Men's Style Q&A: Tony O'Connor of M&S Tony O'Connor, the man who has put the oomph back in Marks & Spencer menswear, takes the questions on matters of men's style. Tony O'Connor is the head of design for Marks & Spencer menswear. He studied fashion design at Newcastle University and, on graduating, was immediately signed up by Next, where he rose from assistant designer to become head of design. After a spell as creative director at Moss Bros, he joined M&S. In his spare time he is a keen photographer. Describe your personal style My personal style is never far away from a piece of formalwear. My look often includes a pocket square and formal British shoes. What to you is the essence of men's style? To me confidence and masculinity are essential. What was the first item of clothing you ever bought for yourself? I remember saving up for my first pair of Italian shoes that I bought in Newcastle. They were loved, polished and kept in their original box until recently when they were lost when I moved house. Any fashion teenage faux-pas you'd rather forget...? The New Romantics - it was the uniform of art college! Left: Autograph bomber jacket, £69, Autograph jumper, £35, scarf, £15, and hat, £17.50. Right: blazer, £49.50, waistcoat, £35, shirt, £25, and cords, £29.50; all Limited Collection. Tell us about the oldest item in your wardrobe, or the thing you'll never, ever throw out I have a fabulous pair of gold 1970s cufflinks that were bought for me by my favourite aunt. What are your sartorial pet hates, and why? Tight trousers on men and overuse of aftershave. How many pairs of shoes do you have? And jeans? I have 12 pairs of shoes and 10 pairs of jeans, eight of which are exactly the same style. This autumn you're mainly wearing... A lot of flannel, in the form of suiting, jackets and ties. Who are your style heroes (living or dead)? As young men, Hugh Hefner and Oliver Reed. They had a sexy masculine style. Left: trench coat, £135, Collezione blazer, £99, Collezione shirt, £39.50, and Collezione tie, £19.50. Right: bomber, £99, jumper, £39.50, shirt, £29.50, and tie, £19.50; all Autograph. In a parallel life, what would you be doing instead of your current job? Fashion photography. Which designers do you really admire? Halston for defining the 1970s and Tom Ford for glamour. Who are the best dressed: the British, Frenchmen, Italians or Americans? It's got to be the British! And, finally, your favourite piece from M&S this autumn... Definitely the British tweed hunting jacket. marksandspencer.com