Do you remember the first item of clothing you bought with your own money? I was 16 and bought a pair of Dr Martens boots. I spray-painted them gold — I thought they were cool but I wanted to make them mine. I bought them with my girlfriend at the time to wear at the Haçienda nightclub [in Manchester] on a Saturday night.
We had made matching outfits — tartan shorts and long black socks ...
It was a look at the time, I promise. As a Mancunian yourself, what’s your favourite thing about style in the city? I left Manchester when I was 17, but when I was 15 or 16 I remember the music scene exploding with Happy Mondays and the Stone Roses. I found a different tribe in the Haçienda.
I remember the door guy, who is probably the most elegant person I’ve ever come across. He was 6ft something and would be smoking a fag on a stool on the door with that slightly effeminate look. He seemed so refined but different from the mainstream.
That really sparked my next steps into fashion. I would love to see him today..
