Menswear Style Podcast

In this episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast, we sit down with Iggi Zain Leveritt, founder and creative force behind Workhouse England, for a fascinating conversation about British menswear, craftsmanship, authenticity and the unconventional journey that led him to build one of the country’s most distinctive independent clothing brands.
Born in Manchester in 1964 to Pakistani parents and adopted by an English family as a baby, Iggi grew up in rural Suffolk before heading to the London College of Fashion. His early career took him into the heart of London’s fashion scene, working alongside some of the industry’s most talented pattern cutters and designers, including time at French Connection and with independent British labels during the creative explosion of 1980s London.
Iggi talks candidly about always wanting to create his own brand, trading at Camden Market, building a business from his father's garage, and later finding himself working from a garden shed after losing his studio. Eventually, he bought and painstakingly restored an old Victorian slaughterhouse in Suffolk, transforming it into the studio that is now at the heart of Workhouse England.
We explore the influences behind the Workhouse England aesthetic, from historical British clothing and old photographs to Iggi's fascination with the way young people once wore formal clothes with an effortless, rebellious swagger. He explains why imperfections can be more interesting than perfection, and why creating garments with genuine provenance and character matters so much to him.
The conversation also dives deep into British manufacturing, the importance of long-standing relationships with skilled makers, and Iggi's experiences selling to Japan, where an extraordinary attention to construction and quality has helped shape his own approach to clothing.
Along the way, we discuss pattern cutting, specialist sewing machinery, the craft behind seemingly small details, the importance of learning from people around you, and the enduring friendships that have accompanied Iggi throughout his career.
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In this episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast, we sit down with Richard Marshall MBE, Founder of Pall Mall Barbers, to explore an extraordinary journey from sweeping the floor of a barbershop at the age of 12 to building one of London’s most recognised barbering businesses.
Richard talks openly about growing up dyslexic, being asked to leave school at 15 without qualifications, and discovering that his strengths lay not in conventional education, but in learning through experience, intuition and doing. His story is a fascinating insight into how perceived limitations can ultimately shape an entrepreneurial mindset built around problem-solving, resilience and finding a different way forward.
We also hear how Richard acquired Pall Mall Barbers in 2005, initially unaware of its remarkable history. After discovering an old business card beneath the floorboards, he began researching the company and traced its roots back to 1896. What started as a run-down barbershop became the foundation for a brand now known for its heritage, craftsmanship and modern approach to men’s grooming.
One of the most fascinating parts of Richard’s story is how a childhood fascination with the film Trading Places helped inspire his ambition to open a business in New York. Following the disruption caused by Brexit to his international distribution plans, a trade show brought Richard back to New York, where a chance walk through Rockefeller Center led him to spot an opportunity for a Pall Mall Barbers location. Today, that dream has become reality.
We discuss the differences between British and American customers, why international businesses need to adapt to local markets, and how Pall Mall Barbers recreated the atmosphere of its London stores at Rockefeller Center while retaining its distinctive British identity.
Richard also shares his approach to scaling a service business without losing its soul. Rather than controlling every detail, he believes in empowering people, mentoring them and giving them the freedom and environment to become the best version of themselves. It is an approach that has helped him grow the business while developing the people around him.
Finally, Richard talks about his plans to give back through mentoring and the challenge of writing his first book — something particularly meaningful given his lifelong struggles with reading and writing.
From barbering and entrepreneurship to international expansion, British heritage, dyslexia, leadership and the power of dreaming big, this is an honest and inspiring conversation with one of the leading figures in modern British barbering.
Listen to the MenswearStyle Podcast with Richard Marshall MBE, Founder of Pall Mall Barbers.
www.menswearstyle.co.uk

