Now publically acclaimed as a menswear designer, Rodriguez said he ‘‘had to make some changes’’ early in his career as a designer by switching from womenswear to menswear: ‘‘I tried womenswear but it didn’t fit. I couldn’t relate to the female form; withmenswear it came naturally to me, and things got much easier,’’ he said.

Fast forward four years and two collections later, Rodriguez reflects: ‘‘Looking back, although it was really hard work, it does pay off. I love what I do,” he said. His latest collection, which he lovingly calls his ‘‘baby’’, made its debut at the highly-publicised MA fashion showcase last month in front of a star studded audience at the V&A : ‘‘This collection took me six months to make altogether. Your work really does become your baby. You spend so long working on it and then making it – it all comes from you – and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t actually proud of my collection,’’ he said.

 

While talking through his ‘‘human figure’’ inspired collection piece by piece, Rodriguez explains how he puts all his ideas into the clothes: ‘‘The patterns and shapes were made to fit the scaffolding lines of the human figure.

 

"The colours are flesh and bone tones. Even the sleeve is custom made and tailored to replicate the way the shoulder bones curve smoothly".

Gaining industry recognition

Rodriguez interns at reowned Delphine Wilson Knitwear as well as Kim Jones and Carolyn Massey, and explains how all the internships have influenced his own work: ‘‘The experiences have definitely accented my collection in some ways,’’ he revealed.

With production for retail sale in action, he spoke frankly about the potential success of his collection which he describes as ‘‘soft, sleek and refined’’: ‘‘I think it will do well in retail, because you could buy one or two pieces and match them or layer them with other things you may own.’’

When questioned about the collection’s price range due to its luxurious fabrics, such as the mink coat, he laughed and said: ‘‘Yes, it might be a bit pricey for those!’’

With a job working for BBC Blast as a fashion host, Rodriguez is keen to help fashion the future through his work: ‘‘I think that being quite young myself, I understand how it feels to not quite know how to get started with a career. I have come really far, and it’s cool to help and guide other people along as well,’’ he said.

He admitted that he is thrilled to see what becomes of his collection this year: ‘‘I am really excited to see how everything turns out, because everything has gone so well.

"And the response from the industry has been so welcoming and well received, but we will still have to see,’’ he said.

With such high expectations from him he confesses that the immense pressure is beginning to take its toll:“Am I nervous? Yes! It is nerve-racking!’’ he laughed.

With his fashion future already looking bright Rodriguez has high expectations for his career: ‘‘In 10 years I hope that I will be a household name. I hope I will have my collections sold over the entire world if possible. I think it is every designer’s dream, and it is mine too. I just hope it comes true!’’

Domingo Rodriguez’s collection can be viewed at MC2, 41, rue de Saintonge 75003 Paris,and online at: www.domingorodriguez.co.uk/