Richard Nicoll, the London Fashion Week designer, has died at the age of 38. The news broke on Friday morning that Nicoll, who grew up in Australia, had passed away suddenly in Sydney. According to local news outlets, it is believed an ambulance was called to his apartment, and he was taken to St Vincent’s hospital. Some reports suggest a suspected heart attack.
Nicoll was based in London for much of his career and was a much-liked member of the capital’s fashion community. His eponymous label showed men’s and womenswear at London Fashion Week for nearly 10 years from 2006. His womenswear became known for a clean modern take on femininity, with celebrities including Emma Stone, Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller wearing his clothes. Nicoll put the label on hold in 2014 but continued to design, working with high street brand Jack Wills until earlier this year, and collaborating with various Australian brands. He was due to take up a role at Adidas as creative director in January 2017.
The fashion industry has been quick to respond to the news. Emily Sheffield, deputy editor of British Vogue, tweeted that she was “shocked and saddened by the news of Richard Nicoll’s death; literally one of the nicest men in fashion”. Avril Mair, the fashion director of Harper’s Bazaar, tweeted: “Remembering Richard Nicoll, a lovely and talented man.” Caroline Rush, the chief executive of the British Fashion Council, told Women’s Wear Daily: “He had many friends here and in the British fashion community and he will be truly missed.”
Nicoll was part of a generation of designers, along with Jonathan Saunders and Christopher Kane, who combined creativity and commercialism to put London Fashion Week back on the radar of the international fashion industry. Studying under esteemed professor Louise Wilson on the Central Saint Martins MA, his entire graduate collection was bought by Dolce & Gabbana in 2002. He won several awards over his career, including the prestigious Andam Prize in 2008. He also worked on several ranges for high street brands, including Fred Perry and Topshop, and was creative director at Italian brand Cerruti from 2009 to 2011.
