Q: What were your inspirations for FOG?

A: The soundtrack to Fog is a song called ‘Rain’ by The Cult so listening to that will give you a good idea of the atmosphere of the range. The Fog instalment is the downpour of rain after the drought of apocalypse that was the Summer Desert instalment. It was heavily influenced by German military traditions and the Luc Besson film, ‘Le Dernier Combat’.

Q: What is your favourite piece from the collection?

A: The new D-Coat in Chanel. The cut of this coat has been an evolution over a few seasons now, and we’ve finally got it to within a fraction of our ideal cut for a piece like this. The Chanel tweed is soft and almost second-hand in handle and look, but with a modern cut – long, sculptured arms and dead straight side seams – no waisting at all. Can’t wait for winter to pull it on. It sums up the range perfectly with its fog-like softness of tone and texture, its regime-inspired proportions and its great compatibility with the rest of the range.

Q: Could you please explain how you’ve improved the Tall Shirt this season from your S/S ‘Desert’ collection?

A: Despite the same name they’re almost two different pieces. The new Tall Shirt for winter is long sleeve, with removable arm tabs for a rolled up sleeve look similar to the Summer version. The collar is slightly bigger in proportion to the hyper-small button down of the Summer Tall Shirt, and now comes with a metal Collar Bolt as well as the button down. It’s also not quite as long as the Summer version, however still long enough to get a different silhouette to our other shirts. You should buy down a size if you want a mod fit, or standard size if you’re after a slightly over-sized look. The original Summer Tall Shirt will make a return in 09/10 though as it was a popular piece for both guys and girls.

Q: What are Beat Poet’s plans for this year?

A: Relaunching the website and building upon this over the next few years. Hopefully putting together a show and another video, possibly a limited run of ankle-boots. At the moment the focus is on honing in on the wardrobe.

Q: Which bands have you been listening to lately?

A: Amongst the post-punk there’s been a bit of 80’s stuff like A-ha, a bit of mod-jazz and lots of coldwave. Been really into Clair Obscur, Exces Nocturne, Resistance, Liaisons Dangereuses…

Q: As rumoured, do you think Gareth Pugh should take over Kris Van Assche at Dior Homme?

A: Something needs to happen at Dior Homme if the legacy if Slimane is to be retained at all. Van Assche has had a few seasons now and is missing the energy and concrete silhouette of Slimane. His design tries to be minimal but comes off lacking depth. While anyone coming in and trying to emulate Slimane would be a mistake, someone needs to tap into the same disciplined aesthetic and unmistakable handwriting that he created at Dior over several years. Which is where someone like Pugh could be good – his womenswear has been unreal and the recent 09 Fall menswear show was futuristic, subversive and energetic. If forced to tone down his theatrics for a major label like Dior the result could be versatile + wearable pieces with a strong undercurrent of subculture – exactly what Slimane managed so well. I’d love to see Demeulemeester in there though….