JOHN PATRICK, ORGANIC BY JOHN PATRICK
Dec
9
AS A PIONEER OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE FASHION, ART MUST IMITATE LIFE. HAVE THESE ETHICS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF YOUR LIFE AND WAS THERE A PARTICULAR MOMENT THAT LED YOU TO FOCUS YOUR WORK SOLELY ON RESPONSIBLY-MADE, ORGANIC CLOTHING?
My mother and father influenced the way I evolved because they allowed me to do whatever I wanted from a very young age – I’m talking 10 years old – I went to what was commonly known as a “free school” in the 1970s. So NOTHING shocks me – I have pretty much either seen or heard or read about every concept, food movement, political shift of the past 200 years if not more.
Posterity and the cycle of time is of great interest to me. I bought my farm in 1987 after that crash – I’d done the 80s and saw the results – dark streets – failed businesses – very few people who were 25 years old were moving to upstate New York – most people were leaving – so I’m a bit of a contrarian in that way – now they call us the early adapters. I call it seeing the writing on the wall. Abandoned buildings, old unused farms were my catnip and also a huge fashion inspiration – so when I voiced the American Gothic collection September 2008 and said the crash was here, people thought I was nuts as I was planning that – and 2 weeks later all hell broke loose. If people carefully look at each season the message and the intent is clear and obvious.
When the world shifted from 20th century to 21st century and I was at a loss to really comprehend how I could be relevant, I was inspired and directed by a higher power to do what it believed in – and throw caution and planning to the wind. I also knew exactly what I wanted as I slowly thought about the work and designed only what I absolutely believed in.
YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEGUN TO OFFER BEAUTIFUL PIECES FOR THE HOME THAT VERY CLEARLY REFLECT THE SENSIBILITIES OF ORGANIC, EACH DESIGNED, MADE AND SELECTED WITH GREAT INTEGRITY. WHAT’S NEXT FOR JOHN PATRICK AND ORGANIC BY JOHN PATRICK?
I think that we are focusing on talking directly to our community and people who share our values and understand the inherent value of a very plain New York State handmade box that took me half a year to develop – my work tends to be invisible because I am very very stubborn and have a hard time with anything that’s flashy.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST RIGHT NOW?
I am inspired by people who do what they believe in well.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
Sometimes sadness brings me joy – fleeting memories of simple conversations. And my partner of 30 plus years Walter and our border collie Kip bring me the greatest joy of all – just being together at home – Kip is getting goats in the spring!!!
COMB OR BRUSH?
Both of course.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR NAME?
I am thankful that I actually was given a name!
FINISH THIS SENTENCE. MY AGE IS…………….
Irrelevant.
WHAT’S FOR DINNER TONIGHT?
Depends what the fish of the day is down in Pescadero, Baja Sur where I am going today to catch the waves – “Fish taco”!!! 🙂