20qs
Derrick Miller
07.02.12
1. Describe your look.
Vintage street dandy with a rock ‘n’ roll spirit
2. Why shoes?'
I thought it was an underserved medium. English shoes have always been the best in the world; they have also always been the most boring! I took it as a challenge that if the shoes are going to last 20 years they need to look good for 20 years, but they don't necessarily have to be dull and boring as they had been for hundreds of years!
3. What advice would you give an aspiring fashion designer?
Always keep your mind open to new ideas and new avenues. I studied marketing and photography at college in Paris.
4. It can’t be easy to get where you are, what was your one big break?
I wrote a creative letter to Ralph Lauren (the man, not the company), he liked it, called me in for an interview and hired me that day wearing my Salvation Army suit I bought for $19.99.
5. Do you have a fashion icon?
I have a few people I admire, Fred Astaire, Pharell, Lapo Elkann…I always admire people who aren't afraid to take chances with their wardrobe.
6. What wouldn’t you be caught dead wearing?
Flip-flops and a suit.
7. Can we ever expect a Barker Black women’s shoe?
At the moment we have a decent female customer base, if you are lucky enough to have size 9 or above we can fit you in one of our men's shoes… We have several female models as customers in New York.
8. What’s the one thing a person should look for when buying a high quality shoe?
I always look at the quality of the leather, if it feels wimpy and flimsy now wait until you've worn it a few times…There is just a solid feeling a shoe should have that is more an aura than one particular detail to look for. That said, any shoe with a hand-tacked design on the waist of the shoe is a quality shoe.
9. When you visit Orange County from New York, where do you like to stay and dine?
The last time I was in the OC my wife and I sequestered ourselves in a villa at the Pelican Hill Resort and absolutely LOVED it.
10. What do you do to relax?
Vintage shopping still relaxes me and I love the thrill of the hunt… I also find flying very relaxing.
11. What does Barker Black’s skull and crossbones logo mean to you?
I love that it has equal parts history, rebellion and rock ‘n’ roll
12. Will we ever see a Barker Black flip-flop?
They just came in this season espadrille flip-flops and leather bottoms next season.
13. How would you distinguish New York men’s style from Orange County/Los Angeles?
In New York people spend a lot of money trying to look rich in Los Angeles people spend a lot of money trying to look poor/disheveled.
14. How has becoming a dad changed you?
I take a lot more time for my family these days, which I think has mellowed me out.
15. Favorite vacation spot?
Hotel du Cap. Hands down.
16. Favorite drink?
Mojito and Pol Roger Champagne.
17. What can’t you live without?
My girls (wife Jennifer and daughter Tallulah).
18. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
Film director or fashion photographer.
19. Home is New York City for you. Can you suggest a place for our readers to go next time we’re out there?
I love Peels, great classic American food, nice atmosphere and home made graham crackers (seriously if you haven't had a home made one, you've never actually eaten a graham cracker).
20. What’s next on your list of things to do?
One of my new favorites! It’s bath night for Tallulah.
Shop OC
Bespoke Shoes
07.02.12
A modern gentlemen addicted to style will want to look sharp. And what better way than to sport shoes with hand embroidery, Goodyear welting, and a crown on the vamp of a classic loafer, rather than a penny. For bench-made shoes with an attitude, the go to luxe brand is Barker Black. We just met up with designer Derrick Miller at Barker Black’s Los Angeles store on Robertson Boulevard, who gave us a personal tour through the collection, and also gave us some fun facts. He told us to go to Scoops for artisan ice cream; Mr. C Hotel and its Cipriani’s restaurant in Beverly Hills is his favorite respite, and he wore a $19 thrift store suit to meet Ralph Lauren, and even got the job designing ties based on his style. Lauren loved the suit.
In 2005, Miller took an iconic British brand, Barker Shoes established in 1880, and retooled it to include Barker Black, luxury footwear with a slight subversive edge, hence the skull and crossbones logo, as well as a line of ties from a ninth generation silk weaver, bow ties, braces, scarves and pocket squares. The entire Barker Black line exudes quality and hand craftsmanship that the English are known for. Each pair of shoes spends weeks on the last before being finished by hand, and undergoes 200 hand operations.
Brad Pitt relies on Miller to create custom motorcycle boots, Iman shops in the NY store (presumably for David Bowie) and Eric Dane wears Barker Black loafers. Whether you’re a price conscious young man who appreciates fine shoes but must put shoes on lay away, or a man who can order a custom pair of shoes for $10,000, Barker Black can take care of you. The collection includes Death and Glory slippers, boots, lace-ups, loafers, moccasins, and must-have fashion forward orange and green sneakers. All shoes can be custom designed.
Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 450 North Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. 310.358.0293. [url=http://www.barkerblack.com ]http://www.barkerblack.com [/url];
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