Standing at 6ft 2, with a slender, elegant frame which would not seem out of place on stage at Sadler’s Wells, it is almost an understatement to describe Richard Biedul’s presence as striking; his personality shines through each shoot, whilst ultimately always doing justice to the garments.
Equally striking is Richard’s understanding of men’s fashion, the industry and being a creative force within his own right; collaborating with many well-known titles, and recently forming his own ‘360 degree creative studio’ working with brands throughout the design process, offering creative direction and production solutions.
When not modelling clothing for others, Richard’s own style is eclectic, fun, personal - effortlessly playing with form, proportion and silhouette in a way which is immediately captivating and natural.
We had the opportunity to speak to Richard of late, I was delighted to dicover how our thoughts on aesthetics aligned - especially regarding the new 893 Bootcut; as well as how keen he was to work with Bryceland’s. After that initial conversation, the rest fell into place.
The location - Duke of London Classic Cars, offered up a timeless space on the rooftop car park. With clean lines and a touch of brutalist design, their astounding collection of classic cars only seemed right to use - I mean, if you are going to accessorise a Bryceland’s outfit with anything, a 1977 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 200 Series 2 is a pretty good option.
Q/ What were/are you initial thoughts of Bryceland’s from the outside and someone well acquainted with the vast world of ‘menswear’?
Firstly I’d just like it on record that I’ve been an admirer of the brand for a long time, so it was an absolute pleasure to finally have the opportunity to work with you all!
For me, Bryceland’s operates in a really interesting space that occupies both “menswear” (in the traditional sense) and also the world of “fashion”. And the beauty of the latter part is that you don’t do this consciously, you don’t create product based on trend, you create product using unique reference points to the past, in an industry that is built upon the ciclical nature of dressing. When you walk into
The store you can see the vast array of historical references points you’ve drawn down on to create something incredibly relevant to now.
Pictured: Grecian Slippers Black Suede, Grecian Slippers Tan Suede & Wellema x Bryceland's Silverbelly
"Everything has been made with purpose to be worn with / to integrate with every other garment you’ve made in the past."
Q/ Of our collections - past and present, what is it, or what items are you naturally drawn towards?
I of course adore the bootcut denim, the opera pumps and western shirts, mainly because they reflect my own everyday aesthetic. But what I really love is that you’ve built out an entire world based around the ideologies that we spoke about previously. Everything has been made with purpose to be worn with / to integrate with every other garment you’ve made in the past.
Q/ As we discussed, what is it about a bootcut style or fit that most resonates with your personal style?
For me, the bootcut is an incredibly nuanced item of clothing that can operate as a companion to anything from casual wear to formal wear. Obviously on the western / workwear side of things you have a long standing utilitarian history and myriad of references to draw from. But on the formal side I love pairing mine together with shirt, tie and blazers; even tuxedo jackets a la Ralph. It really creates a great juxtaposition.
Q/ For those unsure about a bootcut style, how would you recommend they approach or think about them as an item to work into one's wardrobe
Think of it as an elegant (more directional) alternative to a straight cut. It shows you’re slightly more considered in your choices. on a basic level they will elongate the leg and the kick at the bottom will act as a nice counter point to a voluminous shirt, or a strong shouldered sports jacket.
Q/ From the styled items worn on the day, what was your favourite piece which took you by surprise?
I’ve always loved the cabana shirts and toweling that you’ve done, they are not only incredibly well proportioned but the fabrication is always incredibly fun.
Q/ The shoot itself: with the location and being surrounded with such beautiful cars in our clothing, did it make you feel or move in a certain way - evoking a time period or reference of style you tapped into?
I think the use of the classic cars in complimentary colours to the garments really leant into the aesthetic we were going for. But the clean modern location brought something very fresh to it. I only wish we had been asked to shoot more looks!
Not to worry Richard, there will be plenty more looks to shoot over the next seasons; with a huge thank you for your time; as well as Duke of London for letting us use their space and borrow some beautiful cars. For those interested in Dukes, follow the link below.
For those interested in some more styling, keep an eye out for our interview with tailor Kimberly Lawton, and her take on Bryceland's & the 893 bootcut
