Meet Paul Ropp. The visionary, man of the Renaissance and the revolutionary designer.
It was an amazing time. The flavor of these times will never be repeated, but its influence is all around us. The seeds of this movement are still blooming today. People gathered in an inexplicable manner. It was a real movement, a community of ideas and ideals. Max Kansas City to New York was a place everyone gathered from Warhol to Jagger, Bowie, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and a few people who are here in Bali today. Today, people can not imagine. It was a meeting place for us outside the system; a meeting of minds and philosophies. We took the time to be in the present. We gathered in Central Park on sunny day, play music and embrace all the opportunities that await us which color was plentiful. This taste of "what was" and will never be repeated a few of us seriously committed to a very different lifestyle. As Timothy Leary advised, `Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out." After going to Woodstock, I showered Central Park with American flag rolling papers. It was an act of art performance that took me by the events in Central Park lawn of the White House during a mass demonstration with my friend Abbie Hoffman. I flooded the Isle of Wight Festival, where Hendrix was playing. American Flag documents were dropped on Tuscany, in Italy and throughout Europe. The success of these efforts eventually led me to India.
How this ideology affects your design work? If fashion is the policy, what is your message?
I'm not fashionable and I do not do politics. I believe in real change and I support things that work. I intergalactic perspective so it would be pretty narrow minded to only focus on what is happening here; on this planet Earth. I enjoy what I enjoy and what I am. Changing the world is not my role in life. I live and enjoy the present. If we think, speak and act correctly and positively, that will change the world.
You were among the first Westerners to export garments from India. How did it happen?
I made very sophisticated, unique t-shirts. The shirt is the classic clothing the most basic. I give silkscreened 23 different spiritual reasons, using Buddhas Garudas, and dancing skeletons on each shirt, which are now in museums. Western skulls and tattoos combined with Chinese Tibetan motifs. This skilled labor could be found in the East. They were evolving. I sold all the shops, which at that time were more clubs than shops. The shop of Morse Tiger, which I consider a mentor, is now in a museum in Chicago as an artist environment. I worked with Paul McGregor and Peter Max. I did the paintings of eight feet called "The Comic of Fashion" supported by Leo Castelli, the innovative art dealer. So I took the cheaper fabric most commonly used in India; 100% hand spun and hand-loomed cotton and began to smooth clothes. I was in all major publications and I dressed all high-end models such as Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Pat Cleveland, Janice Dickeenson and of course the fabulous Jane Hitchcock, who appeared on the first page of the women's wear daily [USA’s fashion bible] on my first collection Bali.
Despite being a vagabond and couture dressing rock stars and icons of art, you live and works in New Delhi. What led you to Bali?
I came to deliver and John's first daughter Marie De Coney, Wayan in Goa, India. I came to help the second daughter, Made From Coney. I divide my time between India and Bali.
What elements are the only current Paul Ropp collections?
Our fabrics, which are, cottons and silks of India handwoven handspun. These fabrics will last forever. I think clothing should be sensual not sexual. In fact, I do not believe in fashion, I believe in "oooh and aaah '. All our tissue is recycled to the product. There is no waste. We make clothing for men, women and children. We make accessories such as shoes, bags and waders, adorned with intricate artwork tissues. I created a home line and I recycle fabrics art in my tapestries. Paul Ropp The label includes a collection of Islamic and Oriental styles exotic African made in rich tones. I just created a line of winter wear, heavy fabrics handwoven for jackets and pants.
Who is your customer? What is your biggest customer base?
I design clothes for people who prefer to be naked! I make clothes that are affordable luxury for well-educated and people who know well traveled quality. Forty percent of my clients are men. Our biggest market is here in Indonesia. In Bali, we will soon have eleven stores. Thailand has six stores Paul Ropp and two other stores are being opened. We are duty-free shops in Jakarta. Our market is also strong in Japan, Brazil, Peru and the Americas. The brand is global and in more than 35 countries.
is per capita raises the culturally creative on earth.
How do you see Bali in a decade?
Bali missed his chance. He should be a living museum.
Bright Ideas for the future?
The Paul Ropp Art Hotel! When you enter the lobby, colors, textures and details make you smile. Everything is for sale, you simply connect to your computer and it is yours. Everything will be unique and inspiring. Each room will be different and there will be a continuous flow of the transitional creativity and comfort throughout the surroundings. High technology meets beauty. smart cars handpainted available for driving. It will be a place where people can realize their potential.
It seems incredible. I turn on all the look! words of wisdom to share with us?
funny things happen when you dance in you and you are open.