Who am I and how did I get here?

Whilst thinking about putting this blog together, it occurred to me that I needed to introduce myself. I had a mountain of articles ready to go but no article on who I was and how I became to be ‘The Global Style Pilot’. More importantly, I thought it appropriate to discuss what had inspired me to proceed with sharing my knowledge and thoughts on style to a global audience.

Saturday 4 April 2020.

It’s a warm autumn afternoon, normally on a Saturday afternoon I would be out watching my boys play field hockey. In the early evening we’d pop to my favourite Greek restaurant for a meal and a bottle of red. However, today we find ourselves in unpresented times, in lockdown as the world tries to overcome the Covid19 pandemic that threatens the wellbeing, health and lives of so many. So there is no field hockey and my Greek restaurant is closed for the foreseeable future. I dare say that what we knew as normal before the virus will be quite different in the aftermath. The lockdown has provided everyone the opportunity to stop and think, and in effect reset. So rather than just sit and wait until it all ends with the view to returning to normal, which of course may never happen, I have decided that if there is one thing more than anything else I would like to do. It is this, yes, to share my passion, knowledge and thoughts on style and contemporary menswear through a blog.

So what is it you do again?

Being quite a social person and attending many functions and parties (well, it would be rude not to!), I have often wondered why it is, that on meeting someone for the first time, the first question is; “so what is it you do again?” My view is, that it is not important how you choose to occupy your day time, what is far more important, is who you are, and for me that is what you see on my Instagram page. These are the pictures of my finest looks and pieces; double breasted suits, ties, shoes, colourful cords, tweed, shawl scarves, fragrance and books on style. This is me, this is what makes me the happiest. There is of course the argument that people’s lives are not as you might see on social media, however these pictures are me and this is what I do and wear, every day.

How did I get to here?

I got to this place and day, through a long journey. A journey that I have been fortunate enough to take, in most part sponsored by my once career working for an investment bank and my passion for style and fashion. My earliest days of building my style knowledge base began in London working in the square mile, a haven of financiers dressed impeccably, working in historic buildings and living a life of luxury in between times. I built a collection of Hermes ties. I learned about chalk stripes suits, loafers and brogues, overcoats, Dunhill, cigars, martinis, Gucci loafers and fragrance. I am what I would describe an observer. I study and save the ideas away for future reference. My London days are what I describe as my formative years on which there were 13 of them. During this time I was heavily influenced by Sloane style, perhaps an appropriate point of reference might be James Hewitt, the gentleman most famous for his relationship with Princess Diana.

During my London life I was fortunate to attend many influential and stylish events including the Cartier Polo, Henley, Wimbledon, Ascot and private parties. All forming a base for how I am today. Of course living in London provided me with a gateway to Europe, day shopping trips to Paris were a taken for granted luxury, weekend breaks to Milan, Rome and Madrid all added to my education in style and presentation.

Following London, I spent 5 years in Singapore, again working for an investment bank. Singapore introduced me to colonial living, black and white villas, bars and cigars. I was fortunate enough to spend periods in Tokyo and Hong Kong through my role with the bank. Each trip away allowed me to explore and enhance my knowledge of style and of course shop and socialize. Business trips to Tokyo meant work by day with quick shopping trips to Ginza and Omotesando in between times, followed by after work drinks at some of Tokyo’s most hip and stylish establishments.

At the end of my Singapore experience I took up a new challenge in Shanghai. Whilst London was the base building block and Singapore the middle tier, Shanghai to my mind, was another level altogether.

Shanghai, frequently known as the Paris of the East, dominated by Art Deco buildings and antiques introduced me to tailoring. I had never before had anything made by a tailor prior to living in Shanghai. I spent a great deal of time researching and looking for a high end tailor. I found one and the doors were immediately flung open, to this day he is one of my best friends. He has my measurements neatly filed, and awaits every few months for a new order. I typically plan ahead prior to each season. I have what I call influencers’ that I sometimes refer to and otherwise through reading and drawing on my memory, I choose pieces for him to make.

So I am here. I could be anywhere really. I carry a lifetime of experiences and an eye for style and now I’m opening up in this blog.