Johnnie Walker’s Walk with Giants – Oswald Boateng

Johnnie Walker’s ‘Walk With Giants’ is an inspirational series of stories, told by the world’s greatest icons, considered as innovators in their particular fields: Richard Branson, John Hegarty, Lewis Hamilton, or Ranulph Fiennes. These audio-walks can be listened online or downloaded.

The podcast that particularly caught our attention was the interview with Oswald Boateng, the brightest name in tailoring. Johnnie Walker invites us to walk with Oswald Boateng as he tells us about his career and where he is heading next in the journey of life.

Boateng is considered by many to have revolutionised tailoring to make the traditional suit a contemporary must-have item, and for drawing a younger crowd to the world famous Savile Row in London. Boateng was also the first tailor to stage a catwalk show in Paris, he was appointed Creative Director of Menswear at Givenchy in 2003 (he left Givenchy in 2007) and was awarded an OBE for his contributions towards the tailoring industry.  His designs have drawn a prominent clientele list which includes leading Hollywood actors, musicians and sports stars such as Brad Pitt, Chris Rock, Herbie Hancock, Spike Lee, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Jonathan Ross.

In this Johnnie Walker podcast, Boateng invites us to take a stroll with him down Savile Row. He discusses his early ambitions and the times when he wandered down the Row and had a ‘flicker of vision’ of one day owning a store there – a dream that was later realised. Boateng takes us through key steps in his career, from walking down the ‘melting pot’ of Portobello Road, ‘risking every penny’ for the 1994 catwalk show which ‘made tailoring fashionable’,  as well as never losing faith or doubting his desire to achieve even during the  ‘dark days’ when his company almost went into receivership. Boateng also expresses his total belief that when you wear his suit, he is helping you be in tune with yourself and your spirit.

The talk also includes anecdotes about meeting famous clients from the entertainment world, such as Daniel Day Lewis picking up an Academy Award in a Boateng suit, Will Smith, Spike Lee as well as rock ‘n’ roll greats Jimmy Page and Mick Jagger. You will also hear why President Obama impresses Boateng, his hopes of becoming a Young Global Leader and what he wants to achieve in Africa.

Listen to the full podcast here

The posdcast series Walk With Giants is available for free on ITunes