Far Eastern inspired clothes. Daina Casling interviews the Bermudian designer who says he enjoys the "pure shock effect'' some of his designs have on local audiences.

A local designer is going to turn up the heat this summer when he shows his most provocative designs this Saturday at the National Gallery.

Models will strut the outfits of Bermuda-born Ricky Richardson in a fashion show as part of the Gallery's Jumpin' July festivities.

Mr. Richardson said his line of clothing -- Spirit Wear -- represented a mix of Far Eastern and Bermudian influences.

"Basically, my inspiration comes from the Far East combined with the conservative Bermuda lifestyle,'' he said. "It's all about feeling. Everyone looks and feels different in my clothes.'' But Mr. Richardson said he liked the "pure shock effect'' some of his sizzling threads had on local audiences.

"Everyone in Bermuda thinks different, feels different, and wants to look different, but we're not expressing it in the way we dress,'' he said. "The things I am doing are things people want to be wearing, but they just don't know how to go about wearing them.'' His most recent collection emphasises unconventional hemlines and necklines.

And he said he thought his collection of unisex sarongs will challenge Bermudians to break traditional gender boundaries.

"I just started to design second skin dresses, but there is always a lot of movement in my clothes even if they fit tight.

"My clothes are very free. I use all linens and cottons, natural fibres. And I never change fabrics with the seasons. I just change the fabric weight.'' Mr. Richardson also promised there would be a show stopper that his audience at the National Gallery would not easily forget.

"The only hint I'll give you is that it is painted,'' he said.

The self-taught designer learned his trade from his mother and grandmother who both sewed while he was growing up.

"I started off sewing my own stuff, but then the demand became so great I now have two people in New York sewing for me,'' he said.

Mr. Richardson said that once people wear his pieces -- which range from $95 to $300 in price -- they usually want more.

"People who wear my stuff are always surprised how they look and feel in it,'' he said. "The more they wear Spirit Wear the more they want of it.'' Mr. Richardson who has been back in Bermuda for eight years after travelling abroad added: "I have had a lot of experience in the fashion industry in New York City, London and the US which always helps.'' "I am not sure whether I want to stay in Bermuda right now,'' he said. "My work is considered more as entertainment here which is not really what I want.

But right now it's what I'll settle for.'' Mr. Richardson has experience as a model as well as a designer which makes him more precise when he is choosing who is going to wear his clothes on the catwalk.

"I choose my models based on feeling,'' he said. "I look for exotic looks and people who are natural looking and don't wear a lot of make-up.

Mr. Richardson splits his time between designing and hair styling.

"I am also a hair-naturalist which means I do hair and locks using natural products, never any chemicals,'' he explained.

But most of his time this week will be spent preparing for his fashion show which starts at 7 p.m. at the National Gallery.

The show is the third event in the Jumpin' July series at the National Galley which focuses on local talent, according to the development director and brains behind the concept, Geneva Humdy Woodley.

"We were eager to show Ricky's cutting edge fashions as his work is artistic in nature,'' she said.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro STRIKE A POSE -- Model Crystal Ball shows off one of Ricky Richardson's glamour gowns. The dress is priced at $195.

Ricky Richardson WILD SIDE -- Kumi Bradshaw moels a unisex sarong ($190), while Crystal Ball shows off a gown.