Patrick Robinson, Founder and Chief Designer of chic travel fashion brand PASKHO, enjoys some downtime and tells us what motivates him to excel in his field.

I think Bordighera is a good place to live and so does my friend and neighbour Frank who chose to live here after being a long-time global nomad. We engage in healthy and friendly debates, appreciate other cultures in eating cuisines from different places and try to broaden our horizons, become more open minded and to have a firmer understanding of how the world operates.

The most memorable experiences are often the most unexpected. Last time I visited Frank he surprised me with a special guest, his son Patrick, who founded PASKHO. He is a driven, independent and sincere designer, just the right man to take care of the getting dressed part if you want to look as good as you feel whilst traveling, and for all the various activities you will be undertaking during your trip.

So, both heart (wine helps) and passion (PASKHO in Ancient Greek means Passion, to experience a strong or powerful sensation or feeling) were the ingredients of our get-together, how lucky was I? I asked Patrick about the strength of character needed to succeed in business and indeed, life itself. While enjoying a good glass of Franciacorta Rosé sparkling wine (you can’t go wrong with a few bubbles) we talked, and he allowed me to ask five questions!

Patrick Robinson on the Karakoram Highway

Can you give us some background on Patrick Robinson, the man?

Who is Patrick Robinson? Well, I’m a designer, entrepreneur, world traveler, micro-adventurer, bee and chicken keeper, gardener, inspired cook and explorer of the creative process.

My business life spans more than a quarter of a century working in the capacity of Chief Creative Officer, where I successfully managed to transform multiple iconic brands into profitable global companies in America, Europe, and Asia, including Giorgio Armani, Paco Rabanne, and many others.

What is the concept behind your brand PASKHO?

I have always been obsessed with ways to minimize waste, and since I was creating PASKHO from the ground up, I took the opportunity to research ways that I might be able to use recycled materials without affecting the quality of design that I was searching for. One thing that I discovered was that I could reclaim new, leftover bolts of material that would otherwise be thrown away. This means that when I find a beautiful fabric to reclaim, I think about what I could design with it, how its specific qualities can best be utilized. This makes for incredibly unique and beautiful designs, but also means that at times I can only create seven or eight pants from a reclaimed fabric because of its limited quantity, making many of my pants quite unique. I am fascinated by reclaimed next generation fabrics that were developed for skiers, trekkers and triathletes, so they are strong and light, resistant to sweat and bacteria, flexible, multi-functional and comfortable for the long haul. I hope to inspire others to re-purpose what has already been made, rather than keep adding to the piles of waste that already overflow our landfills. This brings me back to the best in myself.

What drives you to create adventure fashion?

I sincerely hope PASKHO clothing can be an inspiring part of your next life adventure. To quote André Gide – ‘You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore’.

Who or what inspires and influences your designs?

Several years ago I found myself walking through the streets of the New York, trapped by my own thoughts. Who I wanted to be and who I had become didn’t match up and I couldn’t find a way forward. My daily routine had muted my passion and I no longer felt inspired by what was around me.

Walking just ahead of me was the artist I had wanted to be ever since I was a young designer drawing and sewing my own clothes, using friends as models. I could go no further without changing direction.

I threw on a backpack and hiked through Yosemite National Park. I needed a connection to the land. That sensation of walking through fields of wet moss, feeling the essence of rocks and trees, and sleeping on the earth. Embracing both the beauty and challenges of nature, its generous freedom and ever-present change. Immersed in this Ansel Adams wilderness, I began to develop a clear mindset and consider new possibilities.

I came home to New York more lifted than ever, with bags of inspiration and a new passion. I would create a wholly different type of clothing: one that inspires us to spend more time traveling and celebrating our experiences in magical places—the mountain tops of Nepal, the crowded streets of Manhattan,  a deserted island in the Seychelles, Paris, Los Angeles, Corsica, Rio De Janeiro, Tokyo, wherever your passion takes you and inspires new discoveries.

Patrick Robinson camping

What plans do you have for PASKHO in the immediate future?

I am interested in the idea of Travel + Technology. Why is it that skiers, trekkers, and triathletes always get the best of what’s new in clothing? Their apparel is strong and light, water resistant, near indestructible, resistant to sweat and bacteria, flexible, multi-functional, comfortable for a long haul. I take all the technology from fitness, backpacking and adventure clothing and use that to create premium travel clothing that allows us to explore wherever our passion leads us – urban, country, beach, mountain, and then back to the office, plane, home, street, studio.

The aperitivo prepared the way for a fantastic dinner, complimented with great wines and spirits! Thank you Frank, thank you Patrick – Salute, Cin Cin, Cheers!

 

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All images courtesy Patrick Robinson/PASKHO

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