Born in Glasgow and immersed in the fashion industry for well over forty years, there is very little that Ricky Green hasn’t seen or experienced throughout the course of his illustrious career.
Having started out working on the shop floor of his families business, Green began his working life as a trainee on a management programme before cutting his teeth in manufacturing where he learnt the ropes in sourcing and production.
“My journey throughout the course of my career has been an exciting one.” Green says. “I secured vital experience in U.K. manufacturing, wholesale and retail buying, which culminated in me landing the position of Director at Ted Baker where I played an instrumental role in building the brand as a wholesale and licensing business.”
Ricky is now an advisor for several brands, including Away That Day, Cell Workout, Herdy and Nobody’s Child.
We caught up with Ricky Green for the latest edition of our ‘My London’ interview series.
Favourite neighbourhood:
Crouch End for its wonderful and eclectic selection of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants – it has the vibe of a mini Brooklyn, but in London. Sourdough Sophia and Lyon’s Seafood & Wine Bar are first class.
Favourite place for brunch:
Sunny Hill Cafe – it’s quite an ordinary, down ’n dirty wooden chalet style cafe in the middle of a suburban park in Hendon! They makes the best Shakshuka in London, and the pickles are to die for!
Best coffee in London:
Doppio Coffee Warehouse in Kentish Town – if you like coffee you love this place! Not only do they make the best coffee, but they also open your mind to the world of beans, equipment and an encyclopaedic knowledge of how to stimulate the senses.
Favourite gallery or museum:
Tate Modern. I just never seem to get bored of this place – acres of art, and exhibits which takes me away from the everyday and feeds my soul.
Tell us a secret:
Cadenheads is a tiny Whisky shop on Chiltern Street which looks like a run of the mill whisky shop from the outside, but inside it’s a Tardis of atmospheric rooms including a basement tasting room for private parties. Rumour has it that this was previously the studio of the Emanuels’ where they designed Princess Diana’s wedding dress.
Favourite place to shop:
Labour & Wait on Shoreditch and Dorset Street. This store sells everything from hardware to clothing and celebrates timeless products that I love to help me live today but with a memories of yesteryear. Recent purchase was a pair of Blundstone Boots and I was also gifted a wooden handled screwdriver.
Favourite place to find inspiration:
The Barbican – a monument to Brutalism in the city of London. Around every corner is a photo waiting to be taken and one of the best venues for the arts and entertainment.
Best London destination for a date:
I don’t get the chance to go on dates anymore, as I’ve been happily married to my beautiful wife Eliana for many years. We recently went to The River Cafe for a mid week lunch. Quite decadent for us, but the laid back atmosphere and authentic cooking accompanied by a lovely bottle of Rose wine made this a special place at a quieter time of the week.
Favourite park:
Hampstead Heath, which touches so many neighbourhoods : Highgate with its famous cemetery , Kenwood with summer concerts, Hampstead Ponds for a freshwater swim, South End Green for the Isokon Flats; the pioneering modern apartment block and gallery — the list could go on and on!
Favourite food market:
Alexandra Palace Farmers Market. There’s food for everyone, with the primary focus being top local produce accompanied by fresh hot food , local crafts and fair-trade coffee .
Your sanctuary in the city:
Regents Park – whether its the wilder elements of the outer circle, or the carefully manicured gardens of the inner circle, this park is my place to seek peace and quite while being a stones throw away from the West End.
What inspires you?
Relaxing on my Eames chair with a glass of single malt whisky pursuing through my jazz vinyl collection, reading the sleeve notes and feeding off the past: ‘We cant understand where we are going until we learn where we’ve been’. Currently its a Deveron 12 and Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson.
This season I’m loving:
Niwaka, on Chiltern Street! It’s a wonderful Japanese hardware store offering a collection of tools, accessories and denim, beautifully designed interior by Jones-Neville.
