Time To Read: 4 Minutes

Ian Paley of Garbstore has decades of experience working with fashion’s finest designers including Paul Smith and Burberry. He’s the man behind Couverture & Garbstore, West London’s leading independent British menswear store long championing emerging, independent brands with a story to tell. The boutique, nestled in a converted period townhouse in Notting Hill, focuses on craftmanship and functionality similar to our own ethos. Here, he caught up with us ahead of the PWVC x Garbstore launch to discuss design influences, staying humble and his highlights from our latest capsule collection.

Tell us about Garbstore, how would you describe the brand, your vision and future?

We are set in our ways, and we keep doing what we have been doing for many years. The future is always more of the same, it’s what we know and what makes us happy. Sometimes you can stand out by being selfish. As a retailer, we don’t tend to buy into trends or fads – our point of view is that we stock designers and labels that have a genuine story, sometimes they’re a bit off-beat but that’s the type of character we like here at Garbstore.

Can you tell us a bit about your background in menswear, fashion and design?

So, I studied menswear design at university and that’s where I learned how to pattern cut and sew and how to construct and make things. My family has a background in the arts in both textile and graphic design, so I think it was always predestined to go into the creative industries in some form, coupled with working at my father’s electronics factory in the summers. It was a nice introduction to the love of making things.

What made you go into the industry?

A genuine love of clothing and how things get made. I suppose working part time in factories to earn money for university helped me appreciate the balance and just how many people it takes to produce something real that can people hold and wear.

What have been the most important things you’ve learnt during that time; from your early days to more recently?

Be nice to everyone, often it’s the person who makes the tea that can sway the opinion of an individual. Always be respectful and never carry an ego, it has no place. Good deeds always have a way of coming back and saying thank you. Karma can be slow sometimes, but always comes through. When I started my career, I listened to the advice I was given. Learn from mistakes and move forward.

I believe you have had a major success over the years, what have been your highlights?

The highlight is all of it, still working with people who were there on day one. Never really having to adjust or change what I do, that’s the real highlight. Sure, it’s fun to see celebrities and people you admire wearing your gear or shopping in our store, but we have some great customers and it’s the ones not interested in fashion that I really love!

Tell us about Garbstore, how would you describe the brand, your vision and future?

We are set in our ways, and we keep doing what we have been doing for many years. The future is always more of the same, it’s what we know and what makes us happy. Sometimes you can stand out by being selfish. As a retailer, we don’t tend to buy into trends or fads – our point of view is that we stock designers and labels that have a genuine story, sometimes they’re a bit off-beat but that’s the type of character we like here at Garbstore.

How did this partnership come about?

It has been something we have wanted to do for a while as we have a long-lasting relationship with the factory for so many years. It was Mike who was showing me some old pictures of him in the early days back when the business was called Drizzle so that really inspired me to think about a product.

Can you explain the link you have to working here and Drizzle Ltd?

The first products I made were for a very old brand Called R.Newbold, a part of Paul Smith’s stable of brands from the 90’s. Mike and I have been friends ever since. It was nice to include Drizzle in the collection as a subtle nod to the relationship.

What makes our capsule and The Garbstore Drizzle Mac so special?

I really admire the idea of ‘added functionality’ without really changing the classic nature of something. It was fun to create a classic gentlemen’s mac and re-cut the fit and add in the extra elements to increase the functionality of a timeless classic design, whilst also adding a subtle modern edge to it.

What are the most important design features?

The lumber support provided by the carbon umbrella storage in the back of the jacket. We worked with a Japanese umbrella accompany to make a super lightweight carbon stem umbrella that is micro sized to be unnoticeable when worn, but the right shape to provide a bit of support when seated on public transport.

How do you feel about the importance of making products in Britain?

Of course, it's super important, especially now that we have the slightly bizarre prospect of deglobalization facing us.

Outside of work how do you unwind/what do you do in your spare time?

Travel normally makes up my non-office time. Although the last few years have been challenging in that regard. I moved to Paris about 6 months before Covid hit, so I still had a bit of discovery to keep me occupied. In the UK I try to spend as much time away from regular weekly things as possible so heading to the countryside and fiddling about with old cars and reading is always great to unwind.

I miss French Bread and cheese, sure London has enough choice, but it really is not the same. I preferred the French way of shopping locally from specialist vendors, not the American convenience of everything in one place. I eat a lot of Japanese food and have amazing places within walking distance of my house.

Where do you live currently?

I live in London again, after moving back from Paris. So, neither really feels like home.

Nothing influences one's own perspective on culture like travel. I try to live by something the Amazing Clive James once said: ‘Be a local wherever you are’.

How would you describe yourself?

A local!

The PWVC x Garbstore Drizzle capsule is now available on privatewhitevc.com and couvertureandthegarbstore.com