The illustrator, DJ and one-half of the Rockins scarf brand ponders the power of psychedelia
Describe your artwork in three words…
Scruffy, energetic, delicate.
When do you get your best ideas?
Being a father of two, generally at night because they’ve gone to bed!
What do you love about psychedelia?
The freedom of it. The ‘psyche’ of it refers to the totality of the human mind, so essentially it’s about the mind being manifested.
Who is your biggest influence?
My wife, Jess – we share a brain. And the kids. Our son came up with the brand name as he couldn’t pronounce our surname Watkins… ‘Rockins’ sounds much better!
What’s the secret to wearing a scarf well?
Remembering that the point of clothing is to protect, but the point of fashion is to make you feel something.
How do you wear yours?
Two together with different shapes, mixing patterns and worn at a similar height to the neckline in a normal reef knot.
Which rock stars wear scarves best?
Rod Stewart, blatantly. When Joan Jett wore Rockins it was a real ‘wow’ moment.
Who is your style icon?
Lemmy and all that Hawkwind vibe.
How would you describe your style?
Paul Simonon once called me a Greebo. If Paul says I’m a Greebo, I’m a Greebo.
What are you looking forward to this summer?
The festivals, they feel like snapshots into a kind of utopia.
What’s your go-to record when you’re DJing?
Barabajagal by Donovan.
What song title best describes you?
Don’t Believe the Hype by Public Enemy.
This article appears in the S/S16 issue of Another Man.
