LONDON, UK // In 1982 Robin had just begun a three-year degree course at St Martins College of Art when he met Terry Jones, Editor-in-chief of the fledgling style magazine, i-D. For the next four years he worked with Terry on i-D (and ad campaigns for the Fiorucci clothing label), experimenting with early computer graphics and playing with ideas of what a magazine could look like.
In 1984, on the strength of his degree show at St Martins, Robin was offered his first full-time job – as Designer at The Face magazine working alongside acclaimed typographer and art director Neville Brody. The Face was the most important magazine of the decade, breaking boundaries in typography and photography – it was the ultimate style magazine and fashion bible to a generation.
As Art Director of The Face, from 1986-87, Robin forged links with Nick Knight, Mario Testino and Juergen Teller, photographers who today have become leaders in their field.
In 1986 Robin became Contributing Editor on the launch of a brand new type of men’s magazine – Arena.
In 1987, Carla Sozzani approached Robin to join the launch of Italian Elle as Art Director. It was to be a bold venture – a magazine unlike the bland, mainstream women’s titles of the time. To which Robin brought his group of cutting-edge photographers from London and also worked with established international photographic talent of the time such as Steven Meisel, Paolo Roversi, Sarah Moon, Bruce Webber and Peter Lindberg.
The following year, along with two partners Robin set up Studio Box, a fashion-oriented design and art direction studio with offices in Paris and Milan. Studio Box clients included Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, MaxMara, Ferre, Anna Molinari, Krizia, Ferretti, Armand Basi and Romeo Gigli among others.
In conjunction with his work at Studio Box, Robin also found time to serve as Guest Art Director of Per Lui magazine in Milan (1988) and Guest Art Director of news magazine Actuel in Paris (1988), Art Director of Glamour for Conde Nast France (1989-91) Launch Art Director of Woman magazine for Groupo Zeta in Barcelona (1992)and Art Director of Arena in the UK (1991-93).
After five years based in Paris, Robin returned to London in 1993 to take up the position of Art Director at British Vogue. Under Robin’s art directorship, Vogue has achieved it’s highest ever sales figures, and it continues to attract work from international photographers and artists of the very highest calibre.
He acted as Creative Director with responsibility for the launch of Russian Vogue in 1998
British Vogue’s January 2000's Millennium mirror covered issue was the highest selling issue in the magazine's history, and December 2000’s acclaimed gold issue won Campaign magazine's Cover of the Year
He was appointed Creative Director of British Vogue in 2001
Robin has twice been voted the PPA Magazine designer of the year, and has twice won the Jasmin Beauty Industry Award for beauty imagery.
Robin has continued to bring new recruits to the title – in photography, Craig Mcdean, Lachlan Bailey, Mert and Marcus, Emma Summerton, and Terry Richardson to name but a few and other collaborations with artists Marc Quin, Tracy Emin and Sam Taylor Wood push the boundaries of the magazine without losing touch of Vogue’s core values.
In 2005 Robin Derrick was approached by Giorgio Armani and has been a contributing creative director to the brand since then..
Working on Primarily the Giorgio and Emporio brands with Craig Mcdean and Mert and Marcus, He has also produces watches and jewellery campaigns.. and produced visuals for fragrance and Beauty