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 we speak to some of the most influential designers, innovative brand founders and truly inspiring entrepreneurs from within the 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.

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Episodes

Mathias Jensen, Creative Director at Les Deux / Scandinavian Premium Menswear
1w ago
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 became the starting point for a bold dream: to merge preppy and urban styles, foster inclusivity, and make a positive impact on people’s lives worldwide.Since that fateful meeting, Les Deux has grown from a modest apartment-run business into an international brand with a team of 100. Through it all, one principle has guided them: when people from different walks of life come together, incredible things happen. This belief shapes everything they do.Inspiration comes from people - diverse communities that embrace everyone and moments of connection where strangers lift each other up. From tight-knit basketball teams in Paris to everyday acts of kindness, they find creativity in the passion, resilience, and heart.Les Deux is a testament to the relationships they’ve built along the way. The collective energy of people working together has been essential to success and fuels their commitment to giving back. Community is at the core of who they are, and through a Legacy program, they strive to create opportunities for those who’ve been left behind.Support the show
Rory Bennett and Billy Sims-Hilditch, Co-Founder of Sims Wear / British Made Clothing
01-10-2024
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. Pieces are made to outlive trends, and everything is done in the UK, from the fibre carding and spinning, through to knitting, weaving, cutting and sewing. The Sims Wear look is all about simple wardrobe builders, a classically British aesthetic with modern quiet elegance at its heart. Colour, cut and fabrication is key, where Margate Beach meets Marylebone via Scotland and the Yorkshire Dales. Founded by Rory Bennett and Billy Sims-Hilditch, the brand was born with a quest to find the perfect jumper. Billy chose a classic, super-soft navy blue cashmere crew-neck from a premium British retailer. It fit beautifully, felt great on, and went with everything. Sadly after only one year, the jumper had fallen apart at the seams. Having spent considerable amounts of time and money on the purchase, frustrated Billy set about researching what made a good jumper. This was when the Holy Trinity of knitwear, which is now intrinsic to Sims Wear, was identified, the best-in class fibre, yarn spinner and knitter. When these three are in place, something beautiful is created. The ever present chase for lower prices has meant that over the years, brands which were once associated with quality, sadly no longer live up to those standards. In a further move towards sustainability, there is a Repair and Recondition service for knitwear. This means that if any unfortunate accidents befall your jumper, you can send it back to the brand to be repaired. Whether it’s patches on the elbows, or simply a hole which can be darned, most issues if caught early enough can be fixed. In the process, jumpers will also be reconditioned by de-pilling it and washing it, making sure it’s returned in exceptional condition. OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Evren Ozka, Co-Founder of Mallet London / Luxury Footwear
22-08-2024
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 his time between London and Dubai. Mallet London has played a central role in blurring the lines between sportswear and luxury. Since its launch in 2015, there have been many significant milestones for Evren, all relative to the size and age of the journey. Standout moments for him include the brand's first wholesale order, which was from an independent luxury store, followed by getting stocked in Selfridges and Harrods, then Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and their most recent collaboration with Transport for London (TfL). Evren Ozka finds no better feeling than seeing people out and about wearing Mallet London. Since expanding to the Middle East, he has noticed an appetite for European brands in the region, especially those in the premium and luxury markets. With the ever-growing fashion scene where consumers take pride in their style, he believes that Mallet London’s unique designs will resonate with the people of the Middle East.OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Ed Bartlett, Founder of Kostüme / Cycling Apparel
10-04-2024
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 crowd. Every Kostüme product is crafted from premium recycled materials and released in limited editions of 350, with each batch known as an Edit. Combined with a pre-order model, this innovative approach to cycling apparel production drastically cuts waste, and is just one example of their commitment to put environmental impact at the heart of every decision.Kostüme was founded to challenge the status quo, developing stylish, durable and highly functional products to help you express yourself both on and off the bike, however you choose to ride. Every piece of Kostüme cycling apparel is manufactured in partnership with two of the leading independent European family-run factories, who combine decades of bleeding edge experience with a fastidious approach to sustainability and obsessive attention to detail. It's the brand's aim to be as rigorous and transparent as possible about the impact of their actions, and they're working hard to close the loop on truly circular production. OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Edzard van der Wyck, Co-Founder of Sheep Inc. / Natural Merino Wool Clothing
28-03-2024
