Interviews
1 December 2024
If someone asks you, you’ll tell them that this is where you first saw him. Rory William Docherty – remember that name, because you’re likely to see it again in the future. This New Zealand-born designer, known for creating timeless pieces, has caught the eye of La Grande Boutique. Discover his exclusive interview and, like us, fall for this brand that’s one to follow closely.
I grew up with Scottish parents in the New Zealand countryside. My father is an art teacher, so I started drawing at a very young age. My love for fashion comes from there. I studied fashion design at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. At 20, I worked for Prada and Yohji Yamamoto in London, where I developed a love for craftsmanship, conceptual design, and the importance of a strong brand identity.
Afterward, I worked for a large multinational supplier, including TopShop. Overall, I’ve been in the fashion industry my entire adult life, and I’ve always wanted to be a designer. I now live in New Zealand, where I’ve worked in design and production before launching my own brand.
I’ve often been influenced by artists or art movements. I always come back to Francis Bacon, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Ben Nicholson, and Cy Twombly. As for designers, I really admire Martin Margiela, particularly during his time at the helm, Yves Saint Laurent in the late 70s, and Yohji Yamamoto, especially his menswear. Generally, I love workwear, anything utilitarian, and traditional clothing like the kilt.
Rory William Docherty is synonymous with timeless craftsmanship and slow fashion, which means we work outside of the seasons. Every print is based on my own drawings and paintings, reimagined on iconic silhouettes.
Each piece of Rory William Docherty carries a sensitivity that evokes an emotion and a connection. The clothes are made to last in beautiful fabrics, with great attention to comfort. If I had to sum up the brand, I’d say: essential, optimistic, understated, and relevant.
I have a very broad clientele, ranging from 18 to 80 years old. They are women, men, non-binary individuals, and transgender people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. What they all have in common is a certain self-confidence, an appreciation for craftsmanship and quality, and a deep love for creativity. I believe my clothes allow them to express their individuality and creativity.
They’re like the title of a book or a chapter. I hope they summarize or hint at a feeling or the overall mood of the collection. I want them to intrigue the customer and invite them to come discover the collection.
Inspiration evolves and overlaps. I’m often inspired by what’s happening around me, in my immediate environment, or more broadly by what’s going on from a social, economic, environmental, or climatic perspective. I’m driven by questions like: What do we need? What do we want to put in our wardrobes now and in the future? Who does it serve, how, and why? How will we do it, and what impact will it have? Aesthetic inspiration is diverse and often appears fragmented, but it’s always the result of external observations and internal reflections. I draw from everything: urban environments, architecture, artistic movements, literature, and the abundance of nature.
I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I cry all the time! Whether it’s from watching romantic movies, at a wedding, or even during a commercial on TV! I can sob uncontrollably from beginning to end during a film… My partner makes me laugh. He brings a smile to my face every evening when I come home from the studio. My family and friends make me laugh, especially at myself, which is a wonderful remedy for stress and helps me not take myself too seriously.
