Name: Dominic Whiteland

Role:

I’m the Manager of the Covent Garden Store,  making sure the store runs smoothly and the range is well presented and most importantly, ensuring that our customers are happy! I’m helped by different departments from merchandising to marketing, so it all adds up to be a very varied and dynamic role.

Describe your style:

Part of the Inspiration for this seasons range has come from Dog town and Z boys which really appeals to an old skateboarder like me! When/ if the sun comes out I’ll be picking up the Offset Plaid Shirt in white to wear with a pair our dark sand chinos.

I’m also into vintage American sports wear, my favourite piece from this season so far has been the badge crew neck sweater in mid grey marl. I love the authentic detailing and its versatility; it can be paired with almost any colour.

How do you spend your free time:

I spend a lot of time making music on my laptop, trying very hard to emulate Jamie XX or Prefuse 73 (unsuccessfully!). I also enjoy browsing round vintage shops and museums which are great for finding visual inspiration.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a career managing a flagship store?

Good communication skills are a must. Being passionate and knowledgeable about the product that you are selling is also essential. Fashion blogs are a great place to read up on the latest trends.

Try and get as much experience as possible, I started off doing Saturdays in my local record shop when I was 14, which feels like a long time ago!

Beyond the shop floor quite a wide skills base is required, including some maths. You’ll definitely need to be adaptable and prepared for what ever new challenge appears.

Name: JP

Role:

I am a Strategist for Lyle and Scott. In a nutshell, I try to ensure that there is longevity in the brand image for many years to come! I basically balance my time between analysing how we can internally work better, yet at the same time looking at the broader market for opportunities.

At  the moment my energy is focused around an international brand strategy, which has involved me travelling to Tokyo quite regularly.  Without a doubt my role is very diverse and always interesting.

Describe your style:

Probably best described as simple and contemporary – most of my favourite brands are Scandinavian or French. My wardrobe is full of basics in mostly shades of white, grey and black – although I do branch out into ‘colours’ every now and again! Mustard yellow is a current favourite shade so I’ll definitely be rocking the block stripe swim shorts this summer.

How do you spend your free time:

I’m obsessed with coffee so I am almost certain to be at a local (East London) coffee shop on the weekends. That’s often followed with a trip to the pub to watch the football (Tottenham all the way!). When I get time off work, I’m usually travelling to somewhere with snow or sun.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a career in Strategy:

A diverse grounding in business is a must. I started my career in economics, before moving on to business consulting – the exposure to how different businesses work is invaluable.