Chichester menswear shop Dartagnan is ‘much more than a business’ to owner

• When did your love of fashion begin?

Before I went to university I was a tracksuit kid, but then something changed. My friend Nick and I would head up to London and tour all the nice shops, returning with a pair of Calvin Klein boxer shorts and some Armani socks. It spiralled from there.

• How did you make fashion your career?

I went to university, but whenever I had any spare money I came back to Chi and went into Dartagnan on East Street, as it was then, and buy clothes. After uni I did various jobs, but on November 14, 1997 – I remember it clearly – I walked into Dartagnan and saw the assistant manager’s job advertised. I knew the owners, Trevor and Michelle Shepherd, and applied. By 5pm I had done an interview and been offered the job. I was made manager within four months. One day they told me that they wanted to sell me the business. I was 25, didn’t own my own house and had no security. But I knew that it was a successful business with huge loyalty, so what did I have to lose?

• What can a chap expect from Dartagnan?

We offer designer branded fashion for men and also made-to-measure suits. Younger guys are now investing in made-to-measure. When we moved to our current location we created a room exclusively for fittings. Ultimately our USP is that we really understand what our clients want.

• Do you have regular customers?

I have customers that I count as friends. After the shop was broken into, customers offered to help clear up. The support, from some in particular, has been off the scale.

• Any tips for chaps who might be struggling with fashion?

Every man should have a navy sports jacket, a crisp white shirt, a navy crew neck jumper and navy chinos with a gently tapered leg. They can take weight off you and make you look taller. And wear the right leg length. Get them altered so they fit properly. I could take any man to M&S or Topman and transform them. I offer a personal styling service to help men find their style and their confidence. And buy some decent jeans. Denim is definitely coming back.

• Apart from great customer service, what is the secret of your success?

My staff are fantastic and my wife, Katrina, doesn’t get nearly as much credit as she deserves. She’s granite personified in her support. We’re up against so much competition with online shopping, so you have to keep reinventing yourself. Dartagnan was 50 last year. This is so much more than a business. I’ve put everything into it for over half of my life.

• How has being open again after lockdown been?

It has been amazing. To see all our loyal customers after so long has given us so much faith in what we are doing and, despite the challenges we will face, hope for the future success of the business.

More info: www.dartagnanmenswear.co.uk

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