Mr Alex Bilmes

Fast Facts

  • Shirt: Emma Willis
  • Trousers: Acne chinos
  • Jeans: A.P.C.
  • Shoes: Tricker's brogues
  • Bag: Mulberry satchel

Biography

Formerly features director at GQ and contributing editor at British Vogue, Mr Bilmes is editor of UK Esquire. www.esquire.co.uk

Mr Bilmes's Recommendations

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT AND DISH

“I'm a cheap date and I'm obvious. In-N-Out Burger – the Double-Double. Brasserie Lipp – steak tartare. Katz's Delicatessen - half pastrami sandwich, half matzo ball soup. And my local pleasure palace (just five minutes walk from the MR PORTER offices) – the The Raj of India, Shepherd's Bush Road, London – chicken madras, plain rice, chappati, Cobra beer. "Very good, Mr Alex. Ready in 15."”

BEST BAR

“I like the Hix Fix at Hix, Soho, London.”
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VACATION CHOICE

“California, because it's a very long way from home”

TOP CITY

“London. It's home.”
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FAVOURITE HOTEL

“Aman-i-Khás in Rajasthan. I had an encounter with a tiger here. And you can't say that about the W Leicester Square.”

TYPE OF BAG

“A battered Mulberry satchel.”
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FAVOURED BRAND

“That would be invidious, and potentially professionally compromising.”
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ESSENTIAL WARDROBE ITEM

“Currently, my blue Barbour Bedale. It works well against a grey sky, which is essential where I live. And I was wearing it before everyone in Shoreditch started dressing like Highland gillies.”

MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

“Danielle Radojcin. I'm biased, but she really is a knockout.”

STYLE ICON

“Gay Talese. He proves that not all magazine hacks are sartorial slouches (just most of us).”

STYLE TIP

“Boxers first, then socks, then shirt, then trousers, then shoes, then tie, then jacket, then hankie. Any other order is weird.”

TAILOR

“Cheap walk-up tailor on Kingly Street, Soho, London.”
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BEST SHIRT BRAND

“ Ralph Lauren Purple Label .”
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FAVOURITE SUIT

“Gieves & Hawkes, Richard James and Rake. Also recently acquired a Dolce & Gabbana pinstripe that I can't take off (not literally, I just don't want to).”

CUT OF TROUSERS

“I bought some Acne chinos in a sale in the summer and they are perfect. Except in January.”
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JEANS BRAND

“ A.P.C. ”
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UNDERWEAR CHOICE

“Recently, J.Crew .”
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PREFERRED JACKET STYLE

“Single breasted, one button, peaked lapel, vents.”

SHOE MAKER

“Tricker's brogues, Superga sneakers.”

FAVOURITE GROOMING PRODUCT

“Clinique M shave aloe gel - great packaging, good price and it works.”

DREAM CAR

“1985 Ferrari 412 GT. I don't care what anyone thinks. I think it's beautiful.”
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WATCH BRAND

“Panerai Luminor Marina.”

ESSENTIAL GADGET

“BlackBerry.”

BEST BOOK

“Lolita by Nabokov. Why? Because it is a work of terrifying genius.”

FAVOURITE ALBUM

“Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan. I mean, when you've loved and lost the way Bob has...”

Brands Favoured by Mr Bilmes