20 questions with Gieves & Hawkes’ flagship store manager Jolyon Evatt Bexon
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I always feel that if my head hits the pillow and I’m out cold in under a minute then I’ve done a good day’s work. An honest day’s hard work is the answer.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
I once heard someone say: “He made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”. I think it was a cricket commentator. I don’t like cricket but the saying stuck.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2014?
Kerry Katona.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Getting a full night’s sleep. I have a 17-month old child.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Well I don’t have much wealth and I’m pretty content so I would have to say not much. Ask me in 20 years when I’m super rich.
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?
Swings and roundabouts.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“I’ll be honest with you”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I agree. I think self-support is key. Then you can ensure those around you are safe, fed and warm. It’s all about building foundations.
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?
They are very anti-social. My favourite pub is The French House where mobiles are strictly prohibited. They will literally throw you out if you persist. I like that.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Just my wife. A boring answer but she would kill me if I said the Manchester United starting XI.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Steak and Black Velvet flown in from Scott’s of Mount Street. I had this recently and made a point of telling the waiter this would be my death row meal. I’m glad there was a question relating to this so I could mention it again.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Don’t know. Google it.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
No answer.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The sophisticated kind that generally involve food and conversation. I don’t do the crazy ones these days.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mum is extremely positive. It’s a good trait to have and one I admire.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Pretty obsessed with WW2 documentaries. I seem to also have become trapped by Instagram also as I don’t get out much these days. #followme
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Spiderweb on the face is a tattoo I’ve seen a lot in South London. There is a Millwall fan I see who has a really good one. Not sure if I would get away with it in my role though.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
Don’t know what this means. The highest I suppose and painted red with “go faster stripes”.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I grew up on a bee farm in the middle of the Kent countryside far from the trappings of my career in London luxury retailing.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have a mantelpiece so I will have to say this is N/A.
Jolyon Evatt Bexon is the flagship store manager of Gieves & Hawkes at 1 Savile Row, London, W1.
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