In Memory of Professor John Miles

John, who led Fashion and Textiles at the RCA from 1989 to 1998, will be remembered as an exceptional designer, educator, and mentor. In addition to strengthening and showcasing the College’s influential Fashion, Textiles and Accessories Masters programmes, John was instrumental in forming the Fashion and Textile PhD community that continues to flourish today.

RCA alumni taught by John include Christopher Bailey, Clare Waight-Keller, Ptolemy Mann, Lou Dalton, Orla Kiely, Brian Kirkby, Julien Macdonald, and Philip Treacy. John also inspired many design educators and researchers, including Dr Savithri Barlett, Professor Sharon Baurley, Professor Kerry Curtis, and Professor Freddie Robins, all at the RCA.

Professor Kerry Curtis, Dean, School of Communication and Interim Dean, School of Design, remembers Professor Miles:

‘John was joyful, raucous, intense, and inspiring. He had the biggest, loudest laugh that reverberated across the RCA Fashion and Textiles studios, workshops, and brutalist stairwells. It was impossible not to know when John was in the building.

‘In 1991, he was quoted as saying, “I want the joy of knowing that wherever I go in the world, I will be certain to bump into one of my graduates who is working successfully in textiles or fashion.” There is no doubt that John achieved this and will be remembered by many of the RCA community and beyond.

‘Personally, John has been a significant influence throughout my career, and I know just how special he is to so many people. I was fortunate to be educated, mentored, and work closely alongside him. John inspired curiosity, risk-taking, and rigour, and he always reminded us to have fun. To enjoy life and to love.’