Duran Duran’s John Taylor Unveils Stylish Athleisure Line for Fans

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Duran Duran’s impact on fashion has remained just as potent as their significance in music history over the years. They played a crucial role in establishing the style of the 1980s and continue to innovate fashion trends even today, four decades after they first emerged. Recently, the band, consisting of original members Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor, collaborated with the Italian fragrance house Xerjoff to launch two perfumes named NeoRio and Black Moonlight. In the previous year, bassist and well-known fashion icon John Taylor unveiled JT x PM, a joint collection created in partnership with designer Patty Palazzo.

Since the mid-’90s, Palazzo has been a creative collaborator of Taylor, having founded Punk Masters T-shirt label in 2003. With diverse design skills, she has worked with Taylor on various digital and physical projects such as merchandise, web designs, and packaging. She also played an instrumental role in establishing the branding for Juicy Couture, co-founded by Taylor’s spouse, Gela Nash-Taylor, along with its men’s line, Dirty English. Moreover, Palazzo has contributed consistently to Duran Duran’s visual identity for over two decades.

In collaboration with JT x PM, the creative alliance between Palazzo and Taylor has grown stronger. Their debut collection hit stores in spring 2024, followed by a second release towards the end of 2024 extending into this year. The line offers comfortable, graphically-bold essentials such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers, caps, and even children’s wear – all inspired by Taylor’s young grandchildren. Taylor’s unconventional style is evident throughout: “Chic as Fuck” is written in a playful script; the phrase “Shit Show” is framed with poop emojis; and the Dada art movement meets punk aesthetics in prints influenced by Rap Tees, a book Taylor gifted to Palazzo. In Taylor’s own words, the key principle is straightforward: “I simply create what I desire and what appeals to me.

In Palazzo’s apartment, each item is carefully checked by hand before it goes on sale, ensuring that the brand often stays in pre-order status. Starting from the very first sale, a part of every transaction is given to charities helping those affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles.

Fresh additions are made frequently to the second assortment, with the upcoming launch scheduled for May 7. Palazzo shares, “Another item is a revamped JT-inspired design, which tends to be quite fashionable, so we enjoy adding a touch of whimsy to it.” He also hints at another piece inspired by an iconic figure in Duran Duran’s history, and there may be one more creation in the works.

The second collection is continually updated with new pieces, and on May 7, we will unveil the latest additions. Palazzo mentions, “One of these new items takes inspiration from a popular JT-style design, adding a playful twist.” He also teases another piece based on an influential figure in Duran Duran’s history, and there might be one more creation still being developed.

When he connects to Zoom from the western part of England for a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter regarding JT x PM, Taylor is undeniably dressed in her “So Chic It’s Rude” pullover – and she wears it effortlessly.

Duran Duran and fashion have always gone hand-in-hand, haven’t they?

As a fashion-forward gamer, I’m the one who constantly switches outfits. I’m the ultimate fashion enthusiast, always ready for a change. Whether it’s Pilates, cycling, or bass practice, I’ve got an outfit for every activity. It might seem excessive, but for me, clothing is more than just apparel; it’s a part of my gaming experience. Each outfit helps me get into the zone and perform at my best. So yeah, you could say I have a bit of a collection going on.

JT x PM leans into comfort clothes. Is that a reflection of how people dress today?

Apart from you, it’s evident we both share a flair for style. My stint in Los Angeles and being surrounded by Juicy’s unique aesthetic certainly influenced my personal fashion sense. Whenever I returned to the band, I would notice the contrast in our styles, thinking, “Oh dear, I’m starting to adopt the L.A. look.” I was possibly the first band member to sport a hoodie. I’ve always been drawn to high/low fashion, enjoying the blend of different styles. Due to my footwear issues, casual sports attire suits me best. It’s a versatile palette that offers plenty of creative possibilities.

Your enthusiasm for the Dada movement found its way into this collection.

We’ve certainly taken inspiration from Dadaism, but I prefer not to stick too closely to the definition. I’m ruled by my passions. When it comes to art, music, or culture, I’m always exploring new ideas. I’m the friend who can’t stop talking about something interesting, and when you return the conversation, they might say, “Oh yeah, I’ve already moved on to something else.

There’s a classic picture of you and Robert Palmer in the collection. What’s the story there?

Patty prefers each gathering to include a moment featuring JT, reminiscent of my 20s when I was charmingly tipsy. I was quite fond of [Palmer’s]. A friend of ours arranged for him to watch us perform at the Peppermint Lounge in New York. There was an immediate connection between us, and we ended up becoming very close friends. He was lively and exceptionally gifted. Whenever I talk about Robert, I feel a bit arrogant, but he had exceptional taste when it came to the people he collaborated with. However, if you examine Robert’s background, it’s an impressive career trajectory. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have spent time with him and experienced what I did with him.

The quality is exceptional.

Patty procures the items and I test drive them. We’re constantly on the hunt for unique styles and deciding where we want to head next. It’s an exciting journey, although it could become less enjoyable with tariffs on Asian imports, but let’s focus on the present for now. At the moment, we’re exploring our limits. We’re continually expanding our selection. Patty comes from a fan’s point of view – she represents that generation and is all about value. She’s not about overpricing. She’s about finding the lowest price possible. We strive to keep it affordable for everyone.

What’s next for JT x PM?

Our goal is to achieve a fully coordinated style. Previously, we’ve been experimenting with two-piece suits combined with sweatshirts and pants. This has been quite revolutionary as we’ve been focusing on tops for quite some time. The result is a comfortable, versatile suit that works well in both urban and rural settings. It doesn’t require socks, but I personally appreciate them. Fingers crossed our venture continues to thrive so we can keep pushing this innovative style forward.

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2025-05-07 18:57