In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, we welcome back Nick Reed, founder of Neem London, for another conversation as the independent menswear brand continues to evolve.
Founded around four and a half years ago, Neem London was created with a simple but ambitious idea: to combine contemporary menswear with a genuinely circular approach to production. The brand uses recycled and traceable materials, designs products with longevity and versatility in mind, and takes garments back to rework and recycle them.
But sustainability isn't the only thing driving Neem forward.
Nick explains why the brand's sweet spot is the often-overlooked 45–65-year-old customer — particularly men who may have allowed style to take a back seat while life, work and family took priority. That thinking inspired Neem's latest campaign, “The Uniform of Hot Dads”, a deliberately humorous and self-aware approach to getting older men interested in clothes and style again.
We discuss why Nick believes fashion has largely forgotten this customer, the importance of using older models rather than defaulting to 25-year-olds, and how humour and relatability can make a menswear brand feel far more approachable.
Nick also talks openly about the realities of running physical retail, including why Neem eventually left Piccadilly Arcade, the importance of negotiating the right rent, and why the right location can make such a difference to an independent brand. With more than 60% of Neem's business coming from online sales, he also explains the challenge of trying to recreate the personalised styling experience of a physical shop digitally.
The conversation gets into Neem's approach to product design too. Versatility and trans-seasonal wearability are central to the range, with breathable natural fabrics, easy layering and garments designed to work across much of the year rather than being tied rigidly to traditional fashion seasons.
Nick shares what could be coming next for the brand, including wool coats, rainwear, swimwear, shorts and heavier knitwear, as well as his thoughts on where the future of independent menswear retail lies.
We also hear about Neem's styling sessions, the importance of making customers feel comfortable rather than intimidated, and why Nick believes some men don't need more clothes — they simply need someone to listen to them, understand what suits them and give them the confidence to dress better.
An insightful and refreshingly honest conversation about sustainable menswear, the realities of independent retail, ageing and style, and why the “hot dad” might just be one of fashion's most overlooked customers.
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In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, we speak with Guray Kesman, founder of Kesman Male Grooming, the London barbering and grooming brand built around personalised consultations, expert advice and helping men feel more confident in their appearance.
Guray’s journey into barbering began unexpectedly after moving from Turkey to London at the age of 15. After deciding that restaurant work wasn’t for him, he tried his hand at barbering and quickly discovered a natural talent for cutting hair. More importantly, he discovered that he loved working with people.
That realisation became central to his approach.
Rather than simply asking a client how short they want their hair and getting to work, Guray believes a good barber should understand the individual sitting in the chair — from their face shape and hair type to their lifestyle, maintenance routine and the problems they are trying to solve. For him, the consultation is just as important as the haircut itself.
We discuss why barbering requires much more than technical skill, how to create a comfortable environment where clients feel listened to, and the importance of understanding the human psychology behind grooming. Guray also explains why a great haircut should be something a client can actually recreate and maintain at home, rather than a style that only works when it has been professionally finished.
The conversation gets into practical grooming advice too, including choosing the right styling products, looking after dry or brittle hair, the differences between water-based and oil-based products, and why using the wrong products can sometimes make hair problems worse.
Now with two London locations in Farringdon and Victoria, Kesman Male Grooming has been recognised by GQ as one of London’s best barbers for six consecutive years. Guray reveals the thinking behind the brand’s expansion, why maintaining culture, quality and consistency matters more than simply opening more shops, and his plans for international growth.
He also shares details of some ambitious projects currently in development, including an AI-powered consultation tool designed to help clients understand their grooming needs before they even sit in the barber’s chair, as well as plans for a future Kesman product range.
We also hear about the brand’s own magazine, its growing presence on Instagram and TikTok, and the long-term relationships Guray has built with clients over the course of his career.
A fascinating conversation about barbering, men’s grooming, confidence, customer experience, entrepreneurship and why the best barbers do far more than simply cut hair.
www.menswearstyle.co.uk

In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, we speak with Guy Blaskey, founder of Detrash, the independent British watch brand bringing sustainability, distinctive design and a sense of fun to an industry often dominated by heritage and convention.
Guy’s journey into watches began after selling Pooch & Mutt, the successful pet food company he founded in 2008. Looking for a watch to mark the occasion, he noticed something missing. While industries from fashion and food to household products had seen the emergence of ethical challenger brands, the watch world appeared to have relatively few alternatives built around the same values.
That observation became the starting point for Detrash.
Guy explains how his background in advertising, branding and design helped shape a watch company that deliberately avoids creating cheaper versions of established luxury designs. Instead, Detrash produces limited-edition watches combining vintage influences, bold colours, reliable automatic movements and unconventional sustainable materials — including watch straps made using waste from Budweiser beer.
We discuss why Guy believes the best products give their owners stories worth telling, how Detrash approaches sustainability without sacrificing personality, and why the brand became the first European watch company to join 1% for the Planet, committing 1% of its turnover to environmental causes.
The conversation also explores the psychology of luxury and “mimetic desire” — whether we genuinely want certain expensive products or simply want them because other people do — alongside Guy’s views on Swiss versus Japanese watch movements and why an accessible, interesting watch can sometimes be more appealing than having the price of a house sitting on your wrist.
And, following an off-mic conversation about a shared love of James Bond, things inevitably turn to cinema. Guy reveals his idea for creating watches inspired not by the heroes of famous films, but by the fictional organisations and villains within them — including the possibility of one day producing the ultimate Bond baddie watch.
A lively conversation about entrepreneurship, sustainable materials, watch design, storytelling, luxury and why Detrash wants you to buy one of its watches because you genuinely want a Detrash — not because it looks like something considerably more expensive.
www.menswearstyle.co.uk