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This week Aleks sits down with Paul Simons, co-owner of the iconic Ivy League style destination, John Simons on Chiltern Street in Marylebone. In the ‘60s, John was the ‘OG’ importer and populariser of the American Ivy League look in the UK and over the past five decades or so, John Simons has built up a cult following as a preppy menswear destination.

Today, Paul manages the business day-to-day, and we sat down together to hear the brand’s story from the horses’s mouth. We chat about John’s early years in business and the significance of the Ivy look, Paul’s experience of growing up as an ‘Ivy kid’ and we explore the cultural differences between American and English Ivy style too.

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HandCut Radio is produced by Birch, the London based creative office of James Allen. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.

This episode is produced in partnership with Portman Marylebone, an elegant central London retail destination that is home to many of the city’s most characterful restaurants, galleries and independent fashion brands. Portman Marylebone has been meticulously maintained by the Portman Estate for just under 500 years.

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Show Notes:
John Simons — Instagram | Website
Portman Marylebone — Instagram | Website

[05:40] Lee Morgan on Spotify
[07:58] And So Farewell, The Ivy Shop (article)
[10:36] John Simons, A Modernist (film)
[10:44] Jason Jules
[11:00] Paul Weller
[13:10] ‘The Knowledge’ of London
[14:07] Cadenhead’s (whisky shop), Chiltern Street
[15:25] Docksides
[15:30] Russell Athletic
[16:27] Paraboot
[16:40] Steely Dan
[21:28] Kevin Rowland
[21:53] The man who dressed the mods (article)
[23:48] Swiss M70 Came Military Jacket
[31:09] Harrington Jacket (Baracuta G9)
[32:15] Ryan O’Neil
[33:00] Carhartt