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.

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.

In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, Peter Brooker sits down with Nick Reed, founder of sustainable menswear brand Neem London, to discuss the launch of the brand's Spring/Summer 2026 collection and the thinking behind its latest campaign, The Uniform of Hot Dads.
As Neem opens its permanent flagship store on London's Lamb's Conduit Street, Nick explains why the brand is focusing on an often-overlooked menswear audience: men aged 40 to 60. Drawing on research from more than 400 men, the campaign explores how today's midlife consumer is redefining style, prioritising comfort, versatility and confidence over fleeting trends.
We discuss the evolution of "dad style," why so many men feel underserved by the fashion industry, and how Neem is creating clothing that reflects real life rather than runway aspirations. Nick also shares insights into the SS26 collection, featuring recycled cotton overshirts, relaxed tailoring, non-iron shirts, organic cotton trousers and other low-impact essentials designed to move effortlessly between work, family life, travel and downtime.
The conversation also covers sustainability, responsible manufacturing, the growing appeal of independent brands, and Neem's Wear-Well Take Back programme, which helps keep unwanted clothing out of landfill.
Whether you're interested in menswear, sustainable fashion, entrepreneurship or how men's style evolves with age, this episode offers a thoughtful look at a changing landscape and the opportunities emerging within it.

In this Menswear Style Podcast episode, Peter Brooker sits down with Guray Kesman, founder of Kesman Male Grooming — one of London’s most respected names in modern barbering and men’s grooming, with premium London locations in Farringdon and Buckingham Palace Road.
With nearly two decades of experience, Guray has built a brand that goes far beyond the traditional barbershop experience. At Kesman Male Grooming, every service begins with an in-depth consultation focused on face shape, hair type, lifestyle and personal style, creating a completely bespoke grooming experience tailored to the individual.
We discuss how grooming impacts confidence, identity and self-expression, why modern men are moving away from trend-led haircuts, and the psychology behind finding a style that genuinely suits you. Guray also shares insights into textured cuts, movement-led hairstyles, the evolution of male grooming culture, and how he built a British GQ-recognised grooming brand trusted by professionals, athletes, creatives and public figures across London.
From barber to entrepreneur and industry authority, Guray explains why today’s grooming experience is about much more than a haircut — it’s about helping men feel confident in every part of life.
If you’re interested in men’s style, grooming, confidence, entrepreneurship or the future of modern barbering, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, we sit down with Guy Blaskey, Founder of Detrash — a brand on a mission to shake up the watch industry.
After selling his first business in 2023, Guy took a step back to explore his long-standing passion for watches. What he discovered surprised him: while most industries are moving toward sustainability and purpose, the watch world has largely stood still. Outside of ultra-expensive, often inaccessible pieces — some reaching over £1 million — innovation and ethical thinking seemed noticeably absent.
Detrash was born to challenge that.
More than just a watch brand, Detrash is a passion project rooted in the belief that business can be a force for good. As the first European watch company to join 1% for the Planet, Detrash commits at least 1% of every sale — not just profit — to environmental causes, currently supporting Surfers Against Sewage.
Guy shares how the brand is championing alternative materials, from #tide recycled ocean plastic and 80% recycled steel to fashion industry offcuts, proving that sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on design. At its core, Detrash aims to redefine value — showing that “trash” can be transformed into something truly beautiful.
Because, as Guy puts it: what’s the point of recycling if we don’t value what’s made from it?