Let Studio Nicholson Put You in Bigger Pants

The trousers are best-sellers for other retailers, too. Louise Schwartz, senior buyer at End Clothing, says pants are the most consistent choice for customers. “Trousers continue to drive Studio Nicholson’s success, in particular the Sorte Deep Pleat Pant due to its relaxed fit. All colorways [have] great traction. We have also seen a rise in denim performance, with the Petar Denim Jacket and Paolo Jean now staples within our assortment.”

Wakeman’s loyalty to great fabrics resonates with audiences, too. Jordan Curry, a 32-year-old insurance salesman from Portland, Oregon, says to GQ: “The feel of the fabric is what attracted me to the brand in the first place. Studio Nicholson has simple and often understated designs that just work well with so many things. I feel like I’m dressed well in materials that feel amazing. I feel at ease and comfortable.”

The appeal isn’t just on the streets of Glasgow and Portland, either, but also in Hollywood, too. Stylist Michael Fisher, whose roster includes Sebastian Stan, Oscar Isaac, and Jake Gyllenhaal, often dresses his people in Studio Nicholson when they want to look cool and comfortable.

“The clothes work on more casual [red] carpets, premieres, press days, meetings and in real life— which is why my clients love them,” says Fisher. “There are multiple ways to combine the pieces and this versatility is really helpful when wardrobing a client. It gives polish without giving too much ‘fashion’.”

If you fancy a relaxing afternoon, a scroll through Wakeman’s Instagram comes highly recommended. Between shots of Studio Nicholson clothes and, of course, the creative director herself, the feed doubles as an exquisitely curated moodboard: vintage photographs of beautiful women, old runway shots, ’90s celebrities, beautifully-lit interiors. In one shot, an Al Pacino suit, tie undone. In another, Jack Nicholson climbing into a cab, the A Few Good Men era, red tinted Ray-Bans on and an unlit cigarette in his mouth. Keanu Reeves makes frequent appearances, as does Kate Moss.

In addition to a very calming digital experience, this practice of online moodboarding also helps Wakeman with each new collection. “It starts with imagery and people and quotes. Feelings and movies. That’s where it starts, where something’s just tickled me. If it’s at the wrong point in the season, I’ll remember it, and we get on to that, and then I’ll do a rough mood board, and then we’ll sit down and talk about it,” says Wakeman of her creative process.

“Often it’s ‘Oh my god, I found this amazing image of so-and-so sitting in the middle of New York on a sofa, and this is what menswear should look like this season.’ Or ‘I’ve read an amazing book, and there’s this quote in it, and this is how we should feel about women’s wear this season.’ It’s very creative.”

Sebastian Stan wearing Studio Nicholson, styled by Michael Fisher.

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Jake Gyllenhaal wearing Studio Nicholson, also styled by Fisher.

Dave Benett/Getty Images

Wakeman reels off her most beloved moments: “Columbo’s raincoat, or Mickey Rourke’s scarf around his neck, or it could be Keanu Reeves’ helmet. It could be anything.”