How would you describe your style?
Eclectic.
What's the item you've designed that you are most proud of?
Right at the beginning I designed a pair of desert boots with a big white wedge sole. This was turning a classic into something instantly modern. There was a big trend in shoes after this, which made a lot of people a lot of money, with a shoe that looks exactly like mine. For someone who's not a shoe designer that's a good day. If you're not being copied you're not doing a good job.
Tell me about your new range?
I'ts all about textiles, Its about Alpine and everything you would need to travel from the Alps – eco wools, corduroy’s etc – with a nod to the seventies. There’s a lot of Après Ski going on. More Kris Kristofferson than Andy Williams.
What's your favourite piece amongst the range?
A double-breasted eco wool cream overcoat.
Why are great clothes important and what do they say about a chap?
At the moment I'm into really rich, deep, dark colour. A gentleman should always wear colour, whether detail or knitwear.
Can you tell me about your production criteria- cloth, manufacture etc.
Made in England is always best but go to where the cloth and factory is best.
Why is it so important to preserve classic manufacturing?
Part of our culture, heritage, the skill sets that are needed are not something you can just obtain, they should be passed down or learnt by an apprentice. My particular favourite is the shoe trade in and around Northampton.
Do you aim to make latter day classics?
No it's not my aim to make classics. It's my aim to make clothing that is interesting and gets people thinking. Mixture of tradition and contemporary. If you want to call that a new classic, then yes.
Is making stuff that blokes don't replace till they fall off good or bad for business?
Good! Guys like to make investments. When chaps make good investments, they tend to tell their friends.