Menswear Style Podcast
Menswear Style
Welcome to the official Menswear Style Podcast, hosted by Peter Brooker. In this men's fashion, men's style, men’s grooming and men’s lifestyle focused podcast show we speak to some of the most influential designers, innovative brand founders and truly inspiring entrepreneurs from within the global fashion and apparel industry. Our aim is to bring you a detailed insight into founder start-up stories with a focus on sustainability, marketing, design, manufacturing, eCommerce, and operations.
Mark Warman, Founder of Barnfield Customs / Handmade Jackets
Barnfield Customs is a new brand not only capturing a passion for product, but with a drive to establish itself as a premium ‘maker’ within the UK market through founder Mark Warman.The brainchild of graphic designer and agency owner Mark, and based in Nottinghamshire, Barnfield Customs came to life in 2023 with a primary focus on designing and making premium overcoats and jackets to the highest standard. Garments that are timeless, abundant in finer detailing and in quality.Each Barnfield coat
Mathias Jensen, Creative Director at Les Deux / Scandinavian Premium Menswear
The story of Les Deux began in Copenhagen in 2011 when two seemingly opposite worlds collided. A law student from the suburbs crossed paths with a creative soul with international roots at a city bar. Their conversation sparked over a T-shirt: a plain white piece, adorned with military patches sewn by hand.Despite their contrasting backgrounds - preppy meets urban, entrepreneur meets creative - they shared a vision: to create a menswear brand inspired by their differences. That simple T-shirt be
Adam White-Johnson, Founder of BeardGang Members / Hemp Beard Care
BeardGang Members (BGM) formulate premium products that are class-leading and healthy for their customers. Their goal is to work with the body's natural chemistry to ensure your hair and skin maintain balanced and healthy. BGM products gently cleanse, condition and nourish hair and skin. They avoid sulfates, silicones and other artificial ingredients to maintain harmony with the natural chemistry of the human body. They do this to maintain natural oils and to keep your hair and skin as healthy a
Rory Bennett and Billy Sims-Hilditch, Co-Founder of Sims Wear / British Made Clothing
Sims Wear is a British menswear brand delivering elevated wardrobe essentials produced from the best wool and textiles in the British Isles. Dedicated to quality, and to creating timeless luxury that will stand the test of time, Sims Wear is built on three pillars; the best grade fibre, the best yarn spinner, and the best knitter. The materials used are also a trio of excellence; Supima Cotton, Nomadic Cashmere, and Merino Lambswool create a collection of style and comfort crafted to last. Piece
Evren Ozka, Co-Founder of Mallet London / Luxury Footwear
Disciplined, Dedicated and a Rationalist. Evren Ozka has long had a strategic eye for business, starting his professional career in textiles and manufacturing. At age 18, he ran his division at his family's textile companies for seven years before beginning Mallet London in partnership with Tommy Mallet. They realized a gap in the market - quality-designed shoes at an achievable price point, and the brand evolved from there. Evren is now Founder and Business Director of Mallet London and spends
Jonathan Bordell, Co-Founder of The Helicon Watch Company / British Watchmaker
With over two decades of combined experience in the world of watches, Danielle and Jonathan (a husband and wife team) share a deep passion for curating, creating, and connecting collectors and enthusiasts with timepieces from renowned watchmakers.Helicon is a new dial name, launched this year by two industry veterans with more than twenty years experience in the business of selling and sourcing watches - at all price levels and from a multitude of makers - to and for collectors and enthusiasts a
Miguel Soares, Founder of BYMS / Sports Fashion
Miguel was a professional soccer player but sadly suffered an injury which led to him starting a new career. Drawing inspiration from soccer, he embarked on a new journey. BYMS is a brand that stands out in the world of sports fashion, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and the celebration of the sporting spirit. With each creation, BYMS reaffirms its place as an authentic and influential voice in fashion and football.The newly launched "12th Player" jersey is a powerful symbol of
Peter Jüriado, Creative Director at Stenströms / Premium Shirts
Style, quality and comfort in every detail. This philosophy has made Stenströms one of Sweden's most well-known and respected brands. The classic Stenströms shirt carries 125 years of tradition, craftsmanship and quality. Jackets, knitwear, accessories and ties are now also included in their business concept. They can now look back on their 125 years as a design and fashion house. And even though they continue to grow, their attitude to quality always remains the same.
