Born in Devon (South West England), Neil Barrett took an interest in fashion from a young age. As a university post-graduate, the fashion mogul began working for top fashion house, Gucci. After five years, Barrett then landed himself a place working for Prada, where he proposed the idea of a menswear line to its own CEO Patrizio Bertelli. After just 8 months of work, Prada’s first menswear collection was born. Barrett developed Prada’s signature minimal aesthetic which merged the construction of luxurious Italian fabrics and craftsmanship with the concept of high-tech sportswear and contemporary menswear silhouettes. Barrett’s work has somewhat shaped the Prada Menswear lines ever since, a concept which Prada consistently keep within their newest designs in their approach to a consistent brand identity.

In 1999, the eponymous brand Neil Barrett was founded, which made its first catwalk debut the following year at Pitti Uomo, Florence. Known for its distinct, innovative designs, Neil Barrett specialises in creating contemporary renditions of classic menswear pieces which prioritise the use of quality fabrics and perfect construction techniques. The diversity of the brand is what makes it stand out within the current luxury market, being one which incorporates a stylish yet practical approach to both tailoring and sportswear elements within its own products. As the Neil Barrett label has grown, celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Ewan Mcgregor and Orlando Bloom have acknowledged their appreciation for the brand, and the designer even created an exclusive Neil Barrett wardrobe for Justin Timberlake for his ‘20/20 Experience Tour’.