Edinburgh is perfect fit for Duchamp menswear

Known for its colourful ties worn by the likes of Stephen Fry and news presenter Jon Snow, Duchamp is expanding rapidly after Psarolis led a private equity-backed buy-out of the firm from its founder, Mitchell Jacobs, five years ago.

The firm sells more than 60,000 ties a year – manufactured in London – as well as cufflinks, suits, jackets, socks and shirts, with some ranges featuring luxury tweed from Robert Noble’s historic mill in Peebles.

With sales now hitting markets in more than 70 countries, Psarolis aims to open a flagship retail outlet on London’s Jermyn Street next year which will feature the first autumn collection of its newly recruited Scots/Italian designer, Gianni Colarossi.

The brand launched another concession in Harvey Nicks in London last week and will launch in Leeds next week.

Psarolis said: “The concession in Edinburgh is a great opportunity to test the water in Scotland. Edinburgh has such a great vibe about it.”

The brand specialises in vibrant colours – and as its target market is men aged 35 and up its shirts are sized for the man who knows how to enjoy life.

“He’s been really let down by the designer labels,” said Psarolis of the Duchamp customer. “We aim to dress the guy who likes to eat, who works hard and who likes to dress well.”

He says Duchamp shirts are what you could call a “psychological slim fit”. “It’s called a slim fit but it fits everybody,” said Psarolis.

Before joining Duchamp, Psarolis spent several years at the luxury handbag giant, Mulberry.

Hailing from Ayr – not known as a fashion centre – Psarolis points out he is one of four major names in fashion retail to have come from the same area. “And we all know each other,” he adds.

The other three are Sir Tom Hunter, Brian McCluskey the chief executive of shoe chain Office, and Stephen Craig, the chief executive of fashion firm All Saints who recently resigned from the business after a falling out with its founder and chairman, Kevin Stanford.

Psarolis said: “I was never intimidated. My drive was always to be a successful brand and to have the best fashion collection and the rest would do itself.”