J Smith Esquire Ltd

Designer name: Justin Smith, brand name J Smith Esquire and Mr Smith

Origin: Devon
 
Design background: Justin studied at London College of Fashion and completed an MA at the Royal College of Art.

Design signatures: “Innovative, technical, couture hats.”
 
Career highlight: “I have been fortunate enough to have had a number of highlights, but selling one of my pieces to the F.I.T Museum in NYC and doing a show with Stephen Jones at the V&A are definitely high on the list.”
 
How would you describe your ideal client? “A person who loves what I do, appreciates the craftsmanship and feels good in the hat. The hat is for the wearer: to adorn, to hide behind and ultimately to feel great in. People with obvious personality or style are fantastic to make hats for but I really enjoy seeing somebody a little more reserved reinvent themselves when they put one of my hats on.”
 
Trademark piece: “I think I have a number but there is always a recognisable signature, a handwriting to each of my pieces. Two favourites would be my Jane Beret and the Soho Trilby. From a technicalperspective, my trademark is a drawstring head fitting.”
 
What is your brand philosophy? “To make desirable couture hats. To keep pushing the level of what we can achieve in staying true to the craft of millinery but modern in our approach.”
 
Price range at retail: £70 - £3,000
 
Three autumn/winter 2012 inspirations: “The silhouettes of iconic screen-glamour meet the superhero and heroine.”   
 
What does 2012 hold for your brand? “To Keep Growing. Lots of very exciting things, follow me on twitter! www.twitter.com/jsmithesqhats.”
 
What is your favourite decade in fashion? “Edwardian.”
 
Where do you go in London to seek artistic inspiration? “Walking with my dog, particularly along the river or on the Heath. I love London - it inspires me every day, on so many levels.”