We ask Anthony Procopi, our Menswear Director about his inspiration, the best part of his job and his top picks from the current collection.

What was your first job in retail?
T.M. Lewin! I started out in the stockroom at Jermyn Street back in 1989 when that was our one and only store.

Where do you get inspiration from?
People I see out and about on the street, magazines and TV, travelling, men’s wear trade shows, history books, museums and the extensive T.M. Lewin archives.

What are the most popular selling colours/patterns of shirts at T.M. Lewin?
We’ve always sold the classic colour shirts the most – whites, blues and pinks but lilac is also really strong for us even though it’s not so popular on the high street.

What’s the best part of your job?
The team I work with and the travelling! I spend a lot of time overseas, visiting factories, looking for new factories and products, visiting our new franchise stores and going to men’s wear trade shows.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to become men’s wear buyer?

Start at the bottom, get work experience somewhere and work your way up. Don’t expect to jump straight into a buyer’s role – you need to understand the customer first which usually means starting out by working in a store.

People often confuse menswear buyers for designers – buying is numbers and business focussed more than creative.

Apart from TML what other designer/retailer do you admire the most?
I’m a big fan of Ted Baker, Paul Smith, Salvatore Ferragamo, Arthur & Fox (Paris), Habitat and Jeffrey West

What do you do when you’re not buying men’s wear?
I love travelling, eating out, watching films and spending time with family and friends.

What would you be if you weren’t a buyer?
I studied Economics at university so I’d probably have ended up in banking.

What is your proudest achievement?
Becoming Director of Men’s Wear for T.M.Lewin.

What’s your worst ever fashion mistake?
I can’t think of one! But as a men’s wear buyer, the biggest mistake you can make is to buy a collection based on what you personally like/want rather than thinking of the customer.

What was the last fashion item you purchased?
A half sleeve knitted top from Ted Baker – in fact I liked it so much I bought two, one in aqua and one in grey.

What are your top 3 items from the current T.M.Lewin collection?
I love our Wentworth Pale Grey Sharkskin two-Button Suit and the new Buckingham Slim Fit Button Cuff shirt range, in particular the Blue White Stripe with White Collar & Cuff.  I also love the John Francomb narrow navy tie (available in store).