Lockdown Lessons: Oliver Spencer

Getting bored of lockdown yet? Us too. And so are some of our favourite designers, artists and creatives. So who better, we thought, to steer us on the best ways to keep ourselves entertained in this time of forced isolation? First up, leading British menswear designer Oliver Spencer.

First thought in the morning?

Make my wife a cup of tea.

What one thing is keeping you sane?

My garden.

What is your go-to WFH 'fit?

Oliver Spencer loungewear all day!

View full post on Instagram

And how would you describe the look?

Envy-inducing comfort that never looks slouchy or lazy. Just as good at the farm shop as it is around the house.

What skill have you discovered that you never knew you had?

Patience. Endless supply of the stuff, just needed to be reminded where I’d stored it.

What show have you binged on?

Succession.

Did Carol Baskin feed her husband to the lions?

I have no idea what you’re talking about!

What does your workout look like now?

It mostly involves good ol’ fashioned yard work, like digging up pathways and hacking off dead limbs from trees.

Where are you finding inspiration?

Isle of Wight, where I’m currently holed up. I sometimes forget how peaceful it is here.

Who is your isolation style icon?

Bryan Ferry.

Do you wear slippers around the house?

Yes. I’ve stood on too many Lego bricks to make that mistake again.

What is your WFH desk essential?

With three boys in the house, I’m lucky if I can even see the desk amid their chaos.

How do you beat procrastination?

I’ve finely tuned a base level of anxiety (most business owners will understand) that serves as a fine antidote to procrastination.

What do you cook most?

Hearty Sunday lunches.

And what restaurant will you go to first when you can?

The Black Radish in Wimbledon. The Cornish gurnard in squid ink sauce has me salivating.

Is your hair OK, or would you rather not talk about it?

Better in a hat.

What do you miss most from the outside world?

The everyday laughs with mates and colleagues. You can’t replicate that on a Zoom call.

What is your snack of choice?

I’m more of an opportunistic pillager. Needs must.

What album is getting you through?

Ry Cooder – Paris, Texas. Throughout most periods of hardship, people have been known to look backwards for inspiration and I thoroughly enjoyed dusting this one off again.

View full post on Youtube

And what books have you turned to?

Why Materials Matter; Responsible Design for a Better World

Why Materials Matter; Responsible Design for a Better World

Now 25% Off

£34 at Amazon

I was lucky to receive a copy of Why Materials Matter by Seetal Solanki. It looks at how scientists, designers and artists are using materials that make up the world we live in today, to help make tomorrow a cleaner and safer environment. My favourite is an Italian farm that produce Grana Padano cheese – its cows produce 30,000 litres of milk per day and 100,000 kg of shit! They not only use the cow dung to fertilise their fields but they have also developed methods to transform the excess shit into a raw material for plaster and bricks.

Where in the world would you most like to be self-isolating?

I’m happy where I am, on the Isle of Wight – I have everything I need here with me.

What do you drink at cocktail hour?

A Black Velvet. Guinness and a bit of English Sparkling – a bit of rough with the smooth.

And what time is cocktail hour?

When the sun is past the yard arm.

What is your light at the end of the tunnel?

Hardships and setbacks always yield opportunities.

What is the best thing on YouTube?

Youtube? Tiktok’s where it’s at. (I honestly have no idea).

What is the meaning of life?

Give out more love, kindness, and empathy than you absorb – that might not be the meaning of life, but it will give you a meaningful life.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more delivered straight to your inbox

SIGN UP

Need some positivity right now? Subscribe to Esquire now for a hit of style, fitness, culture and advice from the experts

SUBSCRIBE