STYLE NEWS / STYLE FILE: MARK HOWARD

Featured in Style Guru  Date 28th August 2008

Mark Howard is an artist and graphic designer who runs one of the city's leading independent clothes shops, Disorder. Here he shares his secrets on style

1: When you need to feel great, which item of clothing do you reach for? The Disorder shirt that featured in the Style in the City fashion show in April. I get such a positive reaction from people when I were it. I feel just so good when i put it on , I feel I can handle anything the world throws at me.

2: What is your biggest fashion faux pas? Not that I would admit to ever having one, but I feel fashion particular at the moment is about having no fear and really expressing yourself. Although, as a kid I was made to wear a particularly wide pair of flares that has scarred me.

3: What does "style" mean to you? Style to me is all about confidence and expressing your individuality. I know there are stylists prescribing fashion trends, but everyone has their own style. Some people just feel more comfortable expressing it than others.

4: What is the most embarrassing CD in your collection? I cringe at the thought, I must have blocked them out, or refuse to acknowledge buying them. Probably Now That's What I call Music - No6, or something showing my age now we are on to Now 70.

5: Describe the best night out in Birmingham? A bite to eat at the Mailbox, a walk on the canal, and catch some music at the Rainbow.

6: What would you say to people who think Birmingham is lacking in style? Just take a look at the Style in the City event staged earlier this year.

7: Which celebrity would be your dream date? I can't say I would get inspiring conversation out of any of the recent batch, but I would love to time travel and catch Jimi Hendrix in concert.

8: What are your guilty pleasures? Having the choice of clothes from the whole shop, especially when the new collections arrive. I get to wear all the pieces first ... although the guilt does not last for long.

9: When it comes to shopping in Birmingham, where do you splurge and where do you save? I am spoilt as i do all my splurging and saving at Disorder. To tell you the truth when I buy clothes from any where else it just doesn't feel the same.

10: What's your top fashion tip? Shop at Disorder - you will be guaranteed to find something unique and sylish at a reasonable price. And the styling advice is second to none.

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