Q&A with Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey of RIXO
S/S 25
We sit down with Rixo's eminently talented founders, Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McClusky, and chat fashion, friendship, shopkeeping and the pleasure of a happy collaboration.
S/S 25
We sit down with Rixo's eminently talented founders, Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McClusky, and chat fashion, friendship, shopkeeping and the pleasure of a happy collaboration.
We’re very excited to be working together on this. Can you tell us your hopes for the Rixo Project at The Hambledon?
We’re just as excited! The Hambledon is such an iconic destination, and it’s amazing to be partnering with a store that shares our love for beautifully curated fashion. We hope that this collaboration brings the Rixo experience to even more people and allows customers to see how our pieces fit seamlessly into their wardrobes. It’s all about making our vintage-inspired designs feel wearable and special, and we know The Hambledon is the perfect place to showcase that.
Tell us a bit about your backgrounds? What did you do before Rixo?
Henrietta and I met at university while studying Fashion Management at London College of Fashion. We instantly bonded over our shared love of vintage and unique prints. Before Rixo, we both dabbled in different parts of the industry – from interning at fashion houses to working on the shop floor. But we always knew we wanted to create something of our own, and that’s where Rixo started.
Was the founding of Rixo a lightbulb moment or was it a more planned process?
A bit of both! It wasn’t like we woke up one day and said, "Let’s start a brand," but at the same time, it wasn’t meticulously planned either. We started by designing pieces we genuinely wanted to wear—things we couldn’t find elsewhere. We didn’t have a huge strategy at first; we just put our designs out there, hosted pop-ups in our student flat, and built the brand very organically. It’s been a whirlwind, but our instinctive approach has served us well.
How do you divide the work load between the two of you? And is there such a thing as a typical day?
Henrietta focuses more Finance, operations, trading, people, while I handle Design alongside Marketing & Creative. That said, we overlap a lot—it’s never a rigid divide. We’ve been working together for so long that we know each other’s strengths and balance them out naturally and are quite happy to give our opinions on both.
No two days are ever the same! One day I might be deep in design meetings and then signing off units buy in the afternoon and the next we’re hosting a customer event or working on a photoshoot. That’s what we love about running Rixo—it’s always evolving.
Rixo is known for its vintage inspired aesthetic. Where do you seek inspiration?
Everywhere! I'm always looking at vintage pieces from different eras, whether it's a 1930s bias-cut dress or a ‘70s floral print. Art and interiors are also huge sources of inspiration. We always want our collections to have a timeless feel, rather than just following trends.
We love that Rixo has a very clear sense of itself. As the brand evolves how do you stay true to your roots whilst continuing to innovate?
That’s something we’re always mindful of. Our DNA is all about effortless, vintage-inspired fashion with a modern twist, and we never want to lose that. We stay true to our hand-painted prints, flattering silhouettes, and that signature ‘throw-on-and-go’ feel. At the same time, we listen to our customers and introduce fresh ideas—whether that’s new fabrications, silhouettes, or collaborations. The key is keeping that balance between evolution and staying authentic to who we are.
We love this collection. What were the particular touch points when you were designing? And do you have favourite pieces?
This collection is all about craft, there is so many gorgeous techniques used and vintage laces for occasion and everyday dresses. We wanted to bring in mood-boosting colours and beautiful hand-painted florals that feel really joyful. Some key touchpoints were ‘60s and ‘70s silhouettes, romantic ruffles, and easy, breezy dresses that can be styled up or down. As for favourites, I love the Novara Dress - it's so flattering and effortless.
Our customers quite often think of Rixo as special occasion-wear. Explain how it works for other scenarios.
We totally get that people associate Rixo with weddings and parties because our dresses do make you feel amazing! But we design with versatility in mind. A midi dress can be worn with trainers and a knit for the day, or a silk blouse can be tucked into jeans for an easy yet chic work look. It’s about styling—our pieces aren’t just for big moments; they’re for everyday joy.
Of all women, throughout time, who is your iconic Rixo muse?
There are so many! We always reference vintage style icons like Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger, and Princess Diana. But honestly, our biggest inspiration is real women—our customers who wear Rixo in their own way. Seeing how they style our pieces is what excites us the most.
How do you think your friendship has informed the company’s ethos?
Rixo was built on friendship! That’s why collaboration and community are so important to us. We started this as two best friends who love fashion, and we’ve kept that energy throughout. It’s not just about the clothes—it’s about the feeling of confidence, joy, and inclusivity. Our team has grown, but we always want Rixo to feel like a brand with heart.
We’re very inquisitive about other retailers. How do you find life as shopkeepers?
It’s been such an exciting learning curve. We started online, but having our own stores has been amazing. Meeting customers in person, seeing what they gravitate towards, and getting direct feedback is invaluable. We love curating an experience—Rixo stores are designed to feel warm, welcoming, and a little like stepping into our world.
The RIXO Kings Road store
We love a Rixo buying appointment (lovely people, lovely environment and beautiful clothes). How will you be bringing the Rixo experience to The Hambledon?
That’s exactly the vibe! We want the Rixo experience at The Hambledon to feel special but also effortless. It’s all about giving customers the chance to explore our pieces in a relaxed, inspiring setting. We love working with retailers who share our passion for personal service and beautiful storytelling, so we can’t wait for this partnership to come to life!
All images c/o RIXO @rixo