Folie A Deux “Madness of Two” is a UK based streetwear brand built on story, identity and duality, founded by Johnny Robinson in Derby, United Kingdom. Folie A Deux was built for my two children and takes its name from that bond “Madness of Two”. The brand’s direction and designs draw inspiration from the Joker (2019), one of my favourite films, expressed through a cinematic, dark, and chaotic aesthetic that reflects emotion, depth, and raw honesty. Folie A Deux is more than just clothing, it is a statement, a symbol of perseverance and a legacy built for my two children.

OUR COLLECTION

2016 - White Lines Clo.

Long before Folie A Deux was established, I co-founded a clothing brand called White Lines Clo. with a close friend. It was my first real experience of building a brand from the ground up, with a strong focus on locally sourcing blank garments and screen printing our now-infamous three white lines design. White Lines Clo. quickly gained traction, even featuring on The X Factor and being worn by several contestants. It was an exciting and fast-moving journey, but our age and inexperience ultimately contributed to the brand’s rapid rise and fall. Despite its short lifespan, it was an invaluable experience; one that laid the foundation for everything that followed.

2017 - FML Clothing

My next venture was a solo project, a denim focused brand called FML Clothing. With a clear vision in mind, I sourced blank denim from China and personally customised each piece by hand-distressing and fabric painting them to my exact specifications. The brand drew inspiration from globally recognised label Fear of God, with the aim of creating a more accessible take on their iconic denim.

Once again, the brand experienced rapid growth. Leveraging my own Instagram platform at a time when ‘hypebeast’ culture was just emerging, I was able to build momentum organically and connect directly with an engaged audience. This led to consistent sales and saw my designs worn by several personalities from The Only Way Is Essex.

However, as the brand grew, so did the distractions. A lifestyle of partying and travelling eventually took priority, and the momentum I had built began to slip. Ultimately, this brought the journey of FML Clothing to an end.

2025 - Folie A Deux

Then came Folie A Deux “Madness of Two”. Now married, with two children, everything changed. My perspective, my priorities, and my purpose were no longer the same. Where previous ventures were driven by ambition and opportunity, this one was built with something far greater in mind, my two children's future.

The name Folie A Deux itself draws inspiration from one of my favourite films the Joker, and the chaotic concept became the blueprint for the brand, representing a darker, more expressive identity rooted in storytelling, emotion, and individuality. Every piece reflects that influence, blending narrative with design to create something that feels both personal and cinematic.

Folie A Deux was born from a culmination of everything I had learned along the way, the successes, the failures, and the lessons in between. It wasn’t just about creating clothing anymore; it was about building something meaningful, something lasting.

Of course, the landscape had evolved. Marketing had shifted, attention had moved, and platforms like TikTok had transformed the way brands grow and compete. Breaking through in such a saturated and fast-paced space wasn’t easy, and adapting to these new dynamics came with its challenges. But this time, things were different.

This wasn’t a side project or a phase, it was my passion, and I was determined to make it work. Every decision, every design, and every step forward was driven by the vision of creating a better future. They say good things come in three, so this is third time lucky.

2026 - Highs & Lows

The year that followed was one of the most challenging yet, defined by both highs and lows. At one point, an unexpected legal threat from a charitable organisation nearly crippled the brand. It was a situation that came out of nowhere and hit hard, putting immense pressure on both the business and me personally. It changed everything, my direction and even my desire to continue. It was one of those moments that tests whether you truly believe in what you’re building.

I’ve never been one to walk away. Instead of letting it define the end, I used it as a turning point. I took a step back, regrouped, and came back with a renewed sense of purpose, stronger, sharper, and more focused than ever.

From that setback came evolution. The introduction of the Re-Work Collection marked a new chapter for Folie A Deux. To launch this, I partnered with Love Island 2025 runner-up Harry Cooksley, bringing fresh energy and wider attention to the brand. What once felt like a breaking point became a breakthrough.