Patrick Cox

Patrick Cox (born March 19, 1963 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a celebrated Canadian–British fashion designer, best known for his eponymous label specializing in shoes, leather goods, and accessories +8Financial Times+8BrainyQuote+8. Raised in a global environment—including early years in Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon—he studied at Cordwainer’s Technical College in London (now part of London College of Fashion), launching his first collection in the mid‑1980s after success designing for icons like Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano Financial Times+5+5Quotes and statuses+5.

Cox rose to mainstream fame in the 1990s with his “Wannabe” loafers, a chunky platform design that became a cultural phenomenon across the UK, Japan, and beyond—favored by rock stars and fashion-forward crowds alike +3+3Financial Times+3. He received multiple awards including British Accessories Designer of the Year and expanded into high-profile collaborations and retail. After selling his brand in the early 2000s and facing business setbacks, he reinvented his career by embracing psychedelic-inspired and spiritual design, launching his new label Doors of Perception, rooted in mindful creativity and personal expression The Times+1Financial Times+1.

Cox is known for his witty and candid reflections on design, creativity, and identity. Among his notable quotes:

“It is all about quality of life and being proud of what I do. I need me to be me.” BrainyQuote+15BrainyQuote+15BrainyQuote+15
“Shoe design is like architecture – with the finest structure and tight, precise seams, it suits my obsessive neatness.” +3BrainyQuote+3+3
“Archives can be inspiring but overwhelming. You have to forget them – especially when the whole world has been knocking them off. Everyone shops the same flea markets.” Quotes and statuses+3BrainyQuote+3BrainyQuote+3

These reflections highlight Cox’s deep connection to craftsmanship, structural rigor, and the personal freedom to define one’s vision—core elements of his enduring design philosophy.