When Patrick Church burst onto the scene, his unique art—a mix between Warhol and Basquiat, a retro yet modern take—caught the eyes of tastemakers. Clothing began popping up everywhere: hand painted leather jackets draped over celebrity shoulders on red carpets, models in sheer cut transparent body suits on Instagram and cameos on popular TV shows like SNL, where Megan Thee Stallion wore a custom mesh ensemble created by the designer. Wearing his clothing is a statement. While traveling, walking down the street in New York City or breakfasting in Los Angeles, onlookers often stop and ask me where they can get what I’m wearing, if they don’t already know Church by name.
In the past year, the Patrick Church brand has expanded into homeware and now spirits, with bottles of sparkling wine adorned with his signature art available for purchase online. In our latest conversation, he tells us what he has planned next, what it was like collaborating with one of his muses, Amanda Lepore, and what he makes of the growing acceptance of queer culture, at least in fashion.
I’ve watched your brand grow in recent years, from clothing to homeware and now spirits. I should have guessed when you released your “Champagne” hats and shirts that wine was on the way. What interested you in creating a bottle of sparkling wine next?
PATRICK CHURCH: My husband acts as the CEO of the brand, I trust his vision alongside mine and this was a lightbulb idea that he had. It’s been exciting watching his project come to life, it took over a year to make it properly happen but I think it is a great progression for the brand. We love seeing everyone wearing the clothing at events and parties and wanted to extend this to a great quality beverage that matches the clothing!
Of all the pieces you’ve made, is there one you would call definitive Patrick Church? When I think of you, I still go back to those original hand painted leather jackets that first caught my eye.
PC: To be honest, I would agree and say either the hand painted jackets, or my original paintings, as everything has stemmed from these two avenues. The artwork serves as prints for the clothing and the hand painted jackets are something that I have always continued to produce, even when my work has taken new pathways.
Plenty of notable names have worn your clothes: Megan Thee Stallion, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani and Bretman Rock, among others. Do you feel that your acceptance within popular culture equates to a greater acceptance of queer culture?
PC: I often feel pigeonholed as a creative so it is interesting to see your viewpoint. I think queer representation in popular culture is so important. I have seen so much progress, especially compared to when I was younger. I don’t want to water down my creations or compromise my artistic vision, I just create what I want to create.
I own quite a few of your pieces, but the Amanda Lepore collaboration has a special place in my heart and closet. What was it like working with the nightlife legend on a limited series of clothing and how were you able to capture her essence within your own design?
PC: It was honestly a dream come true, the collaboration with Amanda was definitely a major career highlight and a “pinch me” moment. I pictured the finished product in my head before it was even finished. On the shoot day it was beautiful watching the project come to life. Amanda is an angel and it meant so much to me. She has inspired me for so long that I felt I was able to capture her essence easily when putting the collaboration together.
When it comes to your muses, whether in your art or fashion design, who do you draw from?
PC: I always draw from people with confidence, people who are always authenticity themselves. In the fashion avenue of my work, I don’t know if I necessarily have a specific muse, but I love glamour and anything over the top or larger than life. I have a few really special pieces of clothing I love, my husband bought me a huge green Gucci bag in Florence when we visited a few years ago and it’s one of my favorites. Also, a battered old studded Hermes Kelly bag. It’s really heavy but I love it.
When it comes to my artwork, I usually lead with my emotions or personal experiences and try to put these into what I am creating, I use my artwork as a visual diary, a documentation of my life.
Is there someone you have in mind for your next collaboration?
PC: There is indeed! Watch this space!
Social media has been a major platform that’s propelled your success. As an artist, how do you find a happy medium in the drumbeat of having to feed your audience content but also your creativity?
PC: I try to schedule out time for my creative process and to be able to work on my artwork and making items. Then I also schedule time to focus on social media as I do enjoy each aspect. If I don’t make it all work, feel as though part of me is missing. But I also love doing photo shoots and putting visual stories together for the brand—that’s where I get to express my creativity.
What’s an area you’ve yet to explore, but would like to venture into? What are you planning next?
PC: I would love to launch a fragrance. It is something I have been thinking about for a while, but it has to be the right time.
