The Style Council

The Style Council. Trunk Clothiers/ London

Swedish class: Mats Klingberg’s Trunk Clothiers sets new standards, even in a fashion metropolis like London. It is a store for

modern gentlemen who appreciate high quality. Text: Kay Alexander Plonka. Photos: Tom Griffiths, Trunk Clothiers

It’s not only the Trunk Clothier store itself that’s worth a visit; the entire area in the Marylebone district is an attractive proposition. The fairly small Chiltern Street, located between the underground stations Baker Street and Bond Street, is one of the few places in London that is still worth exploring. Lovingly designed shops and cafés, the odd book store, an interesting gallery, a few bridal shops, a newsagent, as well as Prism and Sunspel stores - the neighbourhood of Trunk Clothiers has preserved its unique charm. Customers can visit the adjacent Monocle Cafe to indulge in soups, sandwiches, curries, and a special Japanese breakfast. The next building houses a Cadenhead Whisky Shop with a tasting room, in which one can sample the finest spirits Britain has to offer. During certain tasting events, one may even be offered a glass directly from the cask. Crispins supplies women with designer shoes for business outfits or evening events, as well as fashion sneakers in larger sizes. And last but not least, located directly opposite Trunk Clothiers, one can marvel at André Balazs’ Hotel & Restaurant Chiltern Firehouse, which is located in a magnificently restored gothic building from the Victorian age. By the way, Balazs also runs the Mercer and Standard hotels in New York, Miami, and LA. Marylebone certainly has charm!

Flair for Beautiful Things

Seeing that owner Mats Klingberg is Swedish, the interior of Trunk Clothiers is defined

by Nordic nonchalance. The atmosphere is accentuated by Scandinavian furniture from the 1950s and 1960s. Some of them may even sport a price tag. After all, the furniture is part of the style mix that men can purchase here. In addition, the store stocks handpicked items from Japan, Italy, the US, Sweden, and Great Britain. Naturally, all products can be ordered from the online shop outside the business hours. Mats Klingberg studied Fashion Merchandising Management at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, completed a Master of Science in business and economics in Sweden, and worked for some of the best tailors in the world. He even spent some time managing a hotel in Switzerland. Mats Klingberg loves to travel and meet new people; he draws inspiration from his journeys. “I have always been interested in architecture, landscapes, and clothing. I prefer things of timeless beauty, which is why my style is

Trunk Clothiers Ltd

8 Chiltern Street, W1U 7PU London/UK www.trunkclothiers.com Opening: 9th of September 2010 Owner: Mats Klingberg Store manager: Tim Yates Sales area: 50sqm Brands for men: Aspesi, Barbour, Barena, Beams+, Bigi, Boglioli, Camoshita, Caruso, Drake’s, Gitman Vintage, Glanshirt, Incotex, Mackintosh, Monocle Voyage, Trunk Clothiers, and others Accessories brands: Aesop, Alden, Bag’n’Noun, Begg & Co, Common Projects, Delfonics, Eleanor Pritchard, Ichizawa Hanpu, Kaweco, Le Labo, Porter, Rimowa, Skultuna, Valextra, and others more classic than fashionable”, Klingberg explains. The customers adore his knowledgeable brand selection; they celebrate the extraordinary brand portfolio, the selection of individual items, and their respective presentation on the Internet. The well-travelled clientele often describes Trunk Clothiers as the best menswear store ever. The reason is that one can feel that every product is backed up by history and deliberation, and because one can always rely on Mats Klingberg’s knack for style. The honest and discreet staff, as well as the professional personal service they provide, is also often praised. Just a few metres down the road from the main store, Mats Klingberg runs the so-called Trunk Labs Store. This shop stocks an exquisite selection of accessories ranging from handkerchiefs to classic writing utensils, as well as finest luggage, bags, shoes, belts, toiletries, sunglasses, household items, and smaller furniture. “The Trunk Labs Store strives to assist men in adding a special touch to their wardrobe, home, or office. We interpret the term accessories rather broadly. The shop offers the perfect present for the sophisticated man who already has everything he needs”, Mats Klingberg explains.