24 Hours With… Christopher John Rogers

Meet the designer bringing joy to the world of high fashion. Hailing from Louisiana, Christopher John Rogers is the NYC-based name on the fashion world’s lips - not to mention their awards lists. Since becoming 2019’s CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund winner, Rogers has gone on to win 2020’s Emerging Designer Of The Year and 2021’s American Womenswear Designer Of The Year from the CFDA, alongside earning a spot as a 2021 LVMH Prize finalist. With pieces that encourage their wearer to take up space, we asked Rogers to take us through a day of inspiration in his multi-coloured world.

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Love waking up to fresh flowers in my Bushwick Apartment – this Sophie Lou Pitcher makes the perfect vase.

“I’m always taking pictures of found items on the street - whether it’s garbage bags, takeout bags, or candy wrappers. I keep these photos on my phone and eventually they make their way onto my mood boards each season.”

“When the flowers match your mohair sweater… me in the studio!”

Morning

What time do you wake up and where?
I usually wake up at 6:30 or 6:45 in my apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Press snooze for another 10-15 minutes!

Where are you usually based?
My office is in downtown Manhattan, so I'm probably there.

What does your average day look like?
Usually a morning workout, quick shower, and then I head to the studio. I NEED a morning iced coffee (even when it's freezing outside), and then proceed to quickly check emails and plan out my day once I get to my desk.

Do you have any rituals?
I have to listen to Róisín Murphy at least once a day. I've always admired not only her musicality, lyricism, and experimentalism, but also her personal style. She's definitely a muse for me and helps me get in a creative mood.

Where is your studio located and how do you get there?
My studio is located in Soho, and I take the J train from Brooklyn to get there.

“Samples from our Pre-Fall collection on the rack ready for our production fittings.”

“Production fittings with our fit model. I’m so excited to bring this Banana yellow moiré frock to Browns this summer!”

“Production review and pass-off with Alexandra, David, and Shea from my team.”

Daytime

How would you describe what you do?
A little bit of everything! A lot of managing calendars, checking in with my staff on the various projects that we're doing, general admin stuff, calls. I'm accounts receivable, accounts payable, HR, etc. The actual creative, fashion aspect of the job is about 20-30 percent of my day lately, but will probably pick up a little more as we get closer to spring.

How has your background influenced who you are today?
I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana - not necessarily a hotbed for fashion! My parents, family and friends have always supported me since I was young and instilled in me that I could accomplish my wildest dreams by putting in the work and staying humble. That experience made me unshakable in my creative vision, and a very, very determined and hard worker.

How did you get your start in fashion?
Comic books! My friends and I would illustrate our own comics in elementary school, and the fact that they always wore the same thing (as fictional characters usually do), led us to explore the idea of designing the clothes and exploring what those possibilities could look like. I've always enjoyed the idea of clothes having a transformative element that helps you tap into some hidden power.

What was the impetus behind starting your label?
Firstly, it's something that I've always wanted for myself. Secondly, I found that there was a lack of opportunity for my type of fashion in New York City, especially when I started the brand back in 2016.

“The early afternoon light in our Soho Studio.”

“Celebrations in the studio always call for cupcakes – blue velvet is my favorite, and not just for the flavor! I’m tempted to use this as a color standard for a future collection.”

What are the most important factors for the brand?
Silhouette, color, an attention to detail, and a sense of play whilst still being refined.

How do you get into a creative headspace?
Over the past year and a half, I've learned that I can't force it -- I have to just let it happen. Music usually helps me get there. I have some of my best ideas on the subway or in the shower.

Whilst working, where do you go and what do you do to take a break?
I work in my studio (I now have a nifty little office as of this year!), and for breaks I usually walk around the block, or grab a second iced coffee for the day. I'm trying to be better about taking vacations and time off for myself, so we'll see how that pans out this year...

Do you have a favourite piece from your new collection?
One of my favorite pieces from Collection 008 is our BBQ Print Gown in an Italian Mikado. I found this printed vintage shirt online that I was obsessed with, but unfortunately it didn't fit when it arrived, so we turned it into this gown! It's full of volume but super lightweight, and a classic shape so it can be worn again and again.

Who would you most like to see wearing it?
Anyone! I'm equally as delighted to see a celebrity wearing something as I am seeing someone out in the street.

“Found inspiration on my evening commute – loved this shade of green.”

“Coming home to a gift from Jono Pandolfi of their beautiful ceramics is a great way to end the day.”

Evening

What’s on your bookshelf right now?
I've been contemplating picking Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events back up...

What do you usually do for dinner?
More often than not, I grab a salad for lunch, so I usually splurge with a pasta or burger for dinner.

What time do you go to bed?
I try to aim for 10pm, but it's probably closer to midnight.

Last thing you do before you sleep?
Moisturize and down a LaCroix.

What do you dream about?
I haven't been remembering my dreams as often anymore, but when I do, they usually look like Disney's Fantasia, or I'm running away from some giant animal or something.

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