Atlas of Fashion Designers

Neil Barrett

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469

Neil Barrett

Neil Barrett’s creations possess a special charisma. His refi ned, waisted suits fi t like a glove,

granting the person wearing them a rakishly elegant rebelliousness, a complex equilibrium

arrived at thanks to the skillfulness of a designer brimming with talent.

Neil ranks among the most intriguing fashion designers on the current scene. He studied

at Central Saint Martins and cut his teeth at some of the best labels in the business. He was

fi rst tapped by Gucci to design their men’s line, a position he held until 1994. At that time,

he began working as the creative director of Prada’s men’s line.

Neil’s connection to this fi rm translated into a doubling of sales between 1994 and 1995,

as well as the certainty, for Neil, that he possessed the requisite talent and charisma to suc-

cessfully move his fi rm forward. To that end, Neil presented his own men’s collection in

1999, to which, years later, he added the women’s collection that he presents every year at

Milan Fashion Week. On top of this, the collaboration with Puma and the long waiting list

of actors and musicians anxious for Neil to dress them.

It is likely that his success resides in an exact combination of elegant designs and street

wear. All of his garments are easy to wear, endowed with a versatility that makes them ap-

propriate for any occasion, with a strong dose of avant-garde added to the mix.

 ese qualities have made Neil one of the most observed designers of the moment, cul-

tivating his vision one step ahead of fashion trends. And in the world of fashion, this is

priceless.

Photography courtesy of Neil Barrett

470

Neil Barrett

Above, designer specifi cations for the

shirt worn by the model on the right.

In a sleight of hand, the designer

fashions back pockets and front pleats

on the shirt.

Sketch courtesy of Neil Barrett

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Neil Barrett

Photographs courtesy of Neil Barrett

472

Neil Barrett

- What inspires you?

Inspiration for me comes throughout the day and night, when you specifi cally look for it or when you least expect it,

by allowing your senses to be inspired by any object, situation or mood and then following your fi rst instinct.

- What is your dream as a designer?

To continue to increase the frequency with which I see people for whom I have personal esteem for their talent in their

chosen careers, wearing Neil Barrett.

- What has been the most important achievement of your career?

After just eight years since my fi rst collection, hitting 65 million euros worth of retail sales in 2007 has been a milestone

for me as an independent designer, without advertising or PR, without a fi nancial or production backer, which shows

that people have bought for the clothes’ sake and not for a hyped PR brand.

- How important are trends?

I believe in following my instinct. In the end, a trend for me is when you feel strongly for some element of design or

styling, and this is picked up by the stylist, journalists or buyers. For this reason, trends are relative. It really depends on

individual taste and not a general consensus.

- Fashion has always refl ected a certain era. What does fashion refl ect in the twenty-fi rst century?

 e world is a smaller place today, through media and travel accessibility. Infl uences from the world over are present in

today’s wardrobe. I believe it’s acknowledging both the past and present and combining them through a futuristic fi lter

that will refl ect what is new in this century.

- What book would you recommend to every fashion designer?

Citizens of the Twentieth Century, by August Sander.

Neil Barrett

Via Savona, 97

20144 Milan

Italy

www.neilbarrett.com

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Neil Barrett

Photographs and sketch courtesy of Neil Barrett