Trevor Pickett: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks luxury goods guru and retailer Trevor Pickett: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Strong women, Amazonian women.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

My work is my pleasure, my pleasure is my life .

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2015?

Bad manners in the sense of common courtesy. For example, the lack of thanking someone for someone pulling up to a zebra crossing to let you cross the road, or someone opening a door for you and you just barging through, without acknowledging the gesture.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Mrs Thatcher: Not for policies but for determination.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Don’t ever do wealth. I prefer happiness, though contentment is dull.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

It’s been hard on lots of us, but being inventive makes you survive. “Necessity is mother of invention”.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Nice” is a get out clause – like vanilla ice cream without vanilla pods, essence let alone flavouring.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

All charities are worthy. Choose a charity on the effectiveness of the organiser and their ability to convert your help (financial or in kind) to income, with minimal fuss and maximum benefit to the recipients. Avoid large charities. There are smaller charities doing similar work and are more efficient and cost effective. I am proud to support Battersea Dogs and Cats Home as well as Ormiston Families.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

It is completely inexcusable to use devices at the theatre. It is only acceptable to use phones at the table if there is a need to find out information on the web that is of mutual benefit to the party.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Anyone who is interesting or interests me. It is preferable if none of them know each other at that always makes for a better party.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Roast chicken, crushed potatoes loads of butter and peas. Malden salt and of course ground pepper would be essential also.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

If you want a drink, it’s always noon somewhere in the world so call a friend. On Sunday or on a hunt day, it’s 11am.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini, straight up with a twist. Preferably at Rogano’s in Glasgow.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Friends’ private parties as they’re not pretentious.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Tom Croxon, his show always goes on.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

The Only Way Is Essex.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A centaur.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A 411 Bristol.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I am a straight man trapped in a gay man’s body.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Too many items of object d’art.

An eccentric Mayfair gentleman, Trevor Pickett launched his eponymous brand in 1988 and has experience of the retail industry spanning more than three decades. A true creative with a keen eye for style and design, he has always possessed an unparalleled sense of how to maintain a loyalty to tradition and heritage, whilst continuing to be inventive and push certain boundaries to keep his market intrigued. After almost 35 years historic years in the Burlington Arcade, Trevor Pickett has made his momentous move to 10-12 Burlington Gardens, at the bottom of Savile Row.

Follow Pickett on Twitter at @PickettLondon.

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