Czech & Speake : Q&A with Mr. Cordeaux

To celebrate the launch of the FOX x Czech & Speake Limited Edition Wash Bag Gift Set, created by The Merchant Fox in collaboration with Czech & Speake for Father’s Day 2024, Czech & Speake sat down with Fox Brothers’ managing director Douglas Cordeaux to discuss all things British craft, style and scent.

British cloth making has a long and storied history, what drew you to Fox Brothers, and how did you get involved?

"In the last fifteen years, I’ve realised that getting involved with Fox Brothers was my best ‘mistake’ ever. I was originally drawn to the history of the brand – with over 250 years of cloth making in Somerset, the county that I grew up in. The first day I walked through the doors at Fox HQ in Wellington, it was the noise of the looms, proudly weaving cloth in this country, that made my spine tingle. Then seeing the archive, which holds an unrivalled history of woollen textiles."

"Fox Brothers’ first guard book (an archive book) is dated to 1773, just one year after the foundation of Fox. It was here I discovered the first flannel, which is a heavily milled cloth invented by Fox, and older than America. Needless to say, my favourite cloth of all time is our ‘The West of England’ Grey Flannel. The quality is just so special, evocative and timeless."

Fox Brothers combines three centuries of traditional craft with pioneering technology. What values have kept the company successful for so long?

"Fox have been weaving the classics for 251 years without compromise, always using the finest of ingredients."

"To wear Fox Flannel is – in my opinion – like wearing a little piece of England."

How would you describe your personal style, and who are your inspirations?

"Since I can remember I have always dressed up, making ceremony out of daily life."

"During my lifetime, I have been through various fashions or tribes from Punk to New Romantics. I took up golf at the age of nine, purely so I could wear tartan trousers with a Tam O’Shanter – a rather strange, panelled cap for a nine year to choose."

"Then, with Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, I just adored how they would create whole look ‘tribes’ that you really could belong to. But they also had knowledge, style and respect towards tailoring."

But I really found my sartorial feet when I was at Chelsea School of Art and frequenting the Wag Club in the 80s. I was really inspired by what [multidisciplinary artist] Chris Sullivan and [painter] Christos Tolera were wearing: this wonderful tailoring. It just looked so smart and immediately I was onboard with the look.

You're a fan of the Czech & Speake Neroli fragrance. Can you tell us how you discovered Czech & Speake? And what makes Neroli so special to you?

"Neroli is a fragrance that is so evocative and uplifting. Every year, my first spray comes in the month of May, and signals the seasonal change in my wardrobe for my ‘ceremony of spring’."

"My first encounter with Neroli was at a shop in Fulham Road, South Kensington called Voyage. It was run by an inspiring, eccentric couple and, when working with them on various textile projects, noticed the gentleman of Voyage wore this very distinct fragrance."

"Eventually, I plucked up the courage to ask what fragrance he was wearing; he simply pointed to the Czech & Speake shop opposite, which lead to my first purchase of Neroli."

"That was easily over twenty years ago, and I have worn it ever since."

FOX & Czech & Speake have come together to create a limited edition wash bag gift set for Father's Day. What is it about the two brands that make them such a good match?

I’m really proud of the collaboration between two of England’s finest companies, which both have a unique charm.   

Czech and Speake and Fox Brothers hold important values, so it makes perfect sense to share them by means of this wonderful partnership. Combining cloth and fragrance for the discerning client.