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 unique digital fingerprint. Giving detailed information about the environmental impact and background about the farms and manufacturers. It even connects you with a sheep from the same farm the garment’s wool is from. Sheep Inc. aims to fundamentally change how we view and purchase clothing. Delivering best-in-class products with a unique customer experience and unparalleled sustainable credentials.Co-Founders Michael and Edzard are both experienced founders and saw first hand the impact of fashion on the environment. So their journey didn’t begin from a single moment but a series of realisations that the fashion industry's footprint was too heavy a burden for our planet to bear. It was the understanding that they could shift the approach and thinking. To do more, be more. Influenced by both the majestic simplicity of nature and the complex web of our global ecosystem, they were inspired to create a brand that mirrors the balance between the two.OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Ian Fielding-Calcutt, Founder of Fielding & Nicholson / Custom Made Suits
08-02-2024
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 and the world – the team regular travel for personal appointments to clients from the Scottish Highlands, to the City of London, Europe and the United States. The tight knit and long established team share decades of tailoring history between them. It is also one of the few tailoring brands offering a 5-year guarantee. The brand also has its own in-house cutter who has over 40 years’ experience in the business working with the likes of Paul Smith, Anderson & Shepard, Welsh & Jeffries and personally for members of the British Royal Family.Consultations can be booked to create formal business suits, country & shooting pieces, smart casual, wedding & formal suits and bespoke shirts in over 1,000 different fabrics. Primarily these cloths are handpicked from three main partners; Dormeuil, Loro Piana and Scabal, but also the likes of Dugdale Brothers, Huddersfield Fine Worsteds, Abraham Moon, Reda and many more. In the last few years Fielding & Nicholson has expanded the offer to include jackets, jeans, t-shirts, chinos, sweaters and hoodies. There is also a range of ties, cufflinks and leather goods.The brand is committed to long term relationships, and even longer term quality, believing that good tailoring is something that stands the test of time. You will never find a Fielding & Nicholson suit hidden and forgotten at the back of someone's wardrobe, no matter how many years it has existed for. For this reason the suits come with a five year guarantee to cover wear and tear, and fluctuations with clients weight, a dedicated suit-for-life.Ian Fielding-Calcutt grew up in a small town in Leicestershire called Ashby De-La Zouch. He had a keen interest in fashion from a very early age, often wearing waistcoats and 3-piece suits to college and when socialising. He studied International Politics and History at Keele University but wasn’t sure he wanted to do for a living and sampled a number of careers from PR to retail. In 2002 Ian was lucky enough to get a role with Tom James, a premium tailoring company, and gained early success winning a number of awards and becoming a Senior Tailoring Consultant in a very short space of time. His passion always lay more in the luxury sphere so he then decided to embark on his own adventure building a brand. In 2006, with the help of his friend Adam Nicholson, he created Fielding & Nicholson. OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Chris Beastall & Eli Ankutse, Co-Founders of Pelota / Sporting Clothiers
18-01-2024
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 style need to combine. Moving on from today’s man’s situational style conundrums, we are impressed with Pelota’s build quality - unforgivably, in our opinion, a key element to the successful brand puzzle all too often forgotten by upstart brands. Pelota garments are constructed from organic cotton, recycled materials and vegan friendly sources, and the brand’s fit is athletic yet forgiving. Meaning whatever shape you’re in, you’ll look and feel great. It’s difficult to not appreciate Pelota. A brand we can all relate to – after all, who doesn’t want style and comfort. Gone are the days of style at the expense of comfort. No more ill-fitting denim jackets, just because they look good. No, Pelota’s premise is well-made basics but with subtle branding – an expectant nod to the wearer’s eye for fine detail. OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Dimitar Kehayov, Founder of KHV CONCEPT / Handmade High-End Footwear
22-11-2023
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 culture. This harmonious blend of classic sophistication and contemporary flair results in footwear that not only exudes elegance but also provides an exceptional sensory experience. At KHV CONCEPT, you're not just acquiring shoes; you're elevating your style with the epitome of luxury and unwavering quality. Each pair represents an investment in a timeless wardrobe, a testament to their commitment to enduring style and craftsmanship. The brand leads the way in steering clear of the fast fashion phenomenon. In today's consumer-driven society, the pursuit of the latest trends often overshadows the pursuit of genuine excellence in our purchases. The fast fashion narrative has led us to believe that we can access everything at lower prices, resulting in an abundance of generic, low-quality items that frequently go unused. In pursuit of the perfect sneaker that blends todays culture but with elegance and sophistication, Dimitar Kehayov founded KHV Concept, a luxury footwear brand that would embody his vision of true craftsmanship and quality. The brand's name, KHV, is a reflection of his initials (of his surname) and the concept he wanted to bring to life. With KHV Concept, Dimitar aimed to create footwear that went beyond the ordinary, a fusion of design, craftsmanship, and luxury. His vision was well-defined: crafting smart sneakers with a novel silhouette, drawing inspiration from evening formalwear and footwear.OWNR OPS PodcastStarting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show