Will Verona, Founder of PURIFIED / Biodegradable Durable Sneakers
On a factory trip to Sri Lanka, shoe designer Will Verona was confronted with a shocking sight: a 50-meter high mountain of plastic waste. 'Trash mountain' would later collapse, with tragic consequences. Reflecting on his industry’s role in the environmental crisis, Will knew that something had to change. Determined to be a part of the solution, he began to explore the use of novel natural materials in his designs. PURIFIED is a London-based shoe brand creating 100% plastic-free footwear, solely
Giuliano Dore, Co-Founder of Get Groomed / Mobile Barbers
Get Groomed are not your average barbers, they're your personal professional hair artists that cater to you in your preferred time, place, and style. They aim to revolutionise your grooming experience. Imagine not having to deal with stressful commutes, long lineups, or disturbing the peace and quiet of your much-loved home or cherished space like your office. They're all about tailoring the experience to your wants and needs, fitting right into your routine without any hassle. Get Groomed is al
Manel Garcia Prats, Co-Founder of OHNE PROJECT / Barefoot Sneakers
The Project 080 sneaker is designed to look like a regular sneaker but with all the benefits of a barefoot shoe. Thick looking sole and dynamic design. Having a foot shaped shoe might be the most important quality of a barefoot sneaker because it keeps your toes in a natural position. OHNE PROJECT has a new designed sole that looks like a usual sole but gives all the benefits of a barefoot shoe. With less than 5 mm thickness it is ultra flexible and allows for a natural foot movement and sensory
Ed Bartlett, Founder of Kostüme / Cycling Apparel
Kostüme makes the best cycling apparel money can buy, developed and tested on some of the most challenging cycling events in the world. The brand makes technically innovative cycling apparel focused on all-day performance, comfort and utility. Developed in the UK for the unique demands of Audax and multi-day long distance cycling, Kostüme products are equally at home riding events like GBDURO or Paris Brest Paris as your local café loop, where the exclusive artist designs will stand out from the
Edzard van der Wyck, Co-Founder of Sheep Inc. / Natural Merino Wool Clothing
Sheep Inc. is a pioneering clothing brand that uses proprietary technology and supply chain innovation to deliver next generation knitwear essentials with a naturally carbon-negative footprint. Achieved by working with cutting-edge regenerative farms and supply chain partners that run on 100% solar power. Custom built supply chain technology gives real-time insight into production processes and NFC technology is integrated into each supremely soft garment. A tap of the phone shows each garment’s
Jack Millington, Founder of Billy Tannery / Handmade Leather Bags
Billy Tannery was founded in 2016 by Jack Millington. A farmer’s son who spent his early career in marketing, he had no previous experience in the leather industry. After discovering that thousands of goatskins were going to waste each year in the UK, he joined forces with childhood friend Rory Harker to launch Billy Tannery. Tapping into local leather knowledge, Billy Tannery built a pioneering micro-tannery on a farm in the Midlands and the sustainable, bark-tanned leather now completes the ci
Jennifer Brown, Founder of pampeano / Argentine Handmade Belts
Inspired by South America's rich heritage of unrivalled horsemanship and traditional leather work, pampeano evolved from the polo fields of central Argentina. pampeano remains one of the few brands with quality and craftsmanship at its heart. Continuing the cherished techniques of the South American artisans, pampeano uses only premium-grade, butter-soft, vegetable tanned leather and the finest, luxury natural textiles and threads available. Their craft is incorporated into pampeano's
Richard Plowden, Director at Plowden & Fallow / Luxury British Fragrance
The world of Plowden & Fallow is the home to one of Britain’s newer contemporary fragrance houses, located on the Plowden Estate in Shropshire, England. They produce artisan luxury fragrances and shaving products and accessories for those that demand not only the very best of quality, but also for those that yearn perhaps, for the less conventional. Plowden & Fallow is inspired by great British traditions, folklore and eccentricity. They take a great deal of inspiration and knowledge from the pa
