17 questions to a well-dressed man – Nick Foulkes
Photo credit: Nick Foulkes
Nick Foulkes is the first person in the ‘’17 questions to a well-dressed man’’ interview series who I have interviewed over the telephone. And this is characteristic for the style of Nick Foulkes and exactly the reason why he is for me an interesting character to cover in this interview series. Nick Foulkes is a man who is radiating style, elegance, and a kind of old-world charm without being old fashioned. I think he is one of the best examples of how men can wear more jewellery and still maintain a classic and elegant appearance. Nick Foulkes wrote an impressive number of books and articles on all the topics that you most probably appreciate like; jewellery, watches, clothing, cigars, and everything that has to do with fine taste and living well. He was appointed recently as President of the ‘’Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève’’ Jury. The most prestigious trophy to win in the world of fine Horology. I hope you will enjoy reading his answers on the questions as much as I did and that you’ll be enjoying Nick Foulkes his articles and books as well. My personal favourite is ‘’Dunhil by design: A very English Story’’ which is taking you into the world of one of the world’s most exciting brands that ever existed.
What are you wearing today?
I’m wearing a seersucker which is purple and black suit made by Mariano Rubinacci in Naples.
If you had to choose to spend money either on a suit or on a watch, what would you choose?
That’s cruel question to ask. That’s my answer.
What jewellery could a man wear?
My opinion is not necessarily the opinion of the majority. I would advocate the opposite of what Coco Chanel’s saying ‘’Once you pose in front of the mirror, look at yourself and remove one piece of jewellery’’. I would say pose, look and see what you can add. I wear all kinds of jewellery apart from piercings... And that’s only because I don’t like the idea of having my skin pierced. As you can see, I wear all kinds of rings and I used to wear an immense number of bracelets. But when we went to airports in the old days it was extremely time consuming to take them off, so I cut down there to just one bracelet. I do wear a couple of necklaces though. They’re more like wearable souvenirs. And then I have a chain on which I keep my cigar cutter.
Tie or a bowtie?
Tie.
Do you remember your first jacket?
Yes. It would be a little blazer a crest on the out-breast pocket. And that would be in 1968 or 69 when I was 4 or 5 years old.
What is your favourite watch?
That is again another very cruel question. It is impossible to have another favourite watch. Especially in my position. It’s what I work in. There are watches that I favour to others, there are those that I got from my wife for example, so they’re important for me. But I’m wearing mechanical watches since I was 11 so I’ve been wearing a lot of them. It’s not a question that I can answer for those reasons.
Fountain pen or ballpoint?
Difficult! I have to say that Montegrappa makes marvellous pens and rollerballs and they’ve got a rollerball that made me actually convert to the rollerball. I love, when I’m on my desk making notes during calls, do that with a fountain pen. The feel of ink flowing on to across the page I find sort of soothing. We’re only as far as I’m aware living once and it’s nice to give even the most basic things a slice of occasion and this is what I think the fountain pen does.
Have you found the perfect garment yet?
There is no such thing as the perfect garment.
Explain your biggest passion in one sentence?
If you ask me if I can explain it, no. If you are asking what it is, without sounding to pretentious, The pursuit of beauty. Although it does sound a little pretentious.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Why do pleasures have to be guilty? I’ve given up so many things in my life, I think all my pleasures are almost sleeping. So, if you are looking to something I enjoy but what I feel guilty would be sleeping.
Who is the best dressed man in the world for you?
The Duke of Windsor knew how to dress. As did the late Mark Birley, Cary Grant and my Grandfather. And a bit further back in history Count Dorsay. He was the last of the great dandies.
The best book you ever read?
I hope I haven’t read it yet. One of my favourite books which I return to frequently is vanity fair by William Thackeray. But at the moment I’m just working through the Rougon Macquart Saga by Emile Zola and I enjoy that immensely. I think it’s going to be one of the great novelists from the 19th century. Dickens his David Copperfield is a masterpiece as well of course, for me this was just the Golden Age of the Novel.
Which city should one go shopping?
The usual ones London, Paris and Naples.
Tweed or flannel?
Tweed.
The most elegant restaurant in the world for you?
There is one called Riva, it’s the best Italian restaurant I’ve ever been to. The owner is a very elegant individual. I also love the Oswald’s Dining club in Mayfair, London.
Describe your style in three words?
Historically influenced. That’s two, I hope that’s fine as well.
Best purchase you did in the last 6 months?
Three boxes Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva cigars that I came across in a small tobacco shop in an out of the way part in Spain. It’s like finding a diamond in a dustbin!