PHIPPS

While some designers identify their aesthetic and build their DNA over time, Spencer Phipps followed an alternative route. The American designer, born and raised in San Francisco, has always known that he wanted to focus on an ethical and eco-friendly fashion. A student at New York's Parsons School of Design, he already made his mark in 2008 presenting his final-year collection focused on sustainable fashion. This initiative earned him a nomination as a finalist for his class' "Designer of the Year" award.
Spencer Phipps launched his career in men's fashion design at Marc Jacobs before flying to Antwerp to join Dries Van Noten, where he became Head Designer for Menswear as well as the first American to join the Belgian label. 
In 2017, he launched his brand, Phipps, out of Paris where he is now based. Influenced by his personal relationship with fashion, as well as a hoodie from his teenage years and a pair of Doc Martens (so worn out after seven years of loyal service that they literally fell apart during a fashion show), Spencer Phipps is committed to providing his clientele with pieces that can be worn, year after year. Following a sustainable direction, his creations are, above all, rooted in reality. Providing a simple aesthetic, the designer aims to offer practical pieces with an Americana twist; a style that notably earned him recognition from his peers and a place on the list of finalists for the 2019 LVMH Prize.
The majority of Phipps pieces are produced in Portugal, a country renowned for its sustainable production techniques. The company chooses its partners carefully and asks them to switch to alternative energies, recycle their rubbish and waste water, and most importantly, provide their employees with a safe and fair working environment.