Founded in 1977 by Michael Drake, Drake’s London has become a true British institution, renowned the world over for its quality men's accessories. The brand's original collection of scarves was soon followed by a range of English handmade ties and pocket squares, which swiftly became the heart and soul of the business. Despite prodigious international success and growth, Drake's has stayed true to its founding principles and distinctive style - crafting its ties entirely by hand in London, using the finest quality materials and working directly with fabric mills to produce exclusive custom fabrics.
Drake's Designer and Co-owner Michael Hill kindly agreed to chat to us for the latest edition of Brand Personalities, touching on the brand's history and current direction, and letting us in on the seasonal design process. As ever, we also insisted on the obligatory rundown of Michael's favourite places to visit, both in London and further afield.
Trunk: Can you tell us a little about the Drake’s philosophy?
Michael Hill: The Drake's philosophy/style begins with a refined English discrimination, has a touch of consummate French chic and a nod to the Italians for their abundant sense of style and colour. Comfortable classics, but not staid and not afraid of colour.
T: What is the story of your latest collection?
MH: It's a process with many layers that constantly evolves over the development of the seasonal offering. It involves working closely with the mills, many of whom we've worked with for thirty years, developing cloth with them, in terms of weave, colour, print, motifs etc.
It involves pulling from our extensive archives, seeing what we have there and re-designing and re-colouring favourites. Throughout the design process the team and myself are constantly checking to see what fits with what and if the whole collection sits well together, in all aspects. Also we would take a lot of influence based on our previous offerings and how our customers received them.
- Michael Hill at the Pitti Uomo trade fair in Florence. Photo by Jamie Ferguson.
T: Where do you find design inspiration each season?
MH: As mentioned before, we are mainly inspired through the developments undertaken with our suppliers regarding the fabrics they create. We also like to utilise elements each season from our Drake's archive, either in tie motifs, pocket squares or scarves. It's a way to reach back to our history and present product to a customer who is new to the brand.
T: What are you currently working on?
MH: Our biggest project at the minute would be the development of our first capsule collection of Drake's shirts, which will be sold under the label of Cleeve of London for Drake's. We are quite excited to be able to offer an English handmade shirt, which will be in-keeping with the Drake's aesthetic. Much like our current offering, we are balancing on the line between casual and formal with two styles being offered: a button down and a semi spread collar. These will be made up in a variety of fabrics such as oxford cloth and chambray. It is very exciting to be reviving and reintroducing a lovely old British shirt manufacturing business; ensuring that we are maintaining its standards of quality and manufacturing as it currently stands but enfolding it into the Drake's aesthetic, building upon it and taking it forward in its own right.
We are also currently working on our AW14 Collection, which we will be showing at Pitti in Florence early next year. Finally, we've recently launched our newly re-designed website and opened our Haberdasher Street Factory Shop at our new premises, No.3 Haberdasher Street.
T: Where do you call home?
MH: South Devon, and Haberdasher St., London.
T: What are some of your favourite local places?
MH: Rochelle Canteen at Arnold Circus, London. Labour and Wait on Redchurch Street: features simple well-crafted and useful objects that make life easier. Hales Gallery at the T Building: the owner, Paul Hedge, has a unique eye in terms of the art he shows. Finally, the coastal path from Thurlestone to Bigbury and across to Burgh Island.
T: Where is your favourite travel destination for work and/or pleasure?
MH: For work, Tokyo, specifically Daikanyamachō, a fantastic area for food, shopping and interesting wares. For pleasure, Naples, the little island of Procida, lesser known and not as developed as Capri but charming and beautiful in its own right. It's undeveloped and a little rough around the edges, but in a charming capacity.
T: What are your 5 essential items for travel?
MH:
1) Drake's Classic Spot Print Reversible Wool and Silk Scarf
2) An unlined navy jacket/blazer
3) A pair of properly made shoes, Alden Snuff Suede Longwings for example
4) A knitted tie
5) Moleskine diary/planner
A warm thank you to Michael from everyone at Trunk for taking the time to talk to us. For more from behind the scenes at Trunk, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.