Ian Fielding-Calcutt, Founder of Fielding & Nicholson / Custom Made Suits
Fielding & Nicholson is an independent tailors which has been providing a highly personal, exceptional service, creating pieces from some of the finest fabrics in the world for eighteen years. With origins in the North West of England, the brand now has showrooms on Sackville St, close to Savile Row, and in Manhattan, Zurich & Manchester.Founded by award-winning tailor and menswear specialist Ian Fielding-Calcutt in 2006 it is a go-to for those with impeccable sartorial taste all over the UK an
Chris Beastall & Eli Ankutse, Co-Founders of Pelota / Sporting Clothiers
The principal Pelota theme is menswear designed for after sport. The menswear brand is designed from the ground up to bridge the gap between sport and leisure. You might call it ath-leisure, but it’s a step beyond – it’s for wearing #AprésSport – imagine a fierce battle on the squash court, a post-match shower, the next step is comfort-wear but with style. Naturally this type of brand category lends itself to many other situations, be it working from home, or a social occasion where comfort and
Michael Shuttleworth, Founder of W. Rubens / Reinventing T-Shirts
It all began when clients would ask founder of W.Rubens and former stylist, Michael Shuttleworth, the same question: where can I get a good white T-shirt? Michael didn’t know. That’s when he realised something was missing. And so the idea for W.Rubens was born. Nothing new or revolutionary. Just the idea to create a collection of beautifully made white t-shirts, using the finest fabrics, and investing in British talent. Every Rubens t-shirt is a work of craftsmanship, released in limited collect
Mark Francis, Founder of Heron's Ghyll / Elegant Clothing & Tailoring
Heron’s Ghyll is a cosmopolitan tailoring brand with a pluriversal eye to the future. Within this vision, everything is fluid; cultures collide and recombine to produce new forms. Based in London, the brand approaches each collection with an openness to the world as well as a desire to seek out underserved narratives evinced through textile traditions. Taking the city’s rich heritage in tailoring as a starting point, luxurious natural fabrics are fused with the best of British craftsmanship to p
Dimitar Kehayov, Founder of KHV CONCEPT / Handmade High-End Footwear
Experience the essence of KHV CONCEPT, where they meticulously craft exceptional high-end products in London and bring them to life through expert handcraftsmanship in Italy. Their distinctive style embraces minimalism, showcasing a palette of pastel, earthy, and neutral tones alongside classic, timeless shapes. What truly distinguishes this brand is their innovative design approach. They draw inspiration from formalwear and eveningwear, seamlessly fusing it with elements of modern sneaker cultu
Kestin Hare, Founder of KESTIN / High-Quality Menswear
Founded in 2015 by designer Kestin Hare with over two decades of industry experience, KESTIN is redefining modern Scottish design by blending innovation with tradition. Kestin the brand was created to redefine modern Scottish design by blending innovation with tradition. They weave in references from their heritage and homeland, combining integral details from other areas of inspiration including vintage, workwear, military, sports and outdoor. The brand's focus is on responsible manufactur
Ben Mears, Founder of Expio / Lightweight Waterproof Outerwear
Expio are a cutting-edge brand for men's fashion that prioritizes style, sustainability, and performance. Through their groundbreaking approach to development, they have been able to produce the lightest, warmest, most durable and waterproof styles ever seen in the industry. The brand achieve this without compromising on their commitment to avoiding petrochemical materials and using subpar production methods. Expio's mission is to address the harm caused by the clothing industry throug
Keelan Doyle, Founder of ØTHERS / Multi-Sensory Wellness
ØTHERS is a new multi-sensory digital wellness experience with a 360o fusion of scent, sound, technology, and science to biomechanically re-tune, bringing you back to centre. In a place of candid, real-talk, and functional mindset management, ØTHERS helps retrain your behaviour, learn rituals to manage reactivity, and build emotional resilience through their app, curated wellbeing scents, and community driven platform. Built from the insight and expertise of a radical group of olfactory expert
Nick Reed, Founder of Neem London / Climate Conscious Clothing
