Nick Ashley’s style is inspired by authenticity; he prefers reviving designs with practicality for today’s modern world and breaking rules. And as for following the crowd? Best not to ask…
Our co-founder (if you’re not familiar with him already), the incomparable, inheritably stylish, Nick Ashley needs no introduction.
Ten years ago this winter, we launched the first ever edition of what is arguably our most iconic design, the Twin Track. To commemorate its inauguration we have made a Limited Edition batch of 50 units to the exact specification as the original T.T. launched in 2010 and designed by Nick with his expert eye.
We had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with Nick about breaking rules, wanderlust adventures on the road and designing The Classic Twin Track.
I’ve used lockdown to my advantage, turning my hand to art. I’ve been interested in art all my life, at school I only really did two subjects: Art and Sport. When I am in my studio I don’t really feel an emotion until I start chucking stuff around, I don’t plan anything, I just let it happen, then follow the flow, I don’t let my brain or my logic guide me at all, I try to bypass them.
I like to keep things minimal to be authentic. Stylish people, and often the best dressed are always authentic. They’re being themselves, not someone that they’re not or following the crowd like sheep. I’d much rather shoot myself than be a sheep.
A person with a good attitude constitutes a stylish man. Attitude dictates individuality, and individuality dictates style, then taste defines the style. It’s a language.
My definition of style is when someone has a confident sense of themselves; they may know all the rules and are therefore qualified to break them if they feel like it. Clothes are a reflection of how you feel on the inside, displayed on the outside, so some people make a really nice read!
My life motto: I’d rather be a lion for a day that a sheep for a lifetime. And rules were made to be broken!
Everyone loves the Twin Track, it’s masculine, practical, ageless, a classic. Of all the biker jackets I’ve had (and I’ve had many), the Twin Track is without doubt the best in the business. It is so versatile.
The design is one revived from the 30’s, with a few adjustments. It’s really, really good.
Any changes made to these classics should be really carefully done, and for a reason, otherwise the delicate balance is upset. I learned to gather knowledge from my mother, the designer Laura Ashley. She taught me the principle of looking behind before going forward, the importance of evolution in design, then adding on the relevant technological updates in order to make the product more practical for today’s society.
Hopefully the Reno to Vegas desert race in Nevada next August, 400 miles of straight lines, riding on a Kawasake KX500. It’s a two stroke with a hugely powerful engine, the thought of it could make my knees wobble. I’m the 5th best desert racer in the UK, but then again, there are only 5 of us. I’m hoping it goes ahead.
This summer, I’ve had a bikegasm on the Norton (with a TT obviously) on Lake Como.
I tend to pack light, always. Stick to restrictive colours, and one colour (sometimes two), usually black and navy. Everything goes together, if you’re off the beaten track you can wash at the side of the river easily when you are on the go.
There is always a future collaboration on the cards. Just call me. We have to break that mould of designing collections for Spring Summer and Autumn Winter, for stuff that lasts a lifetime. Private White V.C. is changing the way things happen, it’s good for the planet, it’s sustainable. PWVC is a team of people dedicated to doing things the right way. The world of fashion has got carried away with disposable clothes that are produced without much emphasis on welfare or impact on the environment. We are not perfect yet, but we are already ticking quite a lot of the boxes that should correct the situation.
We are fully transparent, we invite anyone to come and see our factory, our mills and our sheep. By the way, the sheep are on my farm in Wales – who would have thought, Wales: fire starter!
I think people are becoming much more interested in the products that surround them. Their clothes become their best friends, and so if there is a provenance and ethos behind those clothes it helps to get people attached to their clothes, they will have them for longer.
My dream project nearly got the go ahead. To design a motorbike and race it from Reno to Vegas but Norton went bust. It might be on the cards again one day, I’ll pick it up with the new owners. Watch this space.
Nick Ashley’s style is inspired by authenticity; he prefers reviving designs with practicality for today’s modern world and breaking rules. And as for following the crowd? Best not to ask…
Our co-founder (if you’re not familiar with him already), the incomparable, inheritably stylish, Nick Ashley needs no introduction.
