My personal style signifier is my quirky lapel pin. I have quite a collection of vintage ones, from butterflies and ducks to cats and dogs. My wife, Marie, is Swedish, and I started buying the pins each time we went to a loppis – like a flea market in a barn – over there. I got interested in them as we travelled around, and my collection is growing.
The last item of clothing I bought and loved was a T-shirt from The Bike Shed Motorcycle Club in east London, featuring a graphic of a skeleton riding a motorbike. I’m lucky to have an extensive wardrobe of tailored shirts from Turnbull & Asser – my favourite is a super-soft bespoke denim/cashmere blend with my signature rounded 1930s collar – but I have a weakness for black T-shirts with graphics. The motorbike image is another passion: I grew up surrounded by farmland in Norfolk, riding field bikes from the age of three. T-shirts, £35; thebikeshed.cc. Bespoke shirts, from £255; turnbullandasser.co.uk.
And the thing I’m eyeing next is a sweater or some outerwear from Christopher Kane’s new collection. I love his menswear; I think we share a love of pattern play and graphic reinterpretation. In readiness for winter, I’d also like an Antarctic parka from Nigel Cabourn – I have always admired the attention to military authenticity and practicality of his designs. christopherkane.com. Parka, £2,999; cabourn.com.
The people I rely on for personal grooming are at Murdock London barbers, in Liberty or in Shoreditch, for haircuts and beard trims; I like the service and their own-brand products. I also go to Jack the Clipper in Shepherd Market in Mayfair for a trim – I like the hot-towel action, and you get a little massage. Jack the Clipper, 020-3602 2427; jacktheclipper.co.uk. Murdock London colognes, £70 for 100ml; murdocklondon.com.
The best gift I’ve given recently was a photograph by Chrystel Lebas from a series called Blue Hour, to my wife Marie. We saw it in The Photographers’ Gallery and were mesmerised by it – it depicts a field of flowers in a forest, shot with a long exposure, at that strange time between night and day. It’s beautiful and slightly spooky. 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1 (020-7087 9300; thephotographersgallery.org.uk).
And the best one I’ve received recently is a box of vintage cufflinks from my mother-in-law. She cycles around markets and shops in Sweden for them: the fact that she spends so much time doing it makes them such a nice gift. I don’t actually wear shirts with cuffs that need cufflinks, but I love them regardless.
An indulgence I would never forgo is expensive Japanese whisky. I don’t drink much alcohol, so when I do, I want it to be special. A memorable one was a rare Yamazaki sherry cask whisky from 2013 I tasted in Grandfather’s bar in Tokyo – the owner plays vintage vinyl, and they have a great stock of whiskies. 1-24-7 Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0002 (+813-3407 9505).
An item of clothing I would never part with is my father’s waxed-cotton motorcycle jacket. He bought it on the day I was born, and one of my earliest memories is the smell of wet waxed cotton and him coming home on his motorcycle in the rain. I inherited it in my 20s and have only added a few road scars and badges. I hope to pass it on to my son.
The last meal that truly impressed me was at Peckham Bazaar, which specialises in eastern Mediterranean food. The lamb and pork adanas is out of this world. It’s a small and cramped space, but the atmosphere and food are amazing. 119 Consort Rd, London SE15 (020-7732 2524; peckhambazaar.com).
My favourite websites are Bikeexif.com, for my motorcycle fix; Themodernhouse.com, for when I am daydreaming about escaping London to live in a midcentury-designed house somewhere; Dog-milk.com, which is great for all things canine; and I also have a lifetime membership for Lumosity.com, which is a “gym for the brain” – I like to play the games on my iPad for about 15 minutes a day, as it keeps me sharp.
