Eccentric style and boundary breaking is just a few ways to describe Maximillian Raynor, throughout this interview Raynor unwraps his journey within the fashion world and self expression. 

Originally from Derbyshire, Raynor grew up on a farm spending his childhood drawing and reading endless issues of Vogue. Now Raynor is an up-and-coming designer hoping to take the fashion world by storm and following in Vivienne Westwood's footsteps by merging fashion and activism. Within this interview Raynor discusses his time at Central Saint Martins, his collaborations, his short film ‘Manor for Heaven' and his ambitions for the future. 

What's your go-to outfit that makes you feel most confident?

“I always start with shoes. I can't feel like myself without a good pair of shoes.” Raynor mentions a flat slip on a version of Doc Martin shoes from his collaboration with Doc Martin during his time at Central Saint Martins. “And normally a vintage leather jacket or 70s retro suit”, Raynor also adds that he often wears his own designs, as it's important for him to create pieces that are not just for the runaway.

Where it all began..

Raynor had always envisioned living and studying fashion in London, his first attempt at applying to Central Saint Martins didn’t pan out. Raynor then decided to enrol in a foundation year at Ravensbourne in North Greenwich. But after putting in the work, his second application to CSM was met with another rejection. Undeterred, Raynor moved on to Kingston University, where he studied for a year. It didn’t take long for him to realise that something was missing—it just wasn’t the right fit. Knowing where he really wanted to be, he decided to apply to Central Saint Martins one last time. This time, it worked. After a challenging journey, he finally secured his place at the school he had always dreamed of, showing that persistence can make all the difference.

Raynor expresses his gratitude to the opportunities that Central Saint Martins can provide, he tells us about his placement year with Jonathan Anderson at JW Anderson and his collaboration with Doc Martin on the iconic 1460 boot. Raynor felt as if the Doc Martin Collaboration was a perfect fit for himself and felt real passion for the project due to his rebellious style being forbidden as a schoolboy, Raynor has always seen fashion as a form of self expression and being able to create his very own 1460 boot felt like a dream come true.

Raynor expresses gratitude to Stephen Phillip - vintage fashion collector- who has one of the biggest collections of vintage Westwood, and Alexander McQueen and John Galliano.

Raynor reveals that he learnt most of what he knows about fashion thanks to Stephen Philip and is grateful to have been shown support in his start up in the industry.

“The fashion industry needs more people that support creative young minds such as Stephen Phillip”

Raynor has always seen fashion as a form of self expression and has recently created a short film ‘Manor for heaven’ which showcases his designs through the characters within the film. Raynor describes his short film ‘Manor for Heaven’ - which can be viewed over on his Instagram - as an ‘Anti patriarchal protest set in purgatory which explores otherness through the characters’. The film is captured by Torriano Entertainment Group, Raynors childhood friend, in a stunning countryside manor house in his home town Derbyshire in Meynell Langley Hall, owned by Raynors family friend.

The film starts with the emergence of each character in the film, peering through the window, slowly appearing out of a taxi to the front of the manor, all portraying an eerie vibe. The characters then go on to showcase their outfits to each other, each with their own quirky outfit designed by Raynor himself. My favourite outfit being one of ‘The heartbroken twins’ in the corset-like blouse and plaid asymmetrical ribbon skirt, which embodies punk and Vivienne Westwood - who Raynor mentions is one of his first designer loves and inspiration.

Raynor describes his ambition for his film as a ‘celebration of otherness’ in which the ‘Manor for Heaven’ is for people who don't fit into the hetronormative patriarchal systems of power that don't fit into society, queer people, women, people of colour and all ages. The designer also goes on to compare his film to a portrayal of his own diary which features his emotions, anger, privilege and romance. Raynor believes that fashion can be an art form of expressing political thoughts and feelings about the societies and world we live in, whilst also serving as a ‘direct mirror to society’.

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Raynor stresses that the influence of fashion is more important than many people realise. In the way that we all need entertainment, a distraction from reality, which fashion can provide, and that we need to fight for the arts to be sustained. Raynor also opens up about his journey up the fashion ladder so far and admits that he often feels an illusion of success and that he's only at the start of the race. He describes his journey as having “Many stages to this hike”.

Raynor is a positive voice for change, not to mention extremely talented. In the future, Raynor aims to have his own solo fashion show at London fashion week and also to continue his journey creating stories and fantasies like ‘Manor for Heaven’ that many people can hopefully relate to. Raynor also gives huge thanks to his interns and emphasises how important and crucial they were to helping his visions.

Teigan Rose.