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Meet Neil Ferrier (@alifeofneil), industrial designer and head of Discommon (@discommon).
1. Give us a short introduction about yourself:
I’m Neil Ferrier. I was born in Scotland, but I’m currently living in Greenville, South Carolina. I am at the helm of a talented little SWAT team that executes industrial design and manufacturing for companies around the globe.
2. How do you define your style?
I am exceptional at sweatpants. But if we want to talk about actual fashion, I would say clean coastal European. Fitness is a big part of my life and I feel confident walking into a meeting in a well-cut polo shirt, vintage watch, and tailored pants. I don’t own a suit—I suppose I’d love one, but I don’t feel like I need that “armor” in my line of work.
3. What does it mean for you to be a Modern Gentleman?
Something I have focused on in the past few years is finding comfort in my own skin. Being less affected by the emotions and opinions of others and therefore being comfortable charting my path as I see it. I think a modern gentleman has the comfort to write his own story, the vulnerability to ask for help with the chapters, and the mischief to doodle around all the edges.
4. When it comes to style, where do you mostly get your inspiration from?
I’m such a sucker for the Instagram algorithm. It has me down, but I could probably survive dressing myself only from the Todd Snyder emails I get.
5. What’s your personal style signifier?
A flawlessly cut white T-shirt.
6. What are your favorite wardrobe essentials?
Rothy’s white sneakers are endlessly machine washable—amazing travel partners. The cut of any Todd Snyder Polo has never failed me. I feel like it’s cut to my size. And Aimé Leon Dore hoodies support me on any flight.
7. What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
I love driving and mountain biking. Each weekend, I keep an afternoon away from the kids and work, and make sure that I manage one of those two things without caring for how long I’m gone.
8. What does your ideal Sunday look like?
First off, breakfast with my kids—making smoothies and banana pancakes. Then throwing them into the back of the Lancia Delta Integrale and going to our favorite coffee shop, followed by a craft of some sort at home. Handing them to their mom at 1 pm and loading mountain bikes and friends into my truck. On the way home, stopping sweaty and muddy at an extremely nice restaurant where they tolerate us for a Negroni and a steak.
9. Describe an interesting trip you have taken and tell us what’s the next destination on your bucket list.
I’m just back from the UAE where I managed to attend the Bahrain and Jeddah F1 races. I had never been to Saudi Arabia before and I always love being jarred by a new culture. Future trip? I have a wild itch to go spearfishing in the Florida Keys. I feel like a spear gun and those wee James Bond shorts are a solid goal.
10. Tell us what can never be missing in your liquor cabinet.
Macallan 17 Fine Oak – I’m Scottish and a dram is a staple, but I also do love a Negroni. While I was working at Oakley we were acquired by an Italian company: I still travel there a lot, and the Italian lifestyle is now deeply attached to my soul.
11. What are your three favorite books?
This is where my cultured facade crumbles. I don’t read much. I am a daydreamer—I think and I execute. When I read it’s to completely disappear—It’s usually spy novels to switch off.
12. What are your three favorite movies?
The Dark Knight, Raiders Of The Lost Ark and The Fast And The Furious (yep).
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