For years, when America had J Press, Brooks Brothers and Paul Stuart all we had in the UK was John Simons. No one was complaining however; what you can't get from that one store on an Ivy tip isn't even worth thinking about. Simons has a sense of style and an understanding of menswear so unique and directional I suspect he could make Ralph stand back in awe.
Imagine my surprise and excitement therefore when he told me today that he was in the process of designing his own line of menswear. It's still early days, he said. The idea's are endless, but I'm starting small, just one item and planning to grow from there.
That one item is an amazing pair of chino's. They're neat, understated and considered; with the reductionist eye of a true modern, Simons' design combines subtle influences of military dress, traditional work-wear and American Ivy - all in one understated, forward-facing piece of clothing.
We're still thinking about brand names; but the first ones should be ready in six to eight weeks, he said.
See you there.
J.Simons,
2 Russell Street, Covent Garden,
London WC2, 0207 379 7353
