The subject of today’s LC:M textual conversation has incredibly, his fingers in MANY pies, in fact the hardest thing about this entire interview is where do you start when discussed the sickeningly talented Patrick Grant. Do you begin with E.Tautz, one of the brands he is Creative Director of, that he showed earlier this week during London Collections: Men or the other one, the Savile Row institution that is Norton & Sons. Or his many collaborations, a truly inspired partnership with Barbour for Autumn 13, which we’ll discuss later in the season or his venture, Hammond & Co, joining the expanding ranks of the Designers Portfolio at High Street retailer Debenhams. Not to mention his blossoming media career as a judge on the BBC TV show the Great British sewing Bee ????
Surprisingly though, Grant doesn’t come from a particularly Design background, or even creative, some might say. He has a Bachelors degree in Materials Science & Engineering, sorry what, from Leeds University and Universite d’Orleans and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Oxford. He lived and worked in five countries and in a number of different industries before the desire to follow a career in Menswear possessed him. Craftsmanship and a passion for old British brands lead him to Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons which he took over in 2005. Then in 2009 Patrick re-launched the historic British sporting and military tailoring house of E. Tautz as a men’s ready to wear collection.
He won the British Fashion Council’s Menswear Designer of the Year award in December 2010 for his work on E. Tautz. In 2012 he won the BFC’s Fashion Forward award and was shortlisted for Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards and International Designer of the Year at the WGSN Global Fashion Awards.
If fact why don’t I shut up and let Mr Grant tell you about Supermodels flashing at him or the Davids all coming over for a Dinner party and well…. I’ll let him tell you. Enjoy.
If you could collaborate with one brand who would it be and why ?
One of the great British carmakers, either Bentley or Rolls Royce. They’re a pretty rare blend of engineering excellence, craftsmanship, heritage and beautiful design.
Favourite hotel in the world ?
Lafayette House New York. A beautiful little brownstone, lovely old slightly rickety furniture, wonky floors, few but great staff, no reception or restaurant or gym or doorman. Feels like home.
If you could give your teenage self advice, what would it be ?
Sleep less, do more (do everything). When you get to 40 everything will start to creak.
In your words, describe the SS14 collection ?
Opulant, lengthy, shawly; the three ages of Edwardianism (the first one, the Teds, and the Peacock Revolution), central asian mens clothes, The Life of Birds. The Kandura.
What is you most memorable moment ?
Winning the Menswear Designer of the Year award at the BFA’s.
What track would always get you on the dance floor ? Blackout Crew – Put A Donk On It?
Who would do you ideal diner guests and why ?
David Ogilvy, David Niven, David Walliams, (anyone called David it seems).
Irreverent humorous Englishmen.
What piece of clothing best describes you ?
A well worn hiking boot.
What piece of style advise do you live by ?
To paraphrase Hemingway ‘Everyone has his own style, and there should be no rules about how style should function.’
What piece of clothing should everyman have in his wardrobe ?
A handmade grey flannel suit
If you could have invented anything what would it be ?
Air? That would be worth a few quid.
Who is your style icon ?
Jarvis Coker. Just splendid.
Tell us something no one else knows ?
A supermodel once tried to put me off on my final (victory clinching) question in a game of trivial pursuits by flashing her boobs.
E.Tautz Autumn/Winter 2013
E.Tautz Spring/Summer 2014
