Theodora Richards—the 25-year-old model progeny of Patti Hansen and Keith Richards—is, you imagine, a high-rolling rock heiress. Mustn’t her trust fund be just heaped with Rolling Stones royalties? And modelling still pays, right? In the past few years, she’s fronted for Burberry, Erin Kleinberg and—alongside big sis Alexandra—French Connection. This spring, she joins fellow rock princesses Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldof in the high court of C’N’C Costume National models. But then you meet her, fresh off the cheap-and-cheerful Joe Fresh Style runway (where she lost a shoe but bravely kept walking) at LG Fashion Week in Toronto [See the full Joe Fresh Style Spring 2010 show], and she’s all breathlessly chatty, literally in her stockinged feet and talkin’ ’bout her budget woes. Do you feel sympathy for the spawn? Read on.
Is this your first time in Toronto? “No, but it was years ago, the last time I came—for the Stones’ concert.” [The Rolling Stones played a SARS benefit in Toronto in 2003.]
Did you get to do any shopping on this trip? “No, I’m really very wary of my money these days.”
Recessionary times. “Exactly. They’re inexpensive, the Joe Fresh clothes, and so I got some, and I think I’ll be set for spring.”
What’s your favourite look in the Joe show? “Oh, that’s so hard! I love the little satchel that all the girls were carrying. I love anything hands-free. Like, if you don’t have to carry it, and you can just dance and jump around.”
What was your last big splurge? “Probably these amazing unicorn-hair shorts. Well, they’re not really unicorn.”
I was going to say, “you got suckered!” [laughs] “No, they’re just these white leather shorts with giant silver buttons…and then this plaited hair, like fringe. They’re truly magical. I got them at Resurrection, the vintage store in Los Angeles. It’s phenomenal.”
What did you buy with your first modelling paycheque? “Was it shoes? Hmm, I think it might have been a pair of red heels from Marc Jacobs, with little bows on them. They’re feminine but tomboyish. I love that.”
Plus, you can just click your heels three times and go home. “I wish I could have done that on the [Joe Fresh] runway! But I’m glad I did it—I’m so happy I didn’t break down.”
Who has better clothes to steal, your mom or your dad? “That’s a really tough question. My mom’s like chic, sexy and fitted, and Dad is comfortable and colourful and brilliant. I think it’s a complete tie.”
Favourite thing you’ve inherited? “A jacket from Granny Takes a Trip, this amazing boutique back in the ’60s in England that would make clothes for you. This jacket, they shortened it for my dad so he could play guitar in it, and it fits me perfectly because I’ve got little arms.”
Do you have a favourite shopping street? “Well, if you say Main Street anywhere, that usually works.”
But sometimes you want to go off the beaten path. “Yeah, exactly, the nooks and crannies. Howard Street, in New York, has got some good ones. And Patricia Field’s is a classic.”
What are you saving up to buy? “You know that movie Where the Wild Things Are? I wanted to buy the jumpsuit Max wears, from Opening Ceremony. But I called, and they said they didn’t have any. I’m like, ‘OK, I’m sure I’ll find one!’ And they’re just like: ‘Good luck.’ And then a click.”
You didn’t pull the whole you-don’t-know-who-my-dad-is thing? “Never! And I never will.”
First published in FASHION Magazine April 2010
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