If you’ve picked up one the new Harvey Nichols menswear magazine, you may have come across a very special interview with Neil Barrett. It was a great honour to get to interview Barrett for the magazine, we met back in the summer in the new Harvey Nichols menswear department to discuss an exclusive archive capsule collection he had produced for the store in celebration of his eponymous label’s 15th birthday, as well as other stylish topics, including the evolution of menswear and the true meaning of style.
You can read an excerpt below, but to read the full interview, click here.
Style is individual to the person, we all have our own; be it fantastic, mediocre or awful. I think the mirror is the most damning and gratifying critic. –Neil Barrett
It’s a big question, but what does style mean to you?
Style is individual to the person, we all have our own; be it fantastic, mediocre or awful. I think the mirror is the most damning and gratifying critic. Just be honest with yourself, you should know deep inside if you look good or not, and you should know if it suits you. I have four fits written into every collection, and I focus on making people look slim and good no matter their size.
15 years is a long time, how do you keep your ideas fresh but retain a signature style?
I feel I’ve had a very clear point of view from early on. I’ve been consistent, I’ve aged and I’m very aware of designing for myself at this age. I’m always trying to tweak and improve things, and make myself desire something new. I have to convince myself I am designing something better than before. I’m constantly challenging myself and imagining the people I dress and who buy my clothes; I need to inspire them to want another garment.
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