Richard Wilbraham

Behind-the-scenes scene veteran Richard Wilbraham ran his own clothing label from 1985 until 1990, at which point he started a long-term association with big-name, now-defunct London leather specialists Expectations. It was here that Wilbraham honed his skills in crafting made-to-measure leather for the fetish-adventurous (jeans, shirts, chaps, breeches, hoods etc), which he continues to do today — along with textile-etc outfits for West End stage productions and for the pop industry [Kylie Minogue, Little Mix, Steps etc] — in his workship just west of Waterloo. Wilbraham has maintained professional links with former Expectations employee Jonathan Wheatley, with whom he owned Fetish Freak [see entry] between 2006 and 2013, formerly located in Arch 2 of the Hoist. Contact Richard for made-to-measure garments, repairs and alterations done quickly and expertly. By appointment only, Monday to Friday. A one-minute walk from Lambeth North tube station, then up a long, see-through, up-to-the-heavens metal staircase; vertigo-sufferers beware. In May/June 2023 Wilbraham worked extensively on outfits worn by the 25 dancers featured in Beyoncé's London shows.