Style Profile.....Simon Kneen, VP & Creative Design Director, Brooks Brothers
One of the first posts I did on The Sartorialist was about how surprisingly good the Brooks Brothers Fall 2005 advertising campaign was. The store is also looking really good lately - they seem to be finding and good balance between classics and modern fashion. I guess it helps that so many of the classics Brooks Brothers has introduced through the years are so fashionable right now. I sat down with one of the main men behind the Brooks Brothers revival Simon Kneen ,VP & Creative Design Director, to find out a little more about his personal style.
Best Sartorial advice from your Dad?
Be Smart!
I only buy ____slim pants_____ in Europe.
I only buy ____button down shirts______ in America.
You build your daily look around your?
Color palette – coordinated and never matched
The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist’s outfit.
Overall togetherness
I skimp when buying.
My rule is to always buy the best you can afford
I splurge when buying.
Socks - as I only recently discovered cashmere ones
I always break this fashion rule.
There are no rules in fashion and if I felt there were I would certainly break them.
Now good taste is another question…..
Must have item for Fall 2006
Something in natural camelhair – sweater or sportcoat
Favorite store
New York – Brooks Brothers Madison
London – Purdey
Paris – Old England (sadly closing)
Milan – Biffi Uomo
Hong Kong – Dries Van Noten
Style icon
Anyone in Milan
Worst fashion mistake
Too many to mention
Most cherished item
Denims that have aged with me.
Favorite item of clothing
Brooks Brothers Made to Measure suits and My button down oxford shirts.
Favorite “fashiony” movie
Funny Face
Guilty pleasure
I never feel guilty about any pleasure.
Personal Style quirk
At the moment no socks with shoes and pocket squares
Most overrated item in menswear
I’m not a tie person
Most underrated item in menswear
Having things tailored to your body.
Most stylish city?
Milan by far –though London is catching up .
Never caught wearing?
Flip –flops and headwear indoors.
When I was high school I wore?
School uniform of grey flannel and the most horrendous shade of Royal Blue for blazers and sweaters.
Shine your own shoes?
Sometimes yes. It is good therapy in making me appreciate the good things I can afford.
Hobby?
Music
Sports?
Tennis when I visit my family in England
Favorite fashion magazine?
American Vogue
Favorite other magazine?
Vanity Fair
Cologne, skincare?
Creed Eurofla – been wearing it forever and I always moisturize with anything available after shaving
Comments on "Style Profile.....Simon Kneen, VP & Creative Design Director, Brooks Brothers"
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Anonymous said ... (4:20 PM) :
post a commentI love and appreciate this kind of stuff. Thanks. Brooks Bros are a mainstay, a lighthouse.
If I don't have to, I try not to wear socks in any month with the letter "r" in it. However, I must get around to discovering cashmere socks!
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Now that's style. I wish most people "dressed." Who doesn't look at pictures of his or her grandparents and sigh over the well-made, polished looks (no matter what economic means they had). This Brooks Brothers VP harkens back to style at its best!
I like the philosophy behind his look.
In 1980 I went to NY with my girlfriend and my first stop was Brooks Brothers where I received amazing service. I bought a beautiful shirt, a silver keyring and cashmere socks. 2006; same girlfriend, still have the keyring, shirt is gone and my brother stole my cashmere socks. Brooks Brothers still exists.
Life is good.
He gets major respect for wearing Creed. Top of the line cologne that matches his impeccable style.
Small thing-- the correct name for the Creed cologne cited here is "Erolfa." The kind Gary Cooper used to wear!
Oh, I like him! But all the references to Italian style are surprising.
Damn!
Sorry to hear about Old England!
That was one of my faves!
I would love to buy neopolitan style pants (barba, borrelli) at Brooks Brothers.
I'm always stealing my husband's Brooks Brothers shirts...today I've taken his French Blue button down.
I agree with Anonymous 12:42!
Surely there must be a market for one trouser that does not have room for a sack of potatoes in the back of the thigh.
We are not all supersized! And Banana, we are talking to you too!
Just bring back a plain front Brooks Brothers trouser circa 1965, maybe a version with side tabs in staple fabrics and we can all stop looking high and low, and KNOW that they will be there next season for F sakes!
Congrats to BB, the last few seasons have actually produced clothes I'd wear.
London is catching up???
Once you've seen one Italian man, you've seen them all. London on the other hand has a lot of individualism.
Like personal style, it's all subjective, I suppose...
I like the BB concept but the execution is for big round men. Even their slim fit is a fricking circus tent on me. The pants could be repurposed for some Cristo exhibit.
Brooks Brothers Dress Shirts cannot be torn, only broken. And that after repeated tries.
Old England is here to Stay !!! like the Song !!! It is also my favorite store and be sure it's not closing !!!
"Brooks Brothers Dress Shirts cannot be torn"
I just went to pull up my Brooks Brothers sleeve and it tore. Either I am incredibly strong or this shirt isn't that great. Haven't ever had a problem with other shirts which cost much less.