I first met Patrick Taylor at his Chelsea apartment, where the space exuded a quiet warmth. Soft furniture, a peaceful garden view through the windows, and shelves lined with colorful yarn gave the room a cozy, imaginative vibe. Yet the paddleboard leaning casually against the wall, next to a rack of his latest collection hinted at something more — an unexpected blend of sport and design at the core of his work. Taylor’s easy-going nature added to the inviting atmosphere as we settled into a conversation about his design process and how he fuses knitwear and sports — a mix he approaches with both humor and purpose.
When you think of knitwear, comfort and relaxation often come to mind as opposed to the intensity and competitiveness of the sports world. However, Taylor who graduated last spring with a Master’s in fashion design from Parsons is completely reimagining that concept. His inventive and playfully bold collection opened the MFA Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear show at New York Fashion Week, where he wove the familiar comfort of knitwear with the intensity and edge of sports, redefining what it means to choose both style and comfort.
London-born, Taylor spent much of his childhood moving across continents with his two siblings, living in cities like Singapore and Dubai before eventually returning to London for high school. Despite the transient nature of his upbringing, one constant factor in his life was sports. “My dad was super super into sports,” Taylor recalled. With his family living near the coast and mountains in various settings, it naturally became an invitation for outdoor activities. “He had us participate in a lot of competitions and races growing up, especially skiing and sailing,” he added, reflecting on how these experiences influenced not only his childhood but also the themes that now inspire his designs.
Athletics quickly became a grounding force for him. “When I think about childhood, the thing that comes to mind is sports,” Taylor reflected. Sailing and skiing were especially adored, as both were family traditions. Taylor and his sister were part of the South of England sailing team, and his sister was also on the British children’s skiing team. “Some of the collection is inspired by her,” Taylor says, referencing the ski-inspired designs.
Having spent a good portion of his childhood in London by the Chichester harbor, sailing played a prominent role in Taylor’s life. His father, who also had a coastal upbringing, introduced both him and his sister to sailing from a young age. Family trips to the French mountains brought skiing into the mix, creating a lifelong love for both sports. This experience directly influenced his collection, where Taylor drew from sailwear materials such as neoprene — a blend of foam and knit, commonly used in wetsuits for its flexibility and durability to keep sailors warm in cold waters. Using this fabric allowed Taylor to create larger, and more sculptural silhouettes.
“I still love skiing and sailing now, and I still do it,” Taylor said, his interest in these activities have shaped not only his life but also his design philosophy. “I like the idea that you could do the sports as a family. Some of the looks are even inspired by my grandad, my sister, or my brother,” he added. This sense of family and community became central to his collection.
After returning to London for high school, Taylor’s interest in fashion began to take shape. Initially drawn to a textiles class, he became fascinated with fabrics and their creative possibilities. However, when the school canceled the program, he shifted to art, where he experimented by cutting up fabrics and incorporating them into his paintings and illustrations, creating multimedia projects that would later contribute to his creative process. His love for textiles persisted, particularly inspired by the materials used in sailwear. Before pursuing his Master’s, Taylor completed his undergraduate studies in fashion design at Parsons, where he laid the foundation for what would become his signature body of work.
“I was actually kind of late to knitting, compared to some people in my year,” Taylor recalled, explaining how he first discovered knitwear during his third year of undergraduate studies. After experimenting with knitting machines in class, he created a few jumpers. From that point on, knitwear became a staple of his design work and the foundation of his latest collection. “I think I prefer knitwear because I like the idea of making your own fabric. There are so many possibilities, and that was the biggest attraction for me.” he said, reflecting how the flexibility of the medium became a driving force in his creativity.
When Covid-19 disrupted Taylor’s final year in the Bachelor’s Degree program, he had to create his thesis collection at home. Being reunited with his siblings, especially his younger brother, influenced much of his work and led him to draw inspiration from his childhood. “I’ve got a baby brother, who was the inspiration for a lot of it.” Taylor explained, referring to how his brother’s youthful energy inspired the playful and childlike elements of his designs. “The clothing featured playful proportions, like shrunken or oversized fits. That was my first real step into knitwear,” Taylor added, where he first experimented with the duality of knitwear—balancing its cozy, traditional qualities in an unconventional sense.
After finding his footing during undergrad, Taylor reflected, “I think my BFA collection was definitely the start of me finding what I was interested in, and my own personal style and kind of vision.” This laid the groundwork for the next collection, and with a clearer sense of direction, he returned to New York City and applied to the MFA program to refine his craft. Once admitted, he began preparing for the program’s annual fall show, where graduates present their Spring/Summer collections after graduation in September. By October of his second year, the planning process was well underway, and by January, he was fully immersed in the making phase to prepare for the September debut. Determined to draw inspiration from his childhood memories rather than focusing solely on his English upbringing, the final touch his collection needed was his lifelong passion for sports. “I wanted to represent my childhood in a way that didn’t feel stereotypically English. I wanted it to feel more personal,” Taylor explained.
His collection titled No Easy Way Down, is grounded in knitwear and explores “the duality of childhood, the intensity and resilience found in family sports,” as noted in his artist’s statement. Focusing on skiing and sailing, the collection highlights how “the competitive and intense nature of the sports” contrasts with fun and freedom. Inspired by memories of “vivid red sails against the muted grey-blue sea,” it offers a nostalgic nod to his childhood, incorporating sailwear materials of soft textures, playful proportions, and hues reminiscent of old family photographs. For Taylor, knitwear isn’t just about comfort—it’s a medium that captures the adventure and joy of growing up with his family.
When the day of the show arrived, upbeat instrumentals streamed in as pre-show excitement radiated from the audience sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation. The opening look — Taylor’s first design — did not disappoint, immediately setting the tone for the entire collection. “A nice starting point in my mind,” Taylor recalled. Bursting with vivid color hues of blues and bright yellow, the look radiated youthful energy and athleticism, perfectly capturing the essence of Taylor’s childhood. Bold yet playful, it paved the way for the rest of the designs.
One look in particular, featured a man casually carrying a mug in a full body green sail suit, as if it were part of his everyday routine. Another look introduced oversized pants paired with a flowy top and ski goggles, blending comfort and a sense of adventure.
Accessories played a key role, each piece nodding to the equipment used in sports — reimagined, of course, in knitwear. Playful elements like a cup, a life sail for sailing, and even a paddle were crafted to tie the collection back to his love for sailing and skiing. Taylor, who originally sourced much of his yarn from Italy, later pivoted to using locally sourced materials, embracing sustainability as a growing focus.
What makes this collection stand out is its playful energy, offering a refreshing contrast to the more serious tones seen on the runway by other designers. “I wanted there to be some tension, but in a playful way.” Taylor explained, the unexpected pairings felt refreshingly unconventional, bringing a lighthearted and amusing spirit.
Closing the show was Taylor’s personal favorite: a sweater featuring toy soldiers with red uniforms contrasted with lighter blue tones, paired with a bold red beanie. The look was inspired by his father, who served in the Irish Guards—a regiment known for their iconic red uniforms and moleskin hats.
As Taylor looks ahead to future collections and the growth of his upcoming brand, his deep connection to family remains a driving force. He’s even considering launching a family-focused line, where knitwear and athleisure isn’t just about personal style, but about sharing it with loved ones. On the design of his logo, a heart with a hanging cross chain, he explained, “The beads represent all the people, and the heart symbolizes the home.”
For Taylor, the blend of comfort and sport goes beyond fashion — it becomes a way to bring people together. As said in his artist’s statement, he envisions, “Clothing that empowers everyone to embrace life’s adventures with a sense of joy and excitement.”