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EASTPAK Artist Studio

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William Broome

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Bio

William Broome

William Broome has been likened to a cross between Zippy from Rainbow and The Night of the Living Dead. Born and raised in Nottinghamshire, he ended up applying to study fashion design at St. Martins, despite knowing nothing about the reputation of the college and its alumni. William has since worked for such names as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Missoni, Hugo Boss, Becks and Vans. He has designed a range of ‘Will Broome for Topshop’ T-shirts and even a dinner service for Wedgwood to celebrate their 250th anniversary. William has exhibited in London and Paris, and sold to private collectors in New York, Paris, London and Copenhagen. Amongst others, he has also been featured in POP magazine, Dazed & Confused, Wallpaper, i-D, the Guardian and WGSN.

Interview

What has been your inspiration for the EASTPAK Artist Studio Bag(s)?


The first thing I thought about was the rucksack I had for school. I used to have one of those sort of fabric ex-army rucksacks, everyone had that style of rucksack at school. You could paint, draw, sew badges on them. So the uniform became individual. That was what you tried to do with school uniform wasn't it? Subvert it as far as you could.

Anyway, I wanted sew on patches and hand drawn stuff as an homage to my school bag

Which city do you live in – can you tell us what it’s best kept secret is? 


I live in London. I moved here 20 years from Nottingham to go to St. Martins Art College…that sounds a bit like a song doesn't it? I'm not sure I 'had a thirst for knowledge' though. 



Some people just don't 'get it', they are a bit scared of London but it's a great city, I love living in London. 

Here's a secret...an original Jamie Reid ‘Sex Pistols’ poster still survives in an alley way in Soho. You can get great Scotch Eggs at the ‘Harwood Arms’ in Fulham. ‘The Coach & Horses’ in Soho is still great, they wrecked ‘The Three Greyhounds’ years ago…..I like pubs, can you tell?

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I went to Hong Kong last week…..that was a first

Can you name three major things on your ‘bucketlist’ – three things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket’…


Is this a bit like ‘Jim'll Fix It’?



It wouldn't be bungee jumping that's for sure, I’m terrified of heights.

Or swimming with dolphins. I always wonder whether people would be so keen to swim with dolphins if they lived in the river Thames as opposed to the crystal clear waters of the Maldives or wherever.

I’d like to drive on route 66. I love America, and I know what's on the edges, the east and west coast, but I’ve never seen the middle bit.

I’d like to go into space. I’m part of the 'star wars generation', I still feel let down and a bit disappointed that we don't live on mars.

I want to do a cartoon or an animated film, featuring my drawings of course

The proceeds from the sales of your bag will go entirely to Designers Against AIDS – What are your views on safe sex? Do you personally think it’s still important?

Of course, I remember when AIDS first appeared and I think I am part of a generation that took the idea of safe sex very seriously. I recall it being pretty terrifying.



Heroes of mine like Keith Haring and Freddie Mercury and iconic figures of my youth like Kenny Everett, Derek Jarman amongst others succumbed to aids related illnesses.

I think that it is very important that the safe sex message isn't forgotten.


William Broome