How George Trochopoulos’ Stripe Design Became a Popular Style – WWD

Although the previous design experience was very little and only a few years fashion George Trochopoulos has become the right designer for some of today’s biggest stars.

The 20-year-old designer from London did not initially intend to pursue a career as a fashion designer, but first thought about law or software engineering. It was when he was looking for a safe space and a community that he decided to pursue fashion design.

“I’ve always been very creative and very playful, whether it’s because of my weirdness or something else, I’m not sure,” he explains. “[Fashion designer] was never seen as a job position by me or anyone in my life, but I basically started doing it and playing around. It’s the only way that I find myself successful in a space where I can be myself. It was the only thing that felt right and was a step towards the right place. It was never really about the clothes themselves or my fascination with dresses, it was about the fact that at the time I really needed a community and support, which could only be given by fashion. ”

Trochopoulos attended London College of Fashion, where he was studying for a knitting program. He entered the program with minimal design experience, only learning to sew during his last few years of high school.

After starting his first internship and getting solid, he started sharing his designs on social media. The designer’s signature style is his striped pattern on the skirts and tops, which is hand-knitted, stitched and dyed by him. He offered products via custom order last fall and slowly started building his social media following.

Trochopoulos says of his inspiration: “There were a lot of mixed and matched influences in my head. “I am obsessed with repeating patterns and seeing how they can be manipulated. So stripe for example: that’s something I stumbled upon five or six months ago and I’m still trying to come up with new ways to do it. “

Trochopoulos’ striped pattern caught the eye of fashion stylist Jared Ellner, who contacted the designer to deliver the blue-striped shirt to his client, YouTube star Emma Chamberlain.

The designer explains that photos of Chamberlain above his head went viral while he was in a remote town in Greece without Wi-Fi or cellular service. When he was finally able to use his phone again, he found that he had a huge following on social media and requested custom products. He quickly built his own website and started taking orders soon after.

After Chamberlain, a steady stream of celebrities wore Trochopoulos’ striped styles. Kendall Jenner was spotted in a custom knit top this summer and Miley Cyrus order a black striped knit dress. A photo of Cyrus in the dress is featured on a t-shirt the singer is selling as part of her merchandise collection.

Most recently, his dress was worn by model Deba and artist Darkwah Kyei-Darkwah at this week’s British Fashion Awards.

“I think regardless of style, color, size or texture, I am very interested in creating clothes that make people feel sexy,” says Trochopoulos of his designs. “Especially as a gay person who grew up in an unpopular space in a small town in Greece, it took me a very long time to feel sexy until this year. Sexy is just something that is very important to me because it correlates with freedom and excitement, especially sexual arousal.”

Trochopoulos’ next step is to assemble his first complete collection, which he will launch in London in February for fall 2022. The collection will include his signature striped motif. him, while experimenting with cutting, beading, and dyeing, as well as other accessories and shades like trousers and jackets.

READ MORE HERE:

What’s Next for Sustainable Fashion Designer Mia Vesper

How 12-year-old fashion designer Ariella Maizner got her designs into Walmart

How the next designer is figuring out the next big thing in fashion