Rock n roll fashion has always had a sinister reputation for being perceived as gauche making it difficult for women to embrace it.

However, thanks to British-born Los Angeles-based designer Miss Paula Thomas, the style is witnessing a sort of revolution but with a high-end contemporary touch.

Thomas has kept the rock n roll style alive appealing to the abandon which is intrinsic to this sort of fashion but she is doing it with poise, never once letting go of the beautiful feminine essence.

She is the sole architect of this increasingly popular trend which, for women worldwide, has become a strong catalyst to assert their bold role in society.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, she opens up about how she was introduced to the fashion world plus what it means to her on a personal level and much more.

Making a foray into designing

Through the film world, Thomas got to see and experience fashion at its best. She played a Bond girl in the movie called “A View to a Kill” starring Roger Moore and Grace Jones. “After the completion of the movie, I moved to London where my modeling career began to take shape as I anticipated. I spent a good 20 years doing modeling,” she says.

No wonder she was pretty much into fashion from the start. “I have been in the fashion industry all my adult life so I have a love-hate sort of relationship with it; as with all businesses there are things to love and then there are things that challenge you. But I can honestly say the world of fashion has been good to me. I have many great friends because of it.”

She added that she gets to create what she loves— so she personally enjoys fashion because she gets to create her way. “The best part is that hopefully this resonates with other women out there. Let’s say so far so good,” she laughs.

She was predestined to become a designer and run her own line. After all, she knew so much about both sides of the fence that it seemed like an organic process for her to cross over from model to designer. Although she worked with a renowned Welsh designer Julien MacDonald in different roles— sometimes helping him in designing the collections whereas at other times going out with him to sell the designed pieces to international clients as well as collaborating with him on dressing celebs. So when he asked her to come and join Givenchy, she knew she wanted to do something of her own.

Launch of Thomas Wylde as a label

Every brand in the market is special in some way or the other because of certain attributes. So is Thomas Wylde as a luxury clothing and accessories brand. When asked what the major traits of her brand are, she explained, “When I first launched the brand, print played one of the biggest factors and still does to this day. Of course I use the skull but I find a way to use it which sets it apart from the rest — it seems refined and sophisticated with an edge.”

And most importantly, it’s clear that the skull has played a vital role in fashion as she points out, “I feel it’s one such iconic symbol that will always be present in fashion.”

Asked what she wanted her brand to look like when it was brought to life, she said, “At the launch of the brand in 2006, I wanted to offer the idea of this rock n roll lifestyle but in the sophisticated manner that worked for all age groups and personalities. I feel I achieved just that as people from all walks of life were drawn to the original skull print that I showered my initial collection of scarves with and from there it just took off for me.”

More so, her life in Los Angeles is a little more laid back as compared to her old street life in London which as two different entities, in a way, helped her in cultivating the idea of the brand. “It was a mix of fine silk skull printed kaftans with studded leather pants etc that was the beginning of the brand,” she says.

As a fashion designer, her life has changed dramatically. “For the first time in my life I am doing something for myself and not being dictated to by another person`s creativity and I now understand how difficult it is to keep the freshness and identity of my brand current,” she says. “Also I have a greater appreciation for the brands that have stood the test of time and I am honored and proud when the woman who truly falls in love with Thomas Wylde wears and enjoys what I do. My life is about work most of the time which was a big change for me but I love it and I would not want it any other way.”

Inspired by her English heritage

Since she is British her designs evoke English culture and customs. “My designs are definitely influenced by my English style and sensibility which have never left me.

I grew up in London in the early ‘80s surrounded by designers like John Galliano, Pam Hogg, Katharine Hamnett, and Vivienne Westwood,” explains Thomas. “It was a fun creative time and I think this left a big impression on me and helped mold my own sense of style.”

To do something like this, one certainly needs to think more broadly but creatively. “So where does her inspiration come from?” She said instantly, “I can find it anywhere. You just have to keep your eyes open and look around. However, I like to take the macabre and turn it into something you wouldn’t expect. That’s what keeps it interesting for me.”

She also likes to take genres and mix them up. She believes she isn’t a designer that likes to be on trend. Rather, she takes a different path altogether. “I prefer to do blue when everyone else is doing red and making things with a multi-functional approach to design is very appealing to me as it brings comfort and ease to my women plus makes them feel fabulous and different in today’s very competitive world of fashion.”

As she intends to expand her line worldwide and plans to open her second store in the Middle East in the not-too-distant future, it’s definitely another lucrative market for her to explore and make the most of it. The fashion scenario looks promising here. “I am very excited to come and present the full world of brand in this region. I have a wonderful partnership with buyers here and the product is doing very well,” she says. “Right now we are in the middle of developing our first denim line which will hit the stores soon. The denim line will be launched in stores along with a full collection of a second line which will include t-shirts, sweats, cashmere, silk and suiting groups, along with accessories and shoes.

Her SS15 Collection titled “WICKED” is inspired by the1960s baroque vibe with a Spanish flair. It has the same DNA of the brand just a different theme and concept.

Asked what her brand stands as a fashion label, she said, “Thomas Wylde for me stands for a unique product that’s not over distributed. Rather, it’s about creating a product that my followers feel good about purchasing and wearing season after season.”

With her flagship store in LA now, she has achieved another milestone. It has brought to life a lifestyle concept where you can experience the full breadth of the world she lives; what she does from soft furnishings to fine jewelry, RTW and accessories. “I don’t want it to just be about fashion because there are far more important things to offer that encompass the lives we live,” she says.

Not only that, she has great plans up her sleeve for the New Year. She will be bringing new projects to the brand. “The first new project being is ‘Thomas Wylde Maison’ which will be considered the premiere line. New fabrications and a lot more embellishments will differentiate the new first line from the Thomas Wylde second line,” she explains. “Along with the launch of the new line will be an e-commerce platform and a new website dedicated to the world of Thomas Wylde. This will be launching around June/July 2015,” she said.

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