If you follow fashion on Instagram, you’ll probably have heard of Pattinson. He’s one of the most popular fashion photographers in the world, and his work has been seen on the red carpet and in the pages of Vogue and Vanity Fair.
The British photographer has recently gained attention for his unique and detailed street style, which has gained him a devoted following among the fashion elite.
Now, the fashion world is abuzz about his upcoming debut studio album, which is set for release on October 5th. The album, named after himself, will be his first full-length collection of original songs. We’re beyond excited to learn more about this spectacular project.
A Life In Fashion
Robert Pattinson grew up in a modest home in the countryside of England. As a child, he loved to draw and paint, and as he grew older, he became fascinated with fashion and style. While at university, he began experimenting with photography, learning the skill during his breaks. In 2007, he founded his design firm, RPattz, and launched his fashion blog thenextweb.com, where he chronicled his travels and style inspirations.
Soon, the blog became so popular that it achieved unicorn status, with over 500,000 monthly readers. It was around this time that he began to attract the attention of the fashion elite, starring in prominent fashion editorials and landing high-profile gigs, like walking the runway for Dior and being the face of Burberry.
He continues to gain notoriety for his unique style, which has been dubbed “pattinsonism” by fashion fans and critics alike. His fashion ephemera are detailed and intricate, featuring a unique blend of high and low fashion that often draws comparisons to the work of Norman Parkinson and Karl Lagerfeld. As the Telegraph put it, “[his work is] highly reminiscent of Parkinson’s exquisite layering and use of fabrics, paired with Lagerfeld’s unique eye for design and color.”
A Life In Music
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the English rose, but that doesn’t mean he’s been idle. Since 2017, Pattinson has been enjoying a renewed interest in music, both behind the scenes and in front of the microphone. He’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Charli XCX, Halsey, and The Weeknd.
Most notably, he collaborated with Taylor Swift on her Reputation Stadium Tour, which was his first international tour. As she said in a statement at the time, “[we] started talking about music and fashion, and it came to be that we both appreciate the same things—strong female characters, unique clothing, etc. So it made sense for us to work together.”
The two have also been photographed together multiple times, hinting at an emerging romance. While Swift has always been supportive of Pattinson’s career, as recently as this year, fans have noticed a more ‘like’ than ‘like’ interaction on her Instagram as she continues to support her collaborators. In March of this year, she shared a graphic with the caption, “Sometimes a musician and a fashion photographer get together to create magical music and art.”
The Album And The Songs
After years of freelancing, Robert Pattinson decided it was time for him to put his talents as a musician and producer to use. In the summer of 2018, he launched a PledgeMusic campaign, asking fans to support his new album and his career as a musician and photographer.
He describes the album as “a diary that someone [he] cares about keeps and brings back to life,” named after himself. It will be his first album of original music, featuring 13 tracks spanning over an hour. As he explained to The New York Times, “I wanted to make sure that every song sounded different and had a beginning, middle, and end. It wasn’t easy, because a lot of the songs were written over the course of a few weeks, during a particularly difficult time in my life. I wanted to make sure that the album as a whole had that cohesion.”
The Release Date
While the album won’t be out until October 5th, fans can pre-order it now, with the first single, “Pattinson,” being released at midnight on September 29th.
The song draws inspiration from one of the most infamous breakups in history, the 2008 breakup of Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas. If you’ve seen the movie Love, you’ll know exactly what song this is—in fact, the filmmakers even referenced it in the movie’s end credits.
Whether you’re a fan of Swift’s or not, you have to admit that the song is catchy. It’s a testament to Pattinson’s songwriting that this is one of the most memorable pop songs of the year, even if it is about a notorious scorned womanizer. The accompanying music video, meanwhile, is a sight to behold. Directed by Luke MacLeman, it features some spectacular dancing and stunning visuals that will make even the most discerning fashion fan sit up and take notice.
The Backstory
As previously mentioned, Taylor Swift was one of the first celebrities to express interest in working with Robert Pattinson. They began collaborating in 2017, with Swift writing the lyrics to two of the album’s tracks, “The Archer” and “Lover”.
The songs deal with their break up period. “The Archer” is about the time when they first started dating. They had been friends for a while, but it was around this time that they began seeing each other romantically. According to Swift, “a few months before you and I were ever a thing,” she wrote on Twitter.
“I shot a music video with @rob_pattinson. It was the first time I ever laid eyes on him, and he drove me home that night. It was the start of something beautiful.”
“Lover” is a song about their tumultuous relationship. The two broke up in 2008, but they remained close friends. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, Swift was asked about whether she had ever considered romantically pairing with Pattinson. She responded: “I haven’t, but I’m not opposed to it. To be in a relationship with a woman my own age is appealing.”
Forbes has estimated the cost of making Reputation at $29.3 million. The singer spent a lot of money hiring the best producers and using top-notch studios. She also splurged on pricey wardrobe and accessories.
Although the album will no doubt be a financial success for Pattinson, it’s good to see that he’s making the most of his fame and using his money to fund his creative projects.
Style-wise, What Is Robert Pattinson’s Style all About?
If you’re curious about what separates Pattinson’s style from other fashion photographers’, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on the style blog TikTok, authored by the one and only Grace Coddington. In it, she breaks down every aspect of his unique style, from the way he dresses to the way he shoots. She also reveals the extent to which his personal style has influenced the way we look at fashion photography today.
“Robert Pattinson is a true original,” Coddington writes. “He is often imitated but never duplicated. He has a unique way of dressing that is as intriguing as it is inspiring. When I think of fashion, I think of Norman Parkinson and always compare [Pattinson’s] style to his. They are two very different but equally impressive stylists.”
According to Coddington, the two men share a lot of stylistic similarities. Like Parkinson, Pattinson is a huge fan of luxurious fabrics and strong, bold colors. He also appreciates elegant and simple tailoring, perfect for men and women alike.
Where Can I Buy Clothes Inspired By Robert Pattinson’s Style?
If you’re looking to buy clothes that reflect the unique style of Robert Pattinson, you’ll find a ready-made clothing collection available online at numerous retailers, like Nordstrom, for example.
The English rose’s popularity has now transcended the fashion world, with his style being emulated by stars and social media stars alike. While his work continues to be celebrated, his music rarely gets the praise it deserves. It’s about time that changed.