A Morning Ritual in Ibiza
Every morning at four o’clock, Patrick Cox embarks on a four-kilometre walk through the serene landscapes of Ibiza. For the past seven years, this 62-year-old designer has called a quiet plot of land in the north of the island his home. His daily route takes him from his garden into the surrounding forest, accompanied by his two dogs—a pit bull named Titus and a pointer named Pompeii. Adding a unique twist to this morning ritual is Oscar de la Poubelle, a black and white cat Cox rescued from a bin in 2023. “It was his idea to come on the walks!” Cox chuckles, recalling how Oscar began following him and the dogs.
From Fashion Fame to Personal Struggles
Once a celebrated shoe designer, Cox was a household name in the fashion industry. He is now sharing his story from a friend’s high-ceilinged house in West London, reflecting on his life in Ibiza. His journey has been anything but straightforward. Since relocating to the island, he has faced numerous challenges: unsuccessful rehab attempts, microdosing LSD, and even a period of being placed on suicide watch by friends. However, he eventually found solace in the psychedelic drug Toad, which he claims has transformed his life. Alongside these struggles, he has also reconnected with family after decades of estrangement, adopted two dogs, and, of course, rescued Oscar.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Cox describes his time in Ibiza as akin to a rollercoaster ride—filled with exhilarating highs and terrifying lows. “Sometimes it’s been amazing, sometimes it’s been terrifying, and sometimes you just want to f**king get off,” he admits. His journey began in Alberta, Canada, where he was born as the youngest of two boys. His father, a linguistics professor, and his mother, a former ballerina, raised him in various countries due to his father’s job. However, after his parents’ separation, life took a turn for the worse, leading to financial struggles that marked Cox’s childhood.
The Rise and Fall of a Fashion Icon
Cox’s ascent in the fashion world was meteoric. After studying at Cordwainer’s Technical College, he designed a shoe for Vivienne Westwood in 1983. By 1985, he launched his own label, and by 1993, his star shoe, the Wannabe, became a sensation. Priced around £80, these tubular-toed loafers became a must-have, leading to a million pairs sold annually by 1997. Despite his success, Cox battled personal demons, including substance abuse and imposter syndrome, which plagued him throughout his career.
The Downward Spiral
The unraveling of his career was marked by financial missteps and the eventual closure of the factory producing his shoes. In 2003, he lost the rights to his name, leading to a series of failed ventures, including an erotic bakery in Soho called Cox Cookies & Cake. By 2017, feeling desperate and fearing for his life, he made the bold decision to leave the UK for a quieter existence in Ibiza.
The Challenges of Relocation
Cox’s initial months in Ibiza were fraught with difficulties. The house he purchased was half-built, and he struggled to adapt to a rural lifestyle, often going days without food. “I would drive to the Burger King in San Antonio, shaking from hunger,” he recalls. The realization that he couldn’t escape his problems was a harsh awakening. “I came with me to Ibiza. And I was the problem,” he reflects.
A Turning Point with Toad
In 2019, after a series of interventions from friends, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, Cox reluctantly entered rehab. However, it was a suggestion to try Toad that marked a significant turning point in his life. This psychedelic substance, derived from the Sonoran desert toad, provided him with a profound sense of clarity. “I call it a psychic reboot,” he explains, describing how it helped him shed years of negative conditioning.
Rebuilding Family Bonds
Cox’s journey with Toad also led him to reassess his relationships with family members. After years of estrangement, he began to reconnect with his brother and mother, ultimately inviting them to stay with him in Ibiza. The healing process extended to his father, with whom he had not spoken for two decades. In a poignant turn of events, Cox learned of his father’s decision to pursue assisted suicide, leading to a heartfelt final conversation that allowed them to express love for one another.
A New Chapter in Sicily
Now, as Cox prepares to leave Ibiza for Sicily, he reflects on the changes in his life. He has launched a new fashion brand, Doors of Perception, which features psychedelic imagery and is produced in small batches. His current lifestyle is markedly quieter, and he finds contentment in his solitude. “I don’t need to be the oldest man in the disco. I’ve changed,” he says, emphasizing his newfound peace.
A Final Farewell
As he contemplates his last day on the island, Cox considers a Toad ceremony or perhaps gathering vegetables from his land for a final meal prepared by a private chef. Yet, like every morning, he will rise at 4 a.m. for his ritual walk through the forest with Titus, Pompeii, and Oscar de la Poubelle, embracing the tranquility that has become a cornerstone of his life.
