HS: What were your primary outlets for learning about new stuff growing up?
NB: South Africa didn't get TV until 1976...the year I left for the UK so the only way I picked up on influences was through music. I read every credit on every album cover I ever bought to see who wrote, produced and played on the tracks. I really knew my music but not much else.
HS: Did you follow the 20/20 World Cup?
NB: Not really, I like Cricket and will check Sky Sports News to see what's up but I'm a big fan of the English Premier Soccer League so I have my hands full just tracking all of that.
HS: Did your interest in Football open your eyes to sportswear at all?
NB: When I was studying in the UK I was big into football but not as a clothing statement. At that time I was designing only womenswear......I was a menswear designer but I just didn't know it yet.
HS: Best/Worst kits in your memory?
NB: Best kit is 2006 French World Cup strip with Zidane #10 on the back. Worst kit is 2006 Italian World Cup kit with Materazzi #23 on the back.
HS: Do you have any thoughts on Umbro's new tailored range for England?
NB: Really like it. It's clean and simple, and I especially like the small tailored collar on the jersey.
HS: Why is it that cricket has not inspired much "streetwear?" Most other sports have.
NB: Probably because the whole concept of "Sportswear" is really an American concept and Americans definitely don't get cricket. However I'm not sure that the influence is completely absent. While it may be indirect, a good part of the preppy, Ivy League and college style comes from traditional cricket gear. RL seems to own the look here but classics like the piped lapel blazer, white nubuck shoes, cable V-neck sweaters, wool caps, pocket emblems and diagonal striped ties -- items that you can find all day long at RL and in fact see Kanye and Pharrell sporting right now, all have their beginnings in English School clothing and the sport of cricket.
HS: Stussy does a remarkable job, taking everything in context, localizing their brand through stores and pointed collaboration. Is it important to you to take into account local looks and trends in primary markets for Stussy Deluxe?
NB: Not really, because Stussy Deluxe is rooted in classics, not a graphic language. Until now we haven't thought it necessary to do product that could be considered "local" to any one area, but it hasn't been around that long so maybe we'll still get to that point.
HS: What was the last thing (if anything) you designed which didn't work even though you saw it as having huge potential?
