Behind the Scenes of Casa Rixo

London-based womenswear brand Rixo made its debut at Liberty almost eight years ago: with its captivating prints and vintage-inspired dresses quickly gathering a cult following in London’s stylish circles.

Co-founded by friends and university course-mates Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey in 2015, Rixo remains a print powerhouse: with hand-painted, vintage and artisanal inspired prints adorning their fashion offering. Now, for the first time, Rixo is adding another printed string to its bow: with the launch of homeware.

Casa Rixo features a range of soft furnishings: cushions, napkins and tablecloths adorned in a newly created, distinctly Rixo, print. As the collection launches in Liberty, founders Henrietta and Orlagh took us inside the story of the brand – to give us a glimpse into to newly expanded world of Rixo.

Can you tell us a little bit about the story behind Rixo? How did you two meet and how did the brand become what it is today?
Henrietta: Orlagh and I met at university, about 13 or 14 years ago. We were both studying at the London College of Fashion, taking the same course. We lived together during our dissertation year and even did a project together. We bonded over our shared love for vintage. About six months after graduating, we launched Rixo from our university living room, and the rest is history.

Orlagh: The brand reflects our personalities and is an expression of how we dress. It was as much a passion project as it was a business venture for us. We wanted Rixo to represent our love for fashion in an authentic way and, hopefully, it resonates with others too!

How would you describe the aesthetic of Rixo?
Henrietta: We always say it’s effortless. Rixo isn’t about trying too hard or following trends; it’s more about timeless pieces that make you feel beautiful. Our pieces from years ago still hold that appeal—they're as gorgeous now as they were then.

Orlagh: Yes, “unique” is another word I’d use. Everything is designed without following trends. Our style is driven by what feels intrinsic to the brand’s DNA, not by what’s trending on social media. I think that really comes across in our designs.

Vintage prints are such big parts of Rixo’s identity. How did you both become interested in that?
Orlagh: I think we both always loved vintage and mixing prints. Even in our first collection, we mixed solids with prints, but it was the prints that resonated most with everyone. It’s always felt like a core part of who we are.

Henrietta: Yes, even when shopping in charity shops or at vintage fairs, we’d gravitate towards bold, beautiful prints—whether it was Celia Birtwell, Ossie Clark, or anything similar. We both just have an eye for vintage prints, and it’s something we’re both passionate about.

Do you have any favourite eras or specific pieces that have influenced Rixo’s aesthetic?
Orlagh: There are so many! But probably the late '60s and early '70s. That era had a spirit of fun and freedom that we really connect with. Rixo’s aesthetic is free-spirited, too. It’s about not sticking to one trend but keeping things fluid and expressive.

Henrietta: Yes, the '60s and '70s for sure. But we also love the cuts from the '20s and '30s combined with the playful colours and prints of the '60s and '70s.

What is the process behind the prints?
Orlagh: It often starts with finding something unique, maybe at a vintage fair or an old piece of fabric. We’ve been inspired by artists too—Matisse, for example, inspired the Casa Rixo homeware collection. We work with another print designer, and we hand-paint and sketch before finalising compositions in Illustrator or Photoshop.

Henrietta: It’s a process of taking something hand-drawn and transforming it into something that feels raw yet elegant. We focus on the colour balance and composition, which are essential to maintaining that signature Rixo look.

How has Rixo’s aesthetic evolved since you started?
Orlagh: Well, it’s funny because we’re both sitting here in solid black, but we still love solids and prints. Over time, our collections have evolved beyond just prints. Fit and cut have become central to giving customers confidence, and the brand’s evolution has been about finding what truly resonates with them.

Henrietta: Yes, we’ve trusted our gut instincts along the way. There isn’t a formula; it’s about what we personally love and are drawn to.

As co-founders, how do you work together?
Henrietta: We’ve definitely evolved in that regard. In the beginning, we did everything together, but as the brand has grown, we’ve naturally taken on separate roles. I’m the CEO, and Orlagh is the Creative Director, so we have different responsibilities but align on strategy.

Orlagh: Yes, we divided up tasks organically based on what we naturally gravitate toward. But we still consult each other and offer opinions, so it’s very collaborative even though we have our own areas.

Tell us a little about the homeware collection—why did you decide to do it, and do you have any favourite pieces?
Orlagh: Well, both Henrietta and I bought our first homes recently, and we’ve always loved interiors. Our flagship store design was a big influence; it was our first real space that we could style fully in the Rixo aesthetic. Homeware felt like a natural extension, especially with textiles like tablecloths, napkins, and cushions. We wanted the collection to feel like an extension of our flagship’s design.

Henrietta: Listening to our customers also played a part. People were always asking about the tableware at our events. Cushions, in particular, are an easy, accessible way to bring a bit of Rixo into their homes. It’s great to see how people make their homes as personal and stylish as their wardrobes.

In terms of designing, what’s the biggest difference between fashion and homeware?
Orlagh: The scale is probably the biggest difference. Designing a tablecloth, for example, is very different from designing a dress. Each piece in the homeware collection is a placement print, meaning it’s designed specifically to fit that item. That’s not something we typically do with dresses, so it was a new, more technical challenge for us.

Since starting Rixo, are there any moments that stand out as particularly proud or meaningful?
Henrietta: Launching in Liberty was huge for us. We’ve had a relationship with Liberty for over eight years now, and it’s an iconic department store. Being able to represent Rixo there year-round has been amazing.

Orlagh: For me, seeing our actual customers wearing Rixo is the most meaningful. Whether it’s a tag on Instagram or a picture sent to us, knowing we’ve helped women feel confident and beautiful is incredibly rewarding.

Our customers often share meaningful stories with us—how they wore Rixo for a special occasion or to celebrate a milestone. It’s very special, and it’s a big part of what makes the brand so rewarding for us.

Henrietta: It’s amazing to see Rixo pieces worn all over the world, styled in so many ways. That’s what makes the brand feel so alive and personal.

Orlagh: We want to encourage our customers to wear Rixo in their own way, without dictating too much. It’s about dressing for yourself and making the pieces your own.