Ten years ago this winter, we launched the first ever edition of what is arguably our most iconic design, the Twin Track. To commemorate its inauguration we have made a Limited Edition batch of 50 units to the exact specification as the original T.T. launched in 2010 and designed by Nick with his expert eye.
We had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with Nick about breaking rules, wanderlust adventures on the road and designing The Classic Twin Track.
I’ve used lockdown to my advantage, turning my hand to art. I’ve been interested in art all my life, at school I only really did two subjects: Art and Sport. When I am in my studio I don’t really feel an emotion until I start chucking stuff around, I don’t plan anything, I just let it happen, then follow the flow, I don’t let my brain or my logic guide me at all, I try to bypass them.
I like to keep things minimal to be authentic. Stylish people, and often the best dressed are always authentic. They’re being themselves, not someone that they’re not or following the crowd like sheep. I’d much rather shoot myself than be a sheep.
A person with a good attitude constitutes a stylish man. Attitude dictates individuality, and individuality dictates style, then taste defines the style. It’s a language.
My definition of style is when someone has a confident sense of themselves; they may know all the rules and are therefore qualified to break them if they feel like it. Clothes are a reflection of how you feel on the inside, displayed on the outside, so some people make a really nice read! My life motto: I’d rather be a lion for a day that a sheep for a lifetime. And rules were made to be broken!
Everyone loves the Twin Track, it’s masculine, practical, ageless, a classic. Of all the biker jackets I’ve had (and I’ve had many), the Twin Track is without doubt the best in the business. It is so versatile.
The design is one revived from the 30’s, with a few adjustments. It’s really, really good.
Any changes made to these classics should be really carefully done, and for a reason, otherwise the delicate balance is upset. I learned to gather knowledge from my mother, the designer Laura Ashley. She taught me the principle of looking behind before going forward, the importance of evolution in design, then adding on the relevant technological updates in order to make the product more practical for today’s society.
Hopefully the Reno to Vegas desert race in Nevada next August, 400 miles of straight lines, riding on a Kawasake KX500. It’s a two stroke with a hugely powerful engine, the thought of it could make my knees wobble. I’m the 5th best desert racer in the UK, but then again, there are only 5 of us. I’m hoping it goes ahead.
This summer, I’ve had a bikegasm on the Norton (with a TT obviously) on Lake Como.
I tend to pack light, always. Stick to restrictive colours, and one colour (sometimes two), usually black and navy. Everything goes together, if you’re off the beaten track you can wash at the side of the river easily when you are on the go.
There is always a future collaboration on the cards. Just call me. We have to break that mould of designing collections for Spring Summer and Autumn Winter, for stuff that lasts a lifetime. Private White V.C. is changing the way things happen, it’s good for the planet, it’s sustainable. PWVC is a team of people dedicated to doing things the right way. The world of fashion has got carried away with disposable clothes that are produced without much emphasis on welfare or impact on the environment. We are not perfect yet, but we are already ticking quite a lot of the boxes that should correct the situation.
We are fully transparent, we invite anyone to come and see our factory, our mills and our sheep. By the way, the sheep are on my farm in Wales – who would have thought, Wales: fire starter!
I think people are becoming much more interested in the products that surround them. Their clothes become their best friends, and so if there is a provenance and ethos behind those clothes it helps to get people attached to their clothes, they will have them for longer.
My dream project nearly got the go ahead. To design a motorbike and race it from Reno to Vegas but Norton went bust. It might be on the cards again one day, I’ll pick it up with the new owners. Watch this space.
"For many (myself included) there is something extra special about Nick’s original Twin Track that sets it apart from the other iterations we have released over the past decade. Whether it is the copper press studs, the placings and proportions of the pockets or the blanket clip-fastener there is just so much to obsess over."
JAMES EDEN, CEO & FOUNDER
Shop The Classic Twin Track
"For many (myself included) there is something extra special about Nick’s original Twin Track that sets it apart from the other iterations we have released over the past decade. Whether it is the copper press studs, the placings and proportions of the pockets or the blanket clip-fastener there is just so much to obsess over. "
JAMES EDEN, CEO & FOUNDER
THE TWIN TRACK
Shop The Wax Twin Track
Shop The Classic Twin Track
Shop The Wax Twin Track
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