Named after the beautiful Neem tree in India, famed for producing leaves with healing properties, Neem London is designed as an antidote to the modern ways of consumption – an antiseptic for fast fashion. The brand produces low emitting menswear, designed to achieve a cleaner way of living. Founded by Nick Reed, a menswear specialist with over 20 years’ experience, Neem London has a very distinct handwriting; always smart, but with understated quiet luxury underpinning each piece. Soft, comforta
Rosy Temple, CEO at Magee 1866 / Donegal Tweed Clothing
Rosy Temple is part of the 5th generation behind Magee 1866 which has over 150 years experience in designing, weaving and tailoring luxury fabrics and clothing in Co. Donegal, Ireland. Today Magee 1866's lifestyle collections include men/women/home interiors and accessories. This generation is about a sustainable future as they continue to focus on their heritage of long lasting quality and weaving natural fibres like wool and linen (biodegradable & renewable). The brand was established
Alvin Oommen, Founder of OXFORDhill
In this podcast episode we interview Alvin Oommen, founder of OXFORDhill, a brand dedicated to manufacturing an innovative hair styling clay using nature's most potent ingredients, while ensuring maximum effectiveness. Their passion lies in the creation of all-natural skin care, hair care, and home care products, meticulously formulated with purposeful ingredients that not only deliver exceptional results but also combat the risks associated with free radicals. Unlike most personal care brands t
Vincent Stadelhofer, Co-Founder of ANDREW & COLE / Sustainable Swimwear Brand
For this podcast episode we focus on ANDREW & COLE, where we dive into the world of modern, sustainable swimwear. Join us as we interview Vincent Stadelhofer and explore the innovative swim shorts that are revolutionizing the way we experience comfort at the beach. The ANDREW & COLE mission is simple: to create a new comfortable world of swim shorts without mesh. They believe in showing respect and love for our beautiful Earth, which is why they use ocean plastic and PET materials to cra
Junaid Ansari, Co-Founder of Burrows & Hare / Men's Clothing Store
Join us on this episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast as we sit down with Junaid Ansari, Co-Founder of Burrows & Hare. Discover the captivating journey of this family multi-brand business, which first took root in Oxford in 2015. Junaid shares the essence of their brand, where every item is meticulously designed and crafted for the discerning gentleman of today. With a commitment to timeless style and superior craftsmanship, Burrows & Hare embraces a philosophy of "buy less but buy b
Robin Vindevogel, Co-Founder of BTI / Fashion Business Guidance
BTI is an innovative London-based scale-up whose aim is to disrupt and democratise the fashion industry by helping retail entrepreneurs globally to build their dream business. Led by former Gieves and Hawkes private tailor, Robin Vindevogel and chaired by the renowned Dominique Vindevogel, they offer a comprehensive solution for both retail entrepreneurs looking to launch their own fashion brand and existing brands seeking to elevate their business to the next level. They offer access to the sup
José Maria Reffoios, Co-Founder of JAK / Minimalistic Timeless Sneakers
Join us for an enlightening episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast as we sit down with José Maria Reffoios, Co-Founder of JAK, the renowned minimalist and timeless sneaker brand. Since its establishment in 2014 by Isabel and José Maria in Lisbon, JAK has been driven by a compelling vision. They strive to create modern designs using high-quality materials that age gracefully, enhancing their appeal over time. With a focus on urban lifestyle and everyday use, JAK crafts sneakers and accessories that
Guy Hills, Founder of Dashing Tweeds / Fabrics and Tailoring Brand
Join us on the captivating episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast as we dive into the world of Dashing Tweeds, the British brand that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity in the realm of woven textiles. Founded in 2006 by fashion photographer Guy Hills and woven textiles designer Kirsty McDougall, Dashing Tweeds was born out of Guy's vision to create high-quality tweed that could be worn in urban environments. Combining his passion for traditional sportswear with innovative designs and t
Chris Kolbe, Co-Founder of HyperNatural / Eco-Luxury Menswear
Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast, where we have the privilege of sitting down with Chris Kolbe, Co-Founder of HyperNatural, an extraordinary eco-luxury menswear brand. HyperNatural prides itself on offering one-of-a-kind apparel crafted from naturally-performing materials, entirely free from virgin polyester, plastics, chemical dyes, and harmful petrol chemicals. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the brand combines innovative elements such as Jade sto
Jose Miguel de Abreu, Co-Founder of LA PAZ / Sustainable Heritage Menswear
LA PAZ is a menswear label inspired by the Atlantic, its people and traditions. Their aim is to work in a straight relationship with some of the best local Portuguese manufacturers, crossing their knowledge with a single approach to the design and the making of timeless and durable goods. PAZ means PEACE in Portuguese and that’s what’s behind the spirit of their project and the relationship they want to have with their crew, partners, customers and planet. Sustainability is now part of the world
Gustaf Secher, Founder of North-89 / Modern Functional Footwear
Welcome to another exciting episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast, where we have the pleasure of interviewing Gustaf Secher, the Founder of North-89, a dynamic Stockholm-based footwear brand. Established in 2016, North-89 emerged from Gustaf's lifelong passion for sneakers, which took root during his early years. While many sneakers today prioritize aesthetics over functionality, North-89 believes that functionality should be an inherent aspect of every pair. Their mission is to infuse a fun
Ed Bird, Founder of Bird Eyewear / Sustainable Sunglasses
The goal at Bird is to make better eyewear for a better world. They're reframing what really matters; people and planet. They seek out or innovate the best sustainable materials for their frames, including certified woods, bio-based acetate, renewable cork and recycled aluminium. Every pair of Birds gives back through a Share Your Sun partnership with SolarAid, helping to distribute solar light to families in Zambia and Malawi, replacing the use of fossil fuel burning lamps. In 2020 Bird becam
William Green, Co-Founder of L'Estrange London / Modular Clothing System
Welcome back to another captivating episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast. In today's edition, we have the pleasure of interviewing William Green, Co-Founder of L'Estrange London, a brand on a remarkable mission to simplify the male wardrobe in a world dominated by hyper-convenience and overconsumption.Join us as our host, Peter Brooker, engages in an enlightening conversation with William, exploring the vision and focus of L'Estrange London, as well as the significant progress the
Justin Deighton, Co-Founder of Two Tribes / London Brewery
Two Tribes Brewery make refreshing beers that invite people to come together and share a love of the moment. The brewery was founded in 2017 by individuals who were at the centre of London’s 90s club-culture movement. The values of fun, freedom, curiosity, and creative discovery that were core to that movement are at the heart of how Two Tribes operate as a business today. They are provocateurs within the London brewing scene. They push the boundaries of what it is a craft brewery is expected to
Lutz Schwenke, Founder of TWOTHIRDS / Sustainable Eco-Friendly Clothing
Welcome to the MenswearStyle Podcast, where we bring you another captivating interview. In this episode, our host, Peter Brooker, sits down with Lutz Schwenke, the founder of TWOTHIRDS, a sustainable and eco-friendly clothing brand that has gained recognition for its commitment to protecting the planet and its oceans.Lutz's journey towards founding TWOTHIRDS began during his teenage years when he spent a transformative year in Hawaii. It was there that he developed a deep love and appreciat
Scott Lancaster, Founder of Emerton Scott / Stoic Inspired Jewellery
Emerton Scott is a British company driven by a love for quality and simplicity in design. They’re a socially aware brand which handcrafts unique necklaces inspired by stoicism to help tackle mental health. For every necklace purchased, a portion is contributed to a chosen charity in the mental health space to help support the 8 million yearly deaths attributed to mental health illnesses. In 2018 Emerton Scott founder, Scott Lancaster, asked his martial arts coach for book recommendations to stre
