#59 Nick Ashley

A huge cross-section of people race in the DTRA: different ages, backgrounds, occupations and goals. Farmers race against painters and decorators; engineers battle with tilers. Builders, photographers, car salesmen, carpenters, film set designers, airline pilots, mechanics and, in Nick Ashley, menswear designers are all DTRA members...

I bought some of Nick Ashley clobber when he had his own label more than ten years ago, then got to know him through Sideburn (Ben knew him before that). Now Nick is head of design for an upmarket menswear label called Private White V.C. that is almost unique in making all its products in the UK.

Nick has always raced and ridden. He's competed in desert rallyes and enduros and now, also, competes in the vintage class on a Cheney Triumph.

There's an amusing interview with Nick here. With some of the highlights being...

The factory in Manchester was there at the start of the industry, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. The whole of the Manchester ship canal – from Liverpool to Manchester – was built for the industry, but it’s all gone apart from this. I dream of getting a ship into Manchester, filling it with product and sailing it to China – and selling a whole load of clothes there. Then I can die a happy man. Out of the mill, out of the factory and even take the voyage – smoking Capstan Full Strength and drinking rum all the way!

We had interest from the UK and wrote a few orders. Britain is a small place and, as I say, people spend all their money on houses and education. If you compare it even to Italy, there’s a vast difference. People dress beautifully, eat beautifully and have loads of sex. That’s their priority in life. Their economy is knackered, but they’re having a great time. Let’s all move to Italy!

Photos by Daniel Beres