May 2011
Part 2 of our Customer Showcase section. We introduce to you Barry Menzies (for those of you who don't know him already). Barry has been a top customer of ours for over 10 years now. We like to refer to him as Barry Jacket (He doesn't know this until now). He has a keen eye for exceptional pieces of outerwear and never passes a single season without buying at least one garment from both Stone Island and CP Company, generally more. We caught up with Barry earlier this week and had a wee chat with him on his fascination with jackets. His car would only allow for a handful of jackets to be brought in, so it was our pleasure to picture his best 5 (in no particular order) aswell as the Master Orange MA. Strum jacket he won Pre-Christmas in our competition.
nautica :
How did you get started in your jacket collection?
Barry Menzies :
It started about 11 years ago. When i bought my first CP jacket. I was hooked after that! Always getting excited about what the next season would bring, what dying techniques would be used, what sewing and stitching techniques were being used. I was amazed at how they managed and keep managing to come up with new and innovative designs.
nautica :
Can you remember what your first jacket purchase was?
Barry Menzies :
The first one of any mentionable quality was a CP mid length navy blue gore tex jacket (mentioned above).
nautica :
What would you regard as you favourite in your collection? If you can?
Barry Menzies :
That’s an easy one, the 20th anniversary Millie. By far the most iconic and sought after piece in my collection.
nautica :
Do any of the jackets hold any memories for you?
Barry Menzies :
A lot of them hold a few good memories, but none I’m willing to disclose on here!!
nautica :
Did you ever intend on having a collection to this scale?
Barry Menzies :
No, definitely not. Every time I go home with a new piece I always say “that’s the last 1 I promise”!
nautica :
Is there any jacket you wish you could add to your wardrobe?
Barry Menzies :
There’s a few vintage Belstaff jackets that I would like, but I would love a 1987 Massimo Osti designed colour changing ice jacket. This was a ground breaking and revolutionary jacket of the time and paved the way for many more beautiful and exciting designs from the great man.
nautica :
Apart from jackets what are your other guilty pleasures?
Barry Menzies :
Trainers, love a good pair of sannies!
nautica :
Who would you say is your favourite designer, or label?
Barry Menzies :
Massimo Osti for a designer, anything the man had a hand in was / is genius. But my favourite label would obviously be CP Company.
nautica :
What is your all time favourite album?
Barry Menzies :
Definitely Maybe, quintessential British rock and roll!
nautica :
What is your ideal holiday destination?
Barry Menzies :
Maldives
nautica :
What motto do you live by?
Barry Menzies :
“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today”
TOP TO BOTTOM :
Stone Island Liquid Reflective (Normal)
Stone Island Liquid Reflective (Flashed)
Stone Island Ltd. Ed. Ghost
CP Company Hand Painted Mille Miglia
CP Company Sheepskin Fur Lined Mille Miglia
CP Company Anniversary Mille Miglia By Aitor Throup
MA. Strum Sniper Jacket (Competition Prize)
September 2010
Meet John Watson. Or as we like to call him .... " 
ADIDAS JOHN ". And the pictures here clearly show why he has gained himself such a handle.
Residing just down the road from ourselves, it's been 6 years now since John's collection of adidas trainers started. What only began as an addiction to the Gazelle style, slowly began to grow into a desire with anything that had the 3 stripes on them. So much that he can now boast an envious collection of adidas trainers just short of the 100 mark, but it will only be a matter of weeks until this is a burst figure as we take in more deliveries.
We have spent alot of time with John over the years discussing adidas trainers, and as you will see, the majority of them are still unworn. Many of you will argue that this is a sacrilege to some wonderful footwear and that each and every pair should be worn. But we take our hat off to John who has resisted the temptation and has managed to preserve the original beauty of some amazing styles. Its just not the same looking at a well worn pair of trainers as it is to scan over a box fresh pair that we have not even had sight of for over 5 years.
We wanted to ask John a few questions and get his take on things. And we are sure this will make for some good reading.
nautica :
Tell us a bit about yourself John ?
adidas john :
I'm 46, living in Bathgate. Currently working as an engineer. Been married for 21 years and i never take anything too seriously.
nautica :
Apart from your trainers? That's pretty serious s**t ?
adidas john :
It's one of the things that keeps me interested by nature. I'm a nosey git, always looking to see what's around the corner. Especially when
i'm puting my orders in for next year's collections.
nautica :
So how did the adidas fascination begin ?
adidas john :
My brother collects adidas trainers so it was him that got me started, but there's no rivalry between us.
nautica :
Are you both the same size ?
adidas john :
Yeah, but I wouldn't loan him anything I have. I would never see them again. I've bought him a few pairs though.
nautica :
Do you remember having any trainers as a kid. Being a child of the 70s ?
adidas john :
It was Gola trainers and football boots when I was a kid. I never owned a pair of adidas trainers until I could buy them myself. But when I
was a kid, Gola trainers weren't so bad. There was always someone with worse trainers than you.
nautica :
What's your favourite style? Going with the pictures, I think we can hazard a guess ?
adidas john :
(Laughs) Gazelle ............
nautica :
And what's your favourite pair from your collection? A Gazelle by any chance ?
adidas john :
Probably the black and white vintage or the old pair I am wearing just now. They are red and white Gazelle's. They're falling to bits just now
though, and relegated to the dog walking duties.
nautica :
If you could have adidas make your own shoe, what would it be and what colourway ?
adidas john :
Definately a Gazelle in yellow with red stripes, black tongue and black sole.
nautica :
What trainer would you like to see re-issued ?
adidas john :
Probably the Dragon. Just so I could say I had a pair.
nautica :
It's obvious that other brands such as Nike and New Balance don't exist as far as your concerned. What is it that you don't like about them ?
adidas john :
I can't really name one particular thing, but they tend to do more of a running style which isn't really me, although I do have a few pairs of ZX.
nautica :
Would you ever consider selling any of your collection or even trading ?
adidas john :
Never. I bought them because I like them. I don't buy every pair that you get in, just the ones I like. And it's not about making money, it's about what I want to do.
nautica :
What would you consider to be your Holy Grail ?
adidas john :
An original pair of you know what from 1968. In any colour and size 9.
nautica :
John, thanks very much for your time. It's been a pleasure and we look forward to seeing your collection grow. Same time next year for an update ? :)
adidas john :
Thanks alot. It's been a pleasure and thanks to you guys at nautica for feeding my addiction. :)