Darcy Sullivan: Poised like a tiny sparrow on Mr. Joshua Kane’s upper lip is a miracle of moustachery. Immaculately chiselled, it recalls the rapier-like moustache Alain Delon wore as Proust’s Baron Charlus in Swann in Love. It is surprising to learn that this Mephistophelean marvel is shaped not by some perfumer’s concoction but by Clubman,… … Keep Reading
Steve Pittard: As a boy, John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley received coaching from former Essex pro Walter Meade, who was “only at his best when intoxicated, which happened to be most of the time.” At Grenham House prep school during one innings, John was perched at the non-striker’s end when a sitter came his way.… … Keep Reading
Nathaniel Adams: On April 23, 1916, five thousand spectators witnessed a bizarre match-up in Barcelona’s Monumental Bullring: the Anglo-French poet Arthur Cravan, nephew of Oscar Wilde, squared off against former World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson. They were two eccentrics, dandies of different stripes, prepared to pummel each other. Cravan had set up and advertised the… … Keep Reading
Sebastian Horsley: Dandyism is a form of self-worship which dispenses with the need to find happiness from others – especially women. It is a condition rather than a profession. It is a defence against suffering and a celebration of life. It is not fashion; it is not wealth; it is not learning; it is not… … Keep Reading
Fame is a very extraordinary thing. You can become famous for being the bodiless voice of margarine, can’t you? Could you please tell me what to ask regarding Carry On Screaming, so I avoid a cliché question. Oh, and do you mind if I smoke? [laughs] No, I would love you to smoke! Okay! What… … Keep Reading
Gustav Temple: What for you is the definition of a gentleman? A gentleman is a person who is considerate in almost all situations and usually cloaked in dignity. Can you name an example of a perfect English gentleman, living or deceased? Leslie Phillips. And his female counterpart? Helen Mirren Does the dandy still exist in… … Keep Reading
Michael “Atters” Attree: Are you experimental with your facial hair? I am now. I have attempted to in the past, but now I’ve gone for a cardigan, cherry-bun style. Do you use any facial hair accoutrements? I dye it. I use mascara. Mascara? Really? Damn. I thought that trick was a secret of my own.… … Keep Reading
Michael “Atters” Attree: Let’s start with a few warm-up questions first. What’s your favourite tipple? It’s a funny one that one…of all the questions I could answer in the world, I mean, this will bore the arse off you: I don’t drink. I love people to drink, I encourage people to drink, I think drink… … Keep Reading
Greg Dyke’s BBC dynasty annihilated TV wrestling. Was its TV demise inevitable or was there room for a newfound renaissance within the sport? After the cessation of British wrestling on ITV, the American shows exploded all over Sky television, so there was definitely scope to reinvent British wrestling. I tried to do this with a… … Keep Reading
When you first chose the name Slim Jim Phantom and became the drummer in the Stray Cats, did you realise that you’d never be able to gain weight or lose your hair? I have the same name as my father, as is the practice with the NYC Irish nobility. His nickname is Big Jim, so… … Keep Reading
You do not have to be a 1920s gangster to dress like a Peaky Blinder. Rather than risk life, limb and constantly having your pub blown up, why not saunter about the not-so-mean streets of contemporary Small Heath, or any other pleasant heath in the world, wearing the sort of togs that once caused ripples… … Keep Reading
It isn’t Howard Mitchell’s fault that he resembles Nigel Farrage a little too much for comfort. And it isn’t his fault that the most stylish location he could find was a hotel chain in Harrogate. All of this can be overlooked because he is quite certainly, from the break on his trousers to his self-tied… … Keep Reading