BRAND

Martine Rose is a highly influential menswear label founded by British-Jamaican designer Martine Rose. The brand has gained recognition for its unique approach to fashion, remixing and transforming ordinary and banal elements into extraordinary and distinctive designs. With a focus on normcore aesthetics, Martine Rose combines retro stylings with everyday British wardrobe choices, creating a style that is both thrifty and new, boxy yet proportionate. The brand's designs showcase a fusion of subcultures, including rave, hip-hop, and punk, resulting in a truly unique and inclusive fashion experience.


HISTORY

Martine Rose, born in 1980 in Croydon, South London, has been immersed in various subcultures that have heavily influenced her designs. After graduating from Middlesex University with a degree in fashion design in 2002, she founded her eponymous label in 2007, focusing on menswear. From the beginning, Martine Rose challenged traditional fashion norms by showcasing her collections in unconventional spaces such as street markets and climbing gyms. Her disregard for seasonal calendars and expectations, at times due to financial constraints, further cemented her reputation as a boundary-pushing designer. In 2018, Martine Rose collaborated with Nike, releasing a capsule collection that showcased her unique take on tracksuits and the iconic Nike Monarch model. The collaboration garnered significant attention and further established Martine Rose as a leading force in the fashion industry.


DESIGNER

Martine Rose, a British-Jamaican menswear designer, draws inspiration from her upbringing and experiences within subcultures like raves, reggae, and punk. Her label has developed a devoted following, known for its exaggerated proportions and inclusive designs. While primarily a menswear designer, Rose creates her pieces with a broad spectrum of individuals in mind. Her use of fabrics typically associated with womenswear, such as fur, satin, and lurex, showcases her unique approach to blurring traditional gender boundaries in fashion. Martine Rose's impact extends beyond her label, with her consultancy work for Balenciaga under Demna Gvasalia elevating her profile in the industry. Her designs have been featured in notable fashion showcases, and her collaboration with Nike brought her work to a wider audience. Martine Rose continues to push boundaries and redefine menswear, offering a fresh perspective influenced by her lived experiences and cultural influences.