Hasta La Creative!

There’s a natural link between the worlds of fashion and music, but perhaps no designer is as rock-and-roll as John Varvatos. He’s had his own SiriusXM radio show. His flagship store in New York stands on musical holy ground, occupying the space that for decades was home to the legendary club CBGB. And his ad campaigns for years have eschewed the beautiful, romantic imagery you’d normally see in the pages of a fashion magazine — instead featuring rockers like Iggy Pop, Velvet Revolver and Alice Cooper.

If you ask Mr. Varvatos what his personal influences are, he won’t name-drop fellow famous designers. He’ll say Jimmy Hendrix and Nirvana, Led Zepplin or maybe even Dave Brubeck. Given music has been his biggest source of inspiration in building his eponymous — and world famous — retail brand, we chatted with Mr. Varvatos about the spark that started it all.

Ad Age: You come from a Greek background and grew up in Detroit — known for Motown more than rock. So what sparked your obsession with rock at a young age?

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