February 2024
Photography: Clare Shilland

‘THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO—IT IS ALL BEGINNING!’ – Philip Guston.

Dear Friends 

Here we are, ten years of Toogood clothing collections later.

I have been thinking a lot about the artist Philip Guston. His colours, his mark-making yes – but mostly his attitude. Ten years ago Erica and I created Toogood clothing from a place of rebellion. It was very black and quite angry. I don’t necessarily feel angry now. I’m looking for joy and laughter and playfulness.

Toogood were one of the first to start working with universal clothing – that is clothing inclusive of all expressions of gender, relatable for all ages and adaptable for all bodies. Navigating creative design and business is not easy. You find yourself getting pushed down a certain route, needing to fit into lots of boxes. Separate Menswear / Womenswear? Tick. “But will men wear pink?” It's ridiculous. The conversation has got more interesting, but there's still so much to be done. So in my own way, I guess I'm just trying to stomp my feet and set my own parameters.

Collection 020 is a combination of crisp and soft. Nothing too structured, but still with a sense of sculptural scale. A lot of pieces are without fittings and fixtures, giving a sense of freedom. 

I love how Guston restricted himself to a very specific palette and represented the world around him. In my own way I’m trying to restrict what I feel is important about Toogood, and to reaffirm that statement again. I'm excited about breaking down some of the labels that may be associated with not just Toogood, but how we're wearing our clothes at the moment.

Love Faye