Neil Barrett

Painted Shoe

Fashion is a family affair for Neil Barrett. Both his father and grandfather were master tailors, and the designer himself started learning the trade at an early age. After graduating from Central Saint Martins with a degree in men's fashion design, Barrett went on to earn his Masters at the Royal College of Art in London. Upon graduation, Barrett accepted a design position with Gucci. From here, he moved on to become design director at Prada, where he helped launch their first line of menswear. In 1999, Barrett founded his eponymous line of menswear, a collection applauded for its unique mix of English tailoring and fine Italian craftsmanship. Barrett has since opened two stores in Japan, launched a women's line, and worked extensively with Puma, who named him creative director in 2003 for an "on pitch kit" of training and formal suits for Team Italia.