Richard Malone: Art, Identity & Defying the Fashion System

EP 112 – Richard Malone: On Art, Identity & Saying No to the System
“Creativity belongs to those who think beyond the obvious.”

In this deeply personal conversation, artist and designer Richard Malone reflects on queerness, class, identity, and building a creative life on his own terms.

From rural Ireland to the Royal Academy and The Met, Malone shares how he navigated privilege, resisted conformity, and carved his own space in art, fashion, and sculpture. A fearless voice in contemporary culture, he challenges the commercialization of creativity and invites us to rethink what it means to belong.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & guest welcome
00:14 – Richard on being an artist first, then designer
01:00 – Art vs. design process
03:00 – Creative process & rejection of references
06:30 – Class dynamics & privilege in the design world
09:00 – “Fashion never knew what to do with me”
12:00 – Embracing a unique voice despite pressure
15:30 – Social & class diversity in fashion
17:00 – Memories of rural Ireland
21:30 – Storytelling, gender, and creative lineage
26:00 – The role of trust in Richard’s work
30:00 – Major moments: MoMA, Met, Royal Academy
36:00 – Institutional support & mentorship
40:00 – His grandmother’s influence & the Eileen Gray project
47:00 – Saying no, finding clarity, and future vision
50:00 – The value of time, space & creative freedom
52:00 – Book, film & guest recommendations

Don’t just consume—engage.
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