When you Walk with Wildsmith, you step into our unique story that began with English heritage, craftsmanship and traditional design back in 1847 but has been reinvented for the modern era with a contemporary twist. We look to express our history and where our journey will take us next by engaging with individuals who embody that same Wildsmith spirit.
Walk with Wildsmith steps out with London-based graphic designer and vintage clothing forager Matty Whitehead to find out more about his style inspiration and his new-found passion for Wildsmith shoes.
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you get your creativity from
I grew up just down along the coast from Brighton and I think that's where my love of fashion started. I played loads of sport throughout my childhood and as much as I love rugby, it doesn't really encourage self expression, so I was seen as a bit weird when I started to want to dress more interestingly in the clubhouse after the game. This love of fashion and creativity is what then got me into design. Finding any way to be creative is really what drives me, not design or fashion necessarily.
When did fashion become important to you and how did it manifest itself? Did you have multiple style eras growing up? What were your influences?
Fashion started becoming important to me as soon as I started getting taken with my sisters and their friends to all the vintage shops in Brighton. I must have been about 12.
My style has gone through loads of iterations, some that I would prefer not to think about! I started with the classic, vintage sweatshirts, old jeans and plimsolls. Then indie music got me into skinny jeans, straw trilbies and polo shirts. I have realised 10 years on, I do not have the build for skinny jeans. For some reason in my second year of university, I got really into the sartorial style, which I still love. I just didn't have the budget for it as a student, so it was H&M skinny suits and Topman loafers.
Obviously, I then had to have my obligatory sneakerhead era. I think I got to a height of 64 pairs, mainly Air Max, that are still in my basement, so if anyone is a UK 11, you know who to contact.
How would you describe your style today?
I seem to be back to my original vintage routes just now with a lot of Americana and Western influence. I used to be very workwear and sneakers, until I went to my first metal concert (all credit to my girlfriend). There I saw a guy dressed in white 501s, a denim jacket, cowboy boots, red bandana and a vintage trucker cap. Safe to say, the next week I was dressed identically and never looked back.
My style still changes a lot, I will dress very Western some days, a vintage suit the next, and then back to workwear and a thrash band tee. I think the consistent element is everything is very classic, from the fit, to the material, to the colours.
When did fashion become important to you and how did it manifest itself? Did you have multiple style eras growing up? What were your influences?
Fashion started becoming important to me as soon as I started getting taken with my sisters and their friends to all the vintage shops in Brighton. I must have been about 12.
My style has gone through loads of iterations, some that I would prefer not to think about! I started with the classic, vintage sweatshirts, old jeans and plimsolls. Then indie music got me into skinny jeans, straw trilbies and polo shirts. I have realised 10 years on, I do not have the build for skinny jeans. For some reason in my second year of university, I got really into the sartorial style, which I still love. I just didn't have the budget for it as a student, so it was H&M skinny suits and Topman loafers.
Obviously, I then had to have my obligatory sneakerhead era. I think I got to a height of 64 pairs, mainly Air Max, that are still in my basement, so if anyone is a UK 11, you know who to contact.
How would you describe your style today?
I seem to be back to my original vintage routes just now with a lot of Americana and Western influence. I used to be very workwear and sneakers, until I went to my first metal concert (all credit to my girlfriend). There I saw a guy dressed in white 501s, a denim jacket, cowboy boots, red bandana and a vintage trucker cap. Safe to say, the next week I was dressed identically and never looked back.
My style still changes a lot, I will dress very Western some days, a vintage suit the next, and then back to workwear and a thrash band tee. I think the consistent element is everything is very classic, from the fit, to the material, to the colours.
What have been your best vintage finds?
My best pick-up recently was the Cowichan I am wearing in my Wildsmith shoot that I got from the Classic Car Boot Sale the day before. Before that, it was a perfect condition Chimayo vest I got from Urban Village in Henley-in-Arden. I had never seen one that fit me before so I had to get it. I also got a full-length fur coat for only £100 last year. Again, I had been looking for one for years but never found one big enough and for such a bargain.
My favourite vintage items I didn't buy though, my Dad gave me his Levi's type 3 denim jacket and Mets bomber jacket that he got in the 1980s and they have become my prize possessions.
The quest for a longed-for vintage piece can be tricky one. You described it as “a love-hate relationship”, tell us more
It's just so frustrating! It feels like I'm seeing what I want all the time, but as a slightly bigger guy I really struggle to find my size in a lot of these vintage pieces. The trick really is to just keep searching all the time, which is where it is a love-hate relationship.
I love the hunt and the excitement you get when you find what you are looking for, but coming away empty handed nine times out of 10 can just be soul destroying. I'm not yet at the point in my life where I can just pay the huge money that some of these more curated shops are charging for essentially doing that hunt for you.
The quest for a longed-for vintage piece can be tricky one. You described it as “a love-hate relationship”, tell us more
It's just so frustrating! It feels like I'm seeing what I want all the time, but as a slightly bigger guy I really struggle to find my size in a lot of these vintage pieces. The trick really is to just keep searching all the time, which is where it is a love-hate relationship.
I love the hunt and the excitement you get when you find what you are looking for, but coming away empty handed nine times out of 10 can just be soul destroying. I'm not yet at the point in my life where I can just pay the huge money that some of these more curated shops are charging for essentially doing that hunt for you.
How did you discover Wildsmith?
Like most new brands I find it was through Instagram. It's sad how much time I spend on there, but it has brought me some gems like finding you guys.
What do you like about Wildsmith's shoes and boots?
I love the build quality and the fact it is a British company. If I'm spending good money on something I need to make sure it is built to last and know that the design work is of the highest quality.
What do you love about the Model 70?
I wear cowboy boots pretty much every day so I was looking for an alternative boot that could look a bit smarter but still have that classic vibe. I also love the little details on all the shoes and boots, especially the small cutouts on the heel that just elevate it above a standard plain black boot.
Any other Wildsmith styles caught your eye?
THE LOAFERS! I love all the loafers, it's my second most worn shoe, so no surprise, but I am in love with the black and brown suede snaffle-bit loafers (Model 53) and the black and white loafers (Model 110). The detail on the upper is just great. I was pretty obsessed with the monk strap shoes from the Solovair collab too. Come summer, I want to get the thicker loafers with the suede upper in cognac (Model 55D).
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