CHRISTOPHER JOHN ROGERS
At just 26, Louisanna-born designer Christopher John Rogers is one of the most talked about names in fashion. Rogers had an extremely successful 2019 - and has no plans of slowing down. Rogers won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and has dressed Michelle Obama, Lizzo, Cardi B, Tracee Ellis Ross and more in his eye-catching, flamboyant designs that illuminate his own fun personality. Rogers is also an activist - from his recent instagram series #CJRathome, to raise awareness regarding COVID19 relief efforts and using his platform to bring awareness about police brutality in the United States and systematic racism.
Rogers is not only a championing bringing Black culture to the top of the fashion industry, all during a period of reform and as discussions surrounding diversity sweep the industry, but also his queer culture. “My Louisianian upbringing, multicultural experiences during my time in school, and fascination with color and fabric are in tandem with my queerness and really informs what I do,” he explains.
Ty Gaskin: Your FW20 show had such a great turn out. How did all of the support after winning the Vogue Fashion Fund make you feel?
Christopher John Rodgers: It was nice to see all of the genuine interest in the work. What we do as a team is deeply personal and fueled by specific intention, so to know that people are attracted to that is great.
TG: How has lockdown been?
CJR: I wanted to travel home to Louisiana for a month or so to see my family, but I also didn’t want to get anyone sick. So I’m quarantining in Bushwick. It’s been nice to be forced to relax and have time to not focus on anything work-related.
TG: Were you always interested in fashion?
CJR: I initially was exposed to drawing, painting, and animation. I started art classes when I was around 9 or 10 and always loved animated TV shows. Once I was exposed to fashion, it immediately bridged all of my interests: color, character development, sculpture, mathematics, theater. I’ve always known that I wanted to cut and design clothes.
TG: How do you want people to perceive your work?
CJR: My team and I are artists first and foremost, so we try to lean into that instead of just making products to sell. Everything has a purpose for existing and we really believe in what we do.
TG: Where does your inspiration come from?
CJR: Life. Seeing people on the street, their personal style, their dreams for themselves. The work emerges from the grey space found between quotidian, pragmatic garments and peoples’ fantasies.
TG: Was there ever a moment you were challenged by what you identify as in the industry?
CJR: I identify as a queer man and I know that there’s always been a space in this industry for queer folks, espeically men. That’s definitely a very privileged position to be in, in that regard, in contrast to women who are held to a very different standard and offered different opportunities. Queer men get away with so much. Obviously being a person of color adds a very specific layer to the way that I move through the world, but I tend to work with and surround myself with people’s who are progressive in their approaches to life so you know, it is what it is.
TG: Do you find that your sexuality places a big part in who you are?
CJR: It definitely informs my experience, but it doesn’t define me or the work. My Louisianian upbringing, multicultural experiences during my time in school, and fascination with color and fabric in tandem with my queerness really informs what I do.
TG: How would you like to see the future of the relationship between diversity and inclusion and the fashion industry? For the industry to be just that: more diverse and inclusive. How do you feel the fashion industry will change post lockdown?
CJR: I think shit is gonna get burned down and rebuilt. I don’t know at what speed, but I’m excited to see real, genuine change and not just an interest in optics.
TG: Any plans for the upcoming S/S ‘21 season?
CJR: We’re planning on presenting the collection in a way that makes sense for us and is in line with our brand values. There’s always an interest in showing the work in an emotive way so we’ll try to find a way to debut it with that in mind, in a myriad of ways. Stay tuned.