Fittingly, Julia Simpson Orlebar is on the beach when Creative Profiles first endeavours to speak with her about Orlebar Brown's stylish collection of men's swim shorts. Julia is taking a break in Greece after a busy year that saw the company, which she co-founded with photographer Adam Brown, launch their range of beachwear to instant critical acclaim.
And why the praise? Because with Orlebar Brown's beach and swim shorts men finally have something to wear on holiday that doesn't make them look, not to put too fine a point on it, Stupid.
'Adam went to a 40th birthday party in India a few years ago,' explains Julia, 'and came back talking of how all the men looked pretty ghastly round the pool. We felt there needed to be something more for than shorts that are essentially boxer shorts with a draw string, or those big surf shorts with a dragon's breath print down them that 16-20 year olds might like, or shorts the make you look like Tony Blair in those famous paparazzi shots.'
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Martin Bewick's interview continues ...
Given the first few months' sales from Orlebar Brown's website, it seems that many other men have been feeling the same. 'And wives too,' says Julia. 'We've had a lot of women buying for men and men commenting that now their partners won't put up with them wearing anything else. I suppose our market is men in their thirties, but older and younger people have been buying our shorts, too. Men are conscious about how they look on holiday. They don't want big logos or patterns over everything, they want to look good.'
Stylish and understated, Orlebar Brown's shorts will be a welcome addition to many a man's holiday wardrobe. 'I think they look equally good in he pool, on the beach or at the bar,' says Julia. 'I've even got a pair myself that I pull on over a swimsuit. We spent a lot of time in development getting sample after sample made, sourcing the right materials, making sure they were quick-dry. Making them just right.'
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