To give you an insight into the Martine Rose design process, I thought I'd take you through my inspiration wall, which details all of the things that have contributed towards my signature piece for Timberland. My references points are eclectic - a mixture of street culture and music, military, sportswear and fashion imagery, and also novels and diaries.
Right now I'm reading The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs II. Burroughs is an American beatnik writer who popularized the 'cut up' and 'fold in' literary techniques. This consists of collating random bits of text to create a jarring, random collection of ideas, and I find this really inspiring.
I'm also really into Peter Beard at the moment. A photographer by trade, Beard also channeled a lot of creative energy into his collage work and diaries, which are just fantastic. His photographs of African animals encouraged me to look carefully at the natural world around me and take notice - I even use insects as colour references sometimes.
Despite my workload, I have managed to venture out of the studio. Recently I visited the Photographer's Gallery to see the Self Publish, Be Happy exhibition. An amazingly talented art director and one of my best friends, Patrick Waugh creates the BOYO fanzine and he was there signing copies. His work is beautiful and I find his collages really inspirational - I'm so proud of him.
Martine Rose A/W 09 collection
Martine Rose A/W 09 collection
I love this fabulous neon 'Exclusive' sign, taken from a black hair salon in Paris. I particularly enjoy the play on words with the ‘So white’ sign next door.
Images that reveal my interest in different textures and materials used I menswear: leather, rubber, flannel and nylon.
Martine Rose and the Timberland design team discuss ideas
Timberland fabric examples
Selection of zipper colours
Martine Rose and the Timberland design team discuss ideas
Selection of zippers
Martine Rose and the Timberland design team working on CAD drawings
Timberland mock up of Martine Rose signature design
Martine Rose shirt from AW 09 collection - inspiration for the Timberland garment
Martine Rose interview for Wallpaper.com
Timberland menswear pieces
My inspiration wall
This etching hangs above my computer desk. It’s called Clothing as Houses by Eric Gill
The notebooks of William Burroughs are wonderful sources of inspiration…
…as are the collages by Peter Beard
One of my best friends, Patrick Waugh, signing copies of BOYO at the Self Publish, Be Happy exhibition at the Photographer’s Gallery
Insects are inspiring colour references
Insects are inspiring colour references
This hat by Stephen Jones is very 1990s but I really like the shape and the mixed media concept
Timberland colour swatches
The signature Martine Rose detail
Dean and I working on the jacket
-
Waiting for Ideas have recast the turntable as a minimal aluminium altar for vinyl worshipThe PP-1 turntable is an ultra-minimal, all-aluminium record player designed to enhance the vinyl experience
-
Fendi celebrates 100 years with an all-out runway show at its new Milan HQIn the wake of Kim Jones’ departure, Silvia Venturini Fendi took the reins for a special co-ed A/W 2025 collection marking the house’s centenary, unveiling it as the first act of celebrations within Fendi’s expansive new headquarters in Milan
-
‘Leigh Bowery!’ at Tate Modern: 1980s alt-glamour, club culture and rebellionThe new Leigh Bowery exhibition in London is a dazzling, sequin-drenched look back at the 1980s, through the life of one of its brightest stars
