How did the RIXO story start?

Henrietta: Orlagh and I met at university – we were both studying Fashion Management at London College of Fashion. I remember our first lecture; Orlagh came in holding a gorgeous vintage bag, and we just instantly connected. At that time, we were both quite different from our peers, in the sense that we loved going to vintage shops and charity shops, and had a similar sense of style. We lived together during the last year of uni and then set RIXO up about six months after we graduated. So it genuinely started from our uni living room, with no contacts in the industry or real-life work experience.

Orlagh: Interestingly, during uni we did a project together, and it was through that project we realised we work really well together. The tutor actually commented on how in sync we were and recommended we work together again. So that might have planted the seed…

Describe RIXO in three words…

O: I’ll go with eclectic, fun and confident.

What makes RIXO special?

O: We have a distinctive look and are proud of it. Every piece is designed to be treasured for decades to come, which means we are not a trend-led brand. We celebrate individuality and don’t want everyone to look the same. 

H: On top of that, we are multi-generational. We often have mothers and daughters shopping together. Our silhouettes flatter every woman, irrespective of age, season and size. It’s definitely a point of difference we’re proud of. 

Why did you want to collaborate with John Lewis?

O: Like us, you dress women of all ages, and want them to feel like the best version of themselves. And we felt aligned to John Lewis’ forward-thinking fashion vision. 

H: John Lewis is such an iconic department store in Britain. John Lewis stands for quality and service and that’s important to us.

How did the collaboration come to life?

O: Whenever we collaborate, it’s really important to us that every step is genuinely collaborative, and every detail is considered. When it came to designing the collection, we considered what was unique to John Lewis, and that led us to the print archives. The collection features an exclusive print, across three styles, drawn from the John Lewis Partnership Archive, dating back to 1849. Then we developed the shapes, working with Jacqui Markham, the Fashion Creative Director at John Lewis. I think this collection is really unique and special.

How do you hope the John Lewis customer will feel wearing the new collection?

H: First of all, I hope they feel excited to see it in store – we’re so happy the collection will be in every single John Lewis store and accessible to all. We also hope people feel really special in the pieces, because they are limited edition.

O: This is John Lewis’ biggest fashion collaboration to date, so from the 44-piece collection we really want people to find their favourite style and wear it forever – a piece of future vintage. It’s important they feel the pieces are flattering, not that it’s something that sits in their wardrobe that they don’t feel they can easily style and wear.

“The collection features an exclusive print, across three styles, drawn from the John Lewis Partnership Archive, dating back to 1849.”

What’s your favourite piece from the collection?

H: The John Lewis x RIXO Dona Long Sleeve Floral Jacquard Maxi Dress, it’s a stunning style.

O: For me, it’s the John Lewis x RIXO Carina Sweetheart Floral Print Maxi Dress or the John Lewis x RIXO Vesper Print Cap Sleeve Maxi Dress – these are the dresses that bring to life the special John Lewis Archive floral print.

What do you wish you’d known before starting in your industry?

H: It would have been nice to know that after 11 years RIXO would still be going from strength to strength. Knowing that would have given us confidence, because it’s scary and daunting when you first start a business. 

O: And not to be afraid that you’re not in the fashion circle; we didn’t need the trends, we had intuition about how women wanted to dress and feel.

What do you think the future of fashion looks like?

O: I think personal style will continue to grow. People will block out the noise of social media and advertising and dress for themselves.