By most standards, Louis Smith had an epic 2012. He snagged the Strictly Come Dancing trophy, he featured in Subway's "Where Winners Eat" campaign and his swept-over, half-shaven 'do has been endlessly copied across the British Isles. Oh, and there was that stuff about some Olympic medals.
But, while we congratulate the gymnast on his awesome achievements last year, we might need a little bit of convincing about his plans for 2013. Namely a fashion line. In a video interview with London College of Fashion ahead of the London Collections: Men showcase, Smith says that designing his own range is definitely in the cards. There's no denying that the man has a mean range of sharp blazers, dapper suits and bow ties, but bitter experience tells us that an awesome wardrobe does not an awesome designer make (hello there, Kanye West).
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"I have a lot of clothes in my head that I'd like to wear, but that I don't see out there; so I'm really interested about trying to get into fashion and perhaps starting my own range," he said in the interview. Of course, he's not the first British Olympian with fashion aspirations — Jessica Ennis revealed her hopes to collaborate with a fashion brand last month, and Bradley Wiggins is the appointed patron saint of all things mod, thanks to his collaboration with Fred Perry.
One thing's certain, though: If Smith's range does go ahead, he won't be filling store rails with sportswear. In the interview, he waxes lyrical about the power of sharp tailoring.
"The key item for any guy is a decent suit. You've got to look fresh in a suit, you've got to be able to bust it out," he says. "Skinnies, nice ties — you need a good selection. And lots of bow ties too."
Maybe a tailoring business on Savile Row would fit the bill? You've got to admire a man with that kind of ambition.
Watch Louis' video interview with LCF here:
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