Alex Orr, Founder of JAGO / Functional Adventure Clothing
JAGO is a menswear brand creating versatile, functional and timelessly styled products to be worn everyday and beyond - worn For Life's Adventure. The brand embraces adventure in its broadest sense - far beyond outdoor adventure only - living for variety and spontaneity. They believe their versatile approach to style and function is particularly well suited to the flexible work-play lifestyle so many of us now live in this post-Covid world. In a world of too much complexity and too much consumpt
Ken Price, Co-Founder of Blake Mill / High-Quality Dress Shirts
Blake Mill is a premium men’s fashion designer, based in Manchester, which makes completely unique and high-quality men’s dress shirts. Founded in 2018 by Steve French, Ross French and Ken Price, with a passion to make high quality dress shirts for people who want to express their individuality through clothes. The brand aims to help their customers stand out from the crowd. That may be as simple as sporting an interesting collar and cuff lining on a beautifully made white shirt. Or it may be as
Billy Thompson, Founder of Thompson Tee / Sweatproof Undershirts
Thompson Tee create sweat proof and premium undershirts that block 100% of underarm sweat and odour with patented Hydro-Shield sweatproof technology. Billy had axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweating) and would practice ridiculous deodorant rituals to conceal his underarm sweat marks. In 2011, he approached friend Randy Choi, who had experience working in the apparel industry. Billy learned that he too, could relate to the struggles of excessive sweating. Randy, who suffered from cr
Nicolas Willson, Founder of Futsol / Football Inspired Clothing
Premium, stylish, sophisticated football apparel for on and off the pitch. Futsol draw inspiration from the simple pleasure of playing with the ball. They see beauty in the ball, in the places where games of football are enjoyed around the world and those moments of shared connection and joy.In this episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast we interview Nicolas Willson, Founder of Futsol about his love for sport and how the journey with his new football inspired clothing brand began during the Covid-
Niklas Oppermann, Co-Founder of Carl Friedrik / Luxury Leather Travel Goods
Founded in London in 2012 by Swedish brothers, Niklas & Mattis Oppermann, Carl Friedrik launched their leather goods business after seeing a gap in the market for competitively priced but high-quality accessories. Today the brand merges its Bauhaus and Scandinavian design inspirations, with smart functionality using traditional techniques and craftsmanship. The core of the brand’s business has been built on always putting their community first; through a personalised approach, product lifeti
Niels Eggerding, CEO at Frederique Constant / Swiss-made Luxury Watches
Frederique Constant was established in its current form in 1988. Aletta Bax and Peter Stas launched their first collection in 1992, comprising six models fitted with Swiss movements and assembled by a watchmaker in Geneva. Frederique Constant is involved in all the stages of watch production, from initial design to final assembly. Watches manufactured under its trademark are either designed by Frederique Constant or by independent designers contracted for a specific series of models. Strong emph
Oliver van Lanschot Hubrecht, Brand Director at Alpina / Fine Swiss Watchmaking
Alpina was founded in 1883 when Swiss watch making visionary and alpinist Gottlieb Hauser founded the “Alpina Swiss Watchmakers Corporation”, and in doing so united the leading Swiss independent watchmakers, who became known as the “Alpinists”. Initially, the Corporation was developed to optimise the manufacturing of movements and watches by forming a union of manufacturers and suppliers, but Alpina soon began producing in-house calibers. In the 1920s, Alpina was already being sold in 2,000 outl
Adam Brown, Founder of Orlebar Brown / Holiday Clothing
Based in London, Orlebar Brown was founded by Adam Brown and launched in March 2007 as a tailored approach to men’s swim shorts. OB Classic swim shorts remain the original and best ‘short you can swim in’, offering something you can wear on the beach or by the pool, yet smart enough to wear to lunch or for a drink. In 2010, they progressed from beach to resort with a full range of holiday clothes that can also be incorporated into everyday wardrobes, including polos, chinos and shirts. In additi