We had the chance to catch up with Ohio-born, Brooklyn-based designer Kody Phillips in his Paris Fashion Week showroom where he unveiled his Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The designer has rapidly become well-known thanks to his avant-garde and military-inspired aesthetic with innovative details like pockets, cords, and zippers. Since launching in 2016, he has dressed celebrities and received accolades from prominent figures in the industry and has seen his Lasso Shirt go viral while his signature style is more “Pantaloons Champion”.
Spring/Summer 2026 also sees a limited edition of graphic tees with original artwork by Sage Barnes are part of the collection; this collaboration gives Phillips’ iconic tee silhouettes more color and vibrancy. Phillips used this collection to experiment with new techniques, colors, and materials in a way that feels more playful and self-assured, all the while continuing to hone his signature pieces. The collection shows that Phillips is maintaining his focus on what makes his work unique while gaining momentum.
Where did you study?
I dropped out of high school sophomore year, I just didn’t like it. Was always bad at it. Why keep being bad at something?
Did you ever intern with anyone?
I have never interned with anyone; I’ve had a brand since 2016. Before that, I was selling snapbacks with custom brims back in 2013. I’ve made clothes for as long as I can remember.
What does showing in Paris allow you to express that might not translate elsewhere?
Paris is more fun. Why do it at home? Paris is awesome.
Did you have any influences growing up?
The main one, the very first one I do remember, was when I was 13, and it was Ryan Seacrest in American Idol Season 1. He had the sports jacket and the jeans and that shit was just fucking mind-blowing to me. I went to private school, so I couldn’t do anything with it but Ryan Seacrest, thank you!
How do you balance creative freedom with the ethical weight that comes with sustainability in fashion?
I don’t focus on it; the most sustainable thing is not to have a brand.
Who are 3-4 people you would like to see wear your clothes?
Ishowspeed, Colman Domingo, Bella Hadid, and Timothée Chalamet.
Do people here in Paris respond differently than in the States?
I don’t know about customer-wise, but definitely is much cooler because you kind of trap them. Everyone is here from America, so you can pretty much talk to anyone and meet cool people cause they are here and they want to hang out. It’s a nice networking opportunity.
What are you excited about relating to this Paris fashion week?
I’m excited about my Pause party, the Kody Phillips Pause Party. I’m excited to mingle. I want to be a man of the people.
What specific challenges have you faced recently?
Everything, wholesale and etc is very very very very very hard to balance. Some would say impossible. Our first wholesale order happened to line up with the tariffs, we had a killer first season and got into 16 stores then a month later the tariffs hit.
Your work has a very specific energy. How do you want people to feel when they wear your clothing?
Sexy, cool, and like they know something you don’t. Fitted up, I want them to feel comfortable.
Is there a material or textile you haven’t used yet that you’re dying to experiment with?
Moleskin, moleskin, moleskin, I fucking love moleskin. I really like crepes but they are hard, super hard.
When you’re creatively blocked, where do you go—or what do you do—to reset your mind?
I don’t have creative block.
Do you listen to music while in your studio?
Yes, yodeling, 1930’s shit, Elton Brit, Sinatra, Eartha Kitt and Jimmie Rodgers. Just like weird shit.
How many people make up the team at Kody Philips?
Me and Ryanna first then we have Johnny King production manager, we have Matt Rossi stylist and assistant designer, Milen ad guy, Brian email guy, Ana our PR, Gracie our logistics and assistant, Joshie customer service, Giovanni our intern, and then we have on hand staff of models.
Do you like it when your customers experiment with different proportions and styles?
I love it.
Do you take inspiration from your customers?
No, I don’t really look at them like that. I take inspiration from Matt and like my friends.
Do you have the overall say on what stores Kody Philips is stocked in?
Technically I do have the overall say but we do have an agency called Dear Progress that we trust very much. I pretty much take whatever they say but there are a few that we’ve had to turn down.
What is next? What should the people be looking out for?
The Fall/Winter 25 Campaign in late July, is our biggest collection and we are super excited to drop it. We are hitting stores in late July so Kody Phillips will be available in a bunch of retailers by then.
Do you ever see yourself being the face of any of your campaigns?
I don’t want to be. I like being on camera but only when I want to be. I’m not an actor you know? I’m a silly guy who makes clothes. I am in the fall-winter campaign though.
Relating to the train track campaign, what was the idea? Did you go in with a plan?
We did, we had a whole plan and then it fell through. Then that was a last-minute substitution that worked out incredibly. It was the same idea, just smaller and quicker. It was all of our friends, we didn’t have any outside agencies or new people. It was just us on a shoestring budget just outside and it turned out really good.
