AYU Partner Spotlight: Ottaway Style
We are proud to introduce our latest perk partner, Ottaway Style, headed up by Joe Ottaway. With clients from the worlds of finance, business, international sport, and entertainment, Joe is a leading men’s fashion stylist and image consultant within the British menswear industry.
We sat down with him to discuss the importance of menswear styling.
Hi Joe, tell us about Ottaway Style?
Ottaway Style has over 20 years of luxury styling experience and has offered bespoke and personalised style consultancy and personal shopping services for the past 15 years. With clients from the world of finance, international sport, and entertainment, Ottaway Style has carved out a reputation as one of the leading men's fashion stylists and image consultants within the British menswear industry. Notable clients include David Gandy, Jamie Rednap, David Beckham and Frank Lampard.
With the rise of and popularity of online shopping, accessing personalised and tailored fashion advice has become increasingly challenging in a world flooded with content. Ottaway Style believes the modern man wants to feel confident, dress well, and look sharp, but doesn’t always have the time to dedicate to perfecting his style. Ottaway Style is a destination for a modern man to shop effortlessly and with confidence. In a world of Zoom meetings and a move towards online in all aspects of life, Ottaway Style's main aim is to personalise online shopping and use industry knowledge to take the confusion out of it. I want to elevate my clients’ style to the extraordinary, with minimum effort, and all at the click of a button.
Ottaway Style offers an online curated edit of menswear best in class. The edit is tailored from a selection of brand partners which include emerging and independent brands, the best of British, industry leaders from the world of menswear, and luxury global shopping destinations. All bases will be covered for the modern man to curate a fully informed wardrobe, using the Ottaway style upgrade your style in 3 minutes online service. Ottaway Style solves the problem of navigating the world of online shopping by giving gents one easy platform to shop from, that tailors products specifically to an individual. In just three minutes, you receive a bespoke style edit, based on your lifestyle, body shape, and personal style.
Why do you feel menswear styling is so important?
The act of shopping has never been easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily more efficient. A seemingly endless plethora of online services, and shopping destinations that offer — same-day delivery, click-and-collect, buy-now-pay-later, daily newsletters, single-click purchase — have turned the sometimes mundane task of buying into a click-happy, cardboard-boxed breeze. Yet despite that, finding clothes that fit you correctly, and suit your personal style, is still challenging.
Since the start of my career as a men’s Image Consultant, I have seen so many changes in the industry. In the early days, it wasn’t so common for guys to use image consultants. Fast forward to today, and it’s as commonplace for a gent to have a personal shopper on speed dial as it is to have a personal trainer or a hairdresser. There has been an incredible shift in the last decade. Times have changed and men now have a less complex relationship with dressing, men now are far more open and comfortable to embrace how powerful looking stylish is. The style reflects who you are, your attitude and your personality. Once you find your own style, it is the most powerful feeling, it's you at your very best. In a world now that is full of competition, style helps create your own unique personal brand, style creates a powerful perception and positive self-image, who doesn't want to walk in a room and make a positive statement. When you look great you feel great. Style helps you achieve your goals in both your professional and personal life.
How has covid affected the menswear market?
The COVID 19 pandemic has had a colossal effect on almost every industry, whether that be unprecedented pressure on health services, non-essential businesses shuttering, or supermarkets needing to consider their re-stocking tactics and opening hours. And so it follows that the fashion industry has also been experiencing the effects of a global health crisis. The fashion industry is both a creative mecca and one of the world's most significant fiscal heavyweights. The industry has had a serious impact on the global economy, not to mention the furloughing or unemployment status of millions of artists, and designers. Despite the industry taking a noticeable hit, with every store shut here in the UK and a similar story happening in other major cities across the globe. As a result of such a devastating impact on our health, industry and economy, some of the biggest men's household fashion names and brands from across the world have come together and have made major donors help fund the fight against the virus. The Armani Group announced at the height of COVID that all of its manufacturing plants will switch from luxury goods creation to making single-use medical overalls. This follows on from Giorgio Armani's initial donation of €2 million to the National Civil Protection Department and Istituto Dei Tumori hospitals in Milan, as well as donating to hospitals in the Tuscany region. Since COVID restrictions people want to return to some the normality, with traveling and returning to normal social life at the top of everyone's list, this return to normality is hopefully going to help not only the menswear market but the whole economy.
Who are your go-to designers or brands?
My go-to brands are always classic and timeless in style, I feel very passionate about supporting and celebrating the best of British brands which are normally the likes of John Smedley, Thom Sweeney, and Sunspel. As a stylist, I also feel it’s important to be aware of new and up-and-coming brands, so I also work with a wide range of exciting Global brands like P Johnson, Uncle Judes, and Kit Blake.
Who would be your dream person to dress, and for what event?
I think Prince Charles is one of the most elegant and best-dressed men, Always sharply dressed, his timeless style has ridden the waves of changing fashions faultlessly and has pulled off everything from salopettes onesies to wetsuits, morning suits to silk shirts and chinos. Charles ffamously prefers to repair and reuse items in his wardrobe and says he cares about "detail and color combinations" The secret is in the tailoring, of course. Charles is a loyal client of Anderson & Sheppard, the most classic of Savile Row tailors and I have always dreamt of working with him and the Royal family. Any event would be a pleasure to work with the Prince, just the privilege to dress Prince Charles would be enough
Where do you celebrate?
If there is an occasion to celebrate, I really like to go to Soho House. It is a perfect place to chill with friends from the day to evening, the music, food, and company is always great.
AYU members currently receive 20% off personal styling and shopping services with Ottaway Style