Pip Paz Howlett is quietly reshaping the language of print design, pushing the boundaries of nostalgia and subversion. His work isn’t just about surface—his prints function as cultural artifacts, drawing from the aesthetics of the past while reconfiguring them for the present. Based in London, Pip is known for his deep research into subcultures, music history, and forgotten fashion narratives, weaving them into fabrics that feel both familiar and entirely new.
His prints often reference the high-shine synthetic world of ‘90s club culture, the raw sexuality of punk, and the hyper-masculinity of vintage sportswear, but there’s always a twist—a queering of the codes, a questioning of aesthetics we take for granted. The result is a body of work that feels archival yet futuristic, deeply personal yet universal.
Having collaborated with major fashion houses and independent designers alike, Pip’s work is a reminder that print isn’t just decoration—it’s storytelling, identity, rebellion. Whether reworking acid house rave flyers into luxe textiles or reimagining football kits through a queer lens, his approach is meticulous, playful, and deeply considered. At a time when fashion often feels disposable, Pip Paz Howlett’s prints demand to be looked at, understood, and remembered.
I love getting out of the city as much as I possibly can. I love going home to see my mum, heading to the pub, taking long walks in the countryside, and doing tours around the local charity shops—it’s a proper reset.
I feel most centred and myself when I spend a good amount of time at the beach. Anywhere, really. Being near water, swimming, hiking—being in nature—has this way of calming everything down. It’s something I’ve been craving a lot lately, and I know I’m at my best when I make space for it.
And then, for fun, it’s honestly as simple as going to a friend’s house, or having them over. Drinks, food, chatting absolute shit—it’s the best kind of night. I way prefer it to going out-out; you can actually talk, and it feels easier—How times have changed.
.webp)
I don’t really go out-out much in London—it’s more pubs and small venues for me. I love going to The Glory, The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston Superstore, or The Spurstowe. I also frequent the local pubs and breweries in Walthamstow, where I live. It’s nice to have familiar places nearby that feel like home.
When I do go out-out, it’s usually at festivals. There’s something really special about dancing outdoors, watching the sun rise, and being surrounded by nature. It gives me way more energy than being in a club. I’d love to do more abroad festivals next year—there’s just a different kind of magic to them.
For food, India holds the top spot. I spent three months there and didn’t have a single bad meal. Everything was so GOOD—vegetarian, spicy, fragrant. I need to go back. In London, Miznon does an insane cauliflower pitta that hits the spot every time.
dotCOMME in Melbourne is a big one for me—I used to work there while travelling, and it left such a lasting impression. They have this incredible archive of CDG, Watanabe, Yamamoto, Miyake, and Walter Van Beirendonck that I’d never seen pulled together in that way before. It was such an inspiring place to be, surrounded by pieces that felt like wearable history.
In London, I think Fabootique and Fantastic Toiles are some of the most exciting places to shop. They focus on emerging designers and sell super unique, one-off pieces. There’s a real energy to both spaces—nothing feels overproduced or trend-driven, and everything on the rails feels like it’s been chosen with real intention. It’s a refreshing change from the polished, pristine racks of somewhere like DSM or Browns. You get the sense you’re seeing something right at the beginning, and that’s always exciting.
I love to take advantage of the rare quiet moments in my garden—when there are no neighbours out or building works going on. I’ll go out just to check on how things are growing. It’s a small thing, but it really helps me feel calm and grounded.
I also take CBD oil every day. It helps me focus, keeps me from getting lost in my own thoughts, and makes me more productive. I used to practise yoga a lot too, which was probably the thing that helped me feel most centred, during my MA I didn’t have enough time to keep it up and I haven’t gone back since. I really want to get back into it—it was such a game-changer for how I felt in myself.
I constantly have music on. All day, every day. It’s probably the thing that keeps me most inspired, motivated and creatively engaged—just always something playing in the background.
Just Kids by Patti Smith is one of my favourite books of all time. It’s so beautifully written, and the story itself—about art, love, struggle, and making work as a creative—is incredible. I’ve seen her perform live three times, and it’s always so moving and emotional. You feel everything when you see her perform.
I’m not really a film person—I struggle to keep my attention on one thing for that long—but books and music tend to stay with me longer. My mum has had a huge influence on my life. She’s always been encouraging, open-minded, and supportive of who I am and what I want to do. That’s meant everything.
And travel—any country I’ve been lucky enough to visit, usually on a shoestring budget, has taught me something. Those trips have opened my eyes, shifted my perspective, and always left me with something valuable to carry forward in my life and practice.
The gallery district in Chelsea, New York is one of my favourite places to spend a day. There’s such a high concentration of galleries within a walkable area, and the quality and range of work on show is always inspiring. It’s a great way to see a mix of established and emerging artists without it feeling overwhelming.
The CSM library might not be a gallery in the traditional sense, but for me, it’s one of the most creatively rich spaces I’ve spent time in. It’s where I’ve done some of my best thinking, researching, and daydreaming. There’s something about being surrounded by art books and archives that always gets my ideas going.
And Palais de Tokyo in Paris is amazing. I love how it embraces the unfinished and the in-process—it’s experimental and doesn’t feel too polished, which makes the experience of being there so much more engaging and alive.
Planningtorock (Jam Rostron) is such a force. Their music, visuals and politics are completely fused—experimental and emotional, challenging and joyful all at once. I love how they explore queerness and gender expression through sound and performance, it’s really affirming and expansive.
The Knife—Karin and Olof Dreijer—have been hugely influential to me. Their work has this incredible intensity, sonically and visually, and they’ve always been ahead of the curve in how they think about performance and anonymity, about what it means to take up space as artists. Karin’s solo work as Fever Ray also hits something visceral.
And Patti Smith—a constant. I’ve mentioned Just Kids, but she just has this presence that feels steadying and electric and so human. She’s uncompromising, full of feeling, and unafraid to be sentimental or raw. I come back to her again and again.
I cannot stop listening to anything by Róisín Murphy since seeing her live at Glastonbury. She was just incredible—huge energy, huge presence, the way she moves through genres and eras so effortlessly. Whether it’s her solo work or her time in Moloko, there’s such a rich mix of drama, rhythm and invention. Her music makes you want to dance.
Mariposa by Isabella Lovestory has also been on heavy rotation. It’s chaotic and sexy and playful—completely addictive. Then there’s Photograph by Perfume Genius, which hits in a totally different way. It’s tender and textured and takes you on a different type of ride.
And One by Hercules & Love Affair—a track I come back to over and over. It still sounds like the future. I’d honestly love to curate a playlist. I’m so inspired by music.
Honestly, it would have to be Róisín Murphy. I’d love to chat with her over some drinks—maybe somewhere low-lit and a bit chaotic—and just talk about music, performance, style, whatever comes up. She seems like she has the most infectious energy, totally magnetic and unapologetic. I imagine it wouldn’t be one of those overly serious conversations either—it would probably involve dancing—laughing a lot. She just seems like someone who truly lives in her creativity, and I find that incredibly inspiring. She’s playful but razor-sharp, theatrical but grounded. And I think there’s a lot to be said for artists who manage to keep evolving and still feel completely themselves at every stage. I’d love to know how she does that—and maybe raid her wardrobe while we are there.
I feel like I already said enough above ☺ —I’m not that interesting!