Neil Barrett: The Man Behind the Brand

The Gucci & Prada Years

Immediately after his graduation, Neil was recruited to work at Florentine-based Gucci where he was appointed Senior Men’s Designer – not bad for his first job out of school. Gucci taught luxury without limitations, there were no restrictions on pricing or materials.

Five years later, Neil approached Patrizio Bertelli, CEO at Prada with a proposal. In a letter, he wrote, ‘If you ever considered doing a men’s collection, I think I know what it should look like’ and eight months later Prada Menswear was born. Very organised, more American in its way of processing, Barrett names Prada as the best school in the world.

With a legion of followers across the world who share his fetish for stripped-back minimalism, clean tailoring and a wicked way with a techno fabric, it seemed only natural that Neil Barrett would move into creating his own line.

Despite offers from numerous international menswear houses, Barrett remained at Prada until the offer came in to start his own label and showed his first menswear collection in 2002.

Neil Barrett Collection

With a penchant for American sportswear staples like bomber jackets, sweatshirts and t-shirts, Neil Barrett’s purist, pared down aesthetic has drawn in a firm fan-base. With a clear eye for tailoring that relates back to the designer’s upbringing and personal taste, lines are clean, silhouettes sharp and colours monochromatic.

With innovative and distinctive designs, there’s no denying the attention to detail when it comes to fabric development and fits. A modern interpretation of timeless menswear staples sits alongside striking, streamlined designs, seamlessly breaching the gap between the classic and the contemporary. Masculine, ageless and progressive, Neil Barrett designs combine precisely-cut tailoring, accurate detailing and athletic elements – a testament the the creative’s own purist, pared-down aesthetic.