The increasingly grim prognosis given to guitar music has meant musicians have had to broaden their creative horizons. Elbow have their own brand of ale, Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins, incredibly, moonlights as the head of a wrestling company and now Pete Doherty has become the latest rocker to release his own clothing line.
And despite his tabloid-stoked reputation, you can banish all thoughts of blood-spattered shirts, moth-eaten fedoras and crumpled court appearance suits from your mind. The former Libertines frontman has cannily teamed up with preposterously cool French label The Kooples to turn in a range that is as accomplished as it is sharply tailored.
Available from 13 March and partly inspired by another side project — namely Doherty’s debut acting role as a 19th-century fop in upcoming indie flick The Confession Of A Child Of The Century — the collection echoes his artfully dishevelled stage look.
The range, with prices starting at £90, features crisp three-piece suits and authentically vintage grandad shirts accented by louche accessories including pocket squares, braces and, of course, hats. But as well as the expected dandy flourishes there are touches of mod culture and casual sportswear. These include T-shirts adorned with his artwork, a hooded jacket based on a military parka Doherty acquired in Berlin, and a fittingly Gallic zip-up cycling top.
What’s more, heritage headwear brand Lock & Co will produce the wide-brimmed panama and felt hat to cap a range that’s clearly been a true labour of love. “I have become picky about everything,” admits Doherty. “[I’ve even made] sure the buttons would last for 50 years like on an old, quality suit you’d pick up at a flea market.” Pete Doherty sweating over miniscule details like a fastidious workaholic? The fashion world seems to suit him.
