Rory William Docherty

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand?

I create seasonless pieces, incorporating textiles based on my own original hand-drawn and painted artworks for my namesake brand, Rory William Docherty (RWD).

Speaking to individuals, my pieces transcend seasons, gender, and age. Merging the poetic with the practical, they express masculinity and femininity, blending grace and drama with easy, universal staples — Re-Work Jeans, refined knitwear, and relaxed cotton shirting.

Each garment is carefully crafted from exclusive original silk prints, Italian wool and cashmere, deadstock fabrics, Japanese suiting and outerwear, Egyptian cotton, Merino jersey, and fully fashioned knitwear.

My creative process begins with drawings that evolve into paper maquettes, which are then enlarged and draped into fluid, sculptural shapes. 3D forms interplay with 2D depictions, blurring the lines of depth and perception. The conceptual is refined into garments that feel reassuringly familiar yet aspirational.

A unisex approach to design and sizing allows clothes to be fluid and open to interpretation. This is slow, seasonless fashion — cherished pieces carried through in different fabrications, built on time-honoured craftsmanship for longevity.

Each RWD piece is imbued with a sensitivity that evokes emotional connection: this is clothing for individuals.

My first collection of one-off and made-to-order pieces was picked up exclusively in New Zealand by Scotties, stockists of Comme des Garçons, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, The Row, Lemaire, and others. Today, RWD is found across Aotearoa (Plume, Scotties, The Shelter, 47 Frocks) and internationally (Camargue AUS, People AUS, McMullen USA).

How did your journey start?

I grew up with Scottish parents in the Manawatu countryside and began drawing at a very young age — my dad was an art teacher. My love of fashion grew from there. I studied Fashion Design at Massey University in Wellington and have been in the industry my entire adult life.

My first role was as designer at Swanndri at age 22, where I designed, developed, and delivered workwear, activewear, and casual wear to both farmers and the changing lifestyle market.

I spent my mid-twenties in London, working retail for Prada and Yohji Yamamoto, which gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, conceptual design, and strong brand identity. I then moved behind the scenes, developing tailoring for a supplier to multinationals including Topshop.

Over my career I’ve contracted across many facets of the industry — design, fitting, pattern cutting, production, merchandising, illustration, print, and textile design — spanning men’s, women’s, and children’s wear.

Can you share an interesting aspect of your work? Maybe a part of the product-making process or a unique work ritual you have?

I begin every collection by drawing and painting, not with garments in mind. It’s a reset — a time to play and trust the creative process.

I’m often influenced by artists and movements, returning to Francis Bacon, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Ben Nicholson, and Cy Twombly.

Fabrics are vital. I work with ongoing materials for consistency across ranges, so customers can buy a piece one season and later find a complementary piece in the same fabric. Each season then explores how concepts translate through materiality — metallic foil, hand-woven fabric, embellishing, and more.

What are the future plans and goals for you personally, and for your company?

Right now, my focus is on preparing my latest collection for my debut at London Fashion Week in four weeks — a real ‘pinch me’ moment.

Long term, I want to grow the brand sustainably, build meaningful partnerships with retailers, and connect more directly with those who wear my work. Dressing people for their most special moments and bringing joy through clothing — seeing how transformative, uplifting, and empowering it can be — is still really special.

Can you tell us about the upcoming Spacefor activation? What can customers expect from you, and why did you decide to do it?

We’re calling it The Painter’s Studio — a nod to my creative process and to the garment that has become synonymous with RWD, the painter’s shirt.

This activation for Kahuria: New Zealand Fashion Week ‘25 is a small showcase for those attending or nearby who may not yet be familiar with my work.

Quick Answers

An object or item I can’t live without:
My sketchbook.

My favourite place to shop (anywhere in the world):
A couple of great vintage stores in Paris I love to explore.

Offline vs Online?
Offline.