Do you know New Zealand's best dressed businessman?

Our first nominees

Ben Ford (analyst, corporate finance, PricewaterhouseCoopers) is very particular about the suits he wears. So particular, in fact, he must have been a Florentine tailor in a past life. His rules are as follows: armholes high; fabrics premium quality; jackets not too long or too shrunken and definitely no pinching on the shoulders (which are always roped); colours grey or blue. Shirts narrow but no darts allowed; usually white or blue, sometimes simple checks or stripes.

On any given day you’ll see him in a three-piece Prince of Wales check, a flannel double breasted or a bespoke navy. Quality is paramount and it shows — he looks perfectly turned out every time he steps out the door.




Paul Doran (tailor, Wunderkammer) is a tailor and he wears his suits like one. Multiple pins in the lapel, sleeves rolled up and as few fussy details as possible. He prefers half lined to full lined, minimal detailing, a single button and no belt loops. Colours are always plain black, navy or grey, and his shirts are always black or white.

He adopts the Prada philosophy to his work uniform — if there are beautiful pieces in the store, the customers should be wearing them, not the staff. He refuses to wear anything but Costume National shoes, and they’re the only item in his wardrobe where he’ll do colour — greys, patents, but usually black and always leather. Doran wears his suits and it works for him; he has the appearance of an artisan cobbler from another era. He exemplifies that old statement about the man wearing the clothes — he doesn’t let the clothes wear him.



Brian Richards (director/strategist at Brian R Richards Brand Strategists) only buys suits that will endure his hectic travelling schedule. He looks for incredible comfort and chooses distinctive fabrics for their elegance and longevity. He favours Japanese designers Issey Miyake, Yojhi Yamamoto and Comme des Garcons for their cuts and finishes; he prefers an unshaped, boxy, loose-fitting suit to something well tailored and form fitting.

He never wears a tie and very rarely a traditional lapel, but likes his suits to have the ability to be dressed up or down depending on the situation. He feels it’s harder for men to buy clothes as they get older because they’re so quickly confined to the regimented uniforms of gentlemanly dressing. That’s why you’ll never see him in a traditional suit. His clothing is timelessly unusual, and always worn with an understated elegance.