Ozwald Boateng

If you thought that Armani and Yves Saint Laurent et al are the be all and end all of formal haute couture, then think again.

British born fashion designer Ozwald Boateng has rocked the world of formal menswear with his uber-stylish designs for the modern man. With elements of the classical combined with a very forward looking perspective of 21st century fashion, Boateng's clothes are stunning without being extroverted. They embody the very essence of what it means to dress smart and look good. His shirts and ties come in a wide variety of colours and designs, his suits are tailored with a perfect fit in mind. If Ian Fleming were alive today and writing a James Bond novel, Boateng would be Bond's number one tailor.

"My view on what you should and shouldn’t wear is quite varied" says Boateng, in an interview with the BBC. "You can get away with a bright coloured shirt and still look formal, provided the tie and the shirt work together and the shirt has a double cuff.

"The worst mistake you can make is wearing an ill-fitting suit. If you do, it just looks rectangular.

"Soft collared shirts (collars without bones) are also a no-no, as are trousers with turn-ups.

"They break the line of the trouser and draw unnecessary attention to the trouser hem.

"It is always nice to see a bit of the shirt cuff from under the jacket and show that you are a true gentleman.

"If you want that Gentleman’s appearance you’ll need a well pressed shirt.

"With a shirt it’s all about the quality.

"A change of cufflinks can be used to easily change your look and say something different about your personality."

"And don't forget to always polish your shoes."

Ozwald Boateng's clothes can be purchased from all good exclusive department stores, and from his flagship store at 9 Vigo Street, London W1X 1AL. For more information and for bespoke tailoring, visit his website at http://www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk.