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Autumn, 2005
What I've Learned_John Ray Gucci's Creative Director of Menswear reveals his modern style secrets John Ray was born in Scotland and spent the majority of his childhood there. Ray's creative talent found its beginnings in his study of graphic design, and later in his work in advertising. In 1986 his interest in fashion led him to pursue a career change at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. In 1989, Ray enrolled at the Royal College of Art, where he earned a Masters in Menswear. There he refined his tailoring skills and developed a particular attention to detail and quality. While still astudent, he realised his designs on Savile Row, feeling dissastifsied with Royal College resources. Upon completetion of his studies in 1992, Ray joined the creative team at Katharine Hamnett as an assistant, then head of menswear design. In 1996 he joined Gucci as a menswear consultant under Tom Ford's creative direction, and soon assumed a full-time position. In 2001 he was named Vice President of Menswear and by March 2004 he had been named Creative Director of Menswear. Ray lives and works in London, and describes himself as an extremely private person. His personal style is classic and modern with a touch of British eccentricity. He has a keen sense of luxury that he relentlessly expresses in all his designs. Ray considers a perfectly tailored jacket and a beautiful pair of made-to-measure shoes to be central to a man's wardrobe because for a man, "the essentials in clothing are found in their quality." Enquiries: www.gucci.com 
A MAN LOOKS BEST IN... good healthTHE FIRST RULE OF DESIGN IS... aninspired moment WORKING AS AN ENGLISHMAN FOR AN ITALIAN COMPANY IS... an honour THE DEFINITION OF MODERN LUXURY IS... old-fashioned craftsmanship THE MOST GLAMOROUS ERA IS...tomorrow WHEN I STARTED... to dream I found everything I believed in A GOOD IDEA IS... worth sharing THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IS... a clear vision MY IDEAL HOLIDAY IS... under a large tree sheltering from the Scottish rain GREAT LUGGAGE TELLS PEOPLE... you pack a fabulous wardrobe THE ESSENTIAL ITEM IN EVERY MAN'S WARDROBE... is the man THERE'S A FINE LINE... in a great Picasso MY FAVOURITE CAR IS... a Seventies' frog green Porsche LUNCH IS... dressed crab at Sweetings I'VE NEVER BELIEVED... in fairies THE MOTHER OF INVENTION IS... inventionitself MEN SHOULD ALWAYS... have good manners WOMEN SHOULD ALWAYS... have elegance and grace THE SECRET OF GOOD MANAGEMENT IS... agreat team and a big bonus system THE BEST WAY TO RELAX IS... listening to the radio in the bath I STILL DON'T KNOW... all the right answers  Words Peter Howarth Get BusinessWeek directly on your desktop with our RSS feeds.  Add BusinessWeek news to your Web site with our headline feed. Click to buy an e-print or reprint of a BusinessWeek or BusinessWeek Online story or video. To subscribe online to BusinessWeek magazine, please click here. Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page  | | |
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