Michael Steward

Michael Steward began his career in visual, stocking the shelves at the Tesco supermarket in St. Albans, Herts, in his native U.K.

He spent his formative career years working for several of London's leading retailers, including Selfridges, Simpsons, Chanel and Scotch House.

Steward eventually went to work for Burberry, which brought him to New York. After acquiring a lifetime worth of plaid, Steward left the company in 2000 to join Adel Rootstein USA, the American office of the London-based mannequin manufacturer, where he holds the title of executive vp.

Steward says Americans could learn nothing about fashion from the Brits. (“Though they could learn everything from the French and Italians.”) But he does believe England is ahead of the U.S. when it comes to retail display.

“In England they still believe in visual departments,” he says.

The way U.S. retailers are using mannequins is explored in “Big was Beautiful at StoreXpo,” a review of the latest mannequin trends as seen among StoreXpo exhibitors – including Rootstein – on page 78, VM+SD, March 2004.

Why do Americans assume all Brits are classy?

Because they are… until you get them home.

What lesson did you learn at your first job that you still carry with you today?

Not to piss off working-class girls who are bigger than me.

What do you particularly dislike about this side of the pond?

Retail being run by bean counters instead of by merchants who much better understand that shopping should be a theatrical and stimulating experience.

If you could star in your own Vegas show, what would it be called?

Mickey Lard Ass and The Boys From Lamaz. (For the Bowie fans!)

Bangers and mash or Big Mac?

It's dinner for two on the terrace at La Mas des Herbes Blanche in Joucas, France.

What New Year's resolutions did you make? Break any yet?

To win the lottery and buy Burberry and make that plaid illegal! Broke that one already!

Who were your childhood heroes?

Noel Coward and Princess Margaret – you know, your average outsiders.

Name one thing you still have left to accomplish in your life?

To get into a 28-inch trouser. (My own, that is!)

Play word association:

London: Oswald Botang.

New York: Oswald Botox.

Las Vegas: Jingling noises in the background that make you think you really should not have gone to Boylesque last night and had that last pink gin.

Define “fashionista” in 10 words or less.

Tighter, shorter! Tighter, shorter! (To quote Carson from “Queer Eye For the Straight Guy.” By the way, who the hell is dressing her???!!!)

What's the best advice you ever got?

When you start to lose your hair, cut it very short. And moisturize with abandon!

The worst?

“Trust me. You don't need your own lawyer.”

Which one-time Michael Steward fashion statement now makes you cringe?

Royal blue crushed-velvet trousers (16-inch flare) with one of my sister's white silk, see-through blouses. Chic but inappropriate at the local youth club in St. Albans. Thirty years later, I would suggest denim, faded and ripped, of course. But no plaid!

What's Michael Steward's flare?

About 12 inches. I said I would never wear them again after the 70s, but you know how fashion loves to make a liar of one.