Junyin Gibson is the brand and creative manager for UK menswear outfitters Drake’s. Unsurprisingly, he’s a great dresser. “I like to think of my style as practical, considered and reflective of my life; there’s a blend of Hong Kong, my birthplace, and British styles,” says Gibson, who is now based in London.

Gibson oversees collaborations for Drake’s, which include collections with celebrated London restaurant St John and Maine-based boat-shoe specialist Sebago, as well as the making of its lookbooks. Over a drink at Leo’s, his favourite east London spot, Gibson tells us about his sartorial choices and sources of inspiration.

When did you begin to develop an understanding of style?
When I moved to the UK [from Hong Kong] aged 17. Being able to don wax jackets and caps was an exciting change of scene. I became passionate about layering these styles and playing with more colours and textures than before. While I love traditional Eastern styles, Hong Kong is a financial city – and a hot one too – so there’s a limit to which fabrics you can wear.

Who influences what you wear?
First, Drake’s creative director, Michael Hill. The consistency of his styling is what inspired me to adopt more of a uniform and focus on timeless styles rather than reacting to what others wear. When we travel together, he makes sure that we put time aside for exploring – some of my best finds have come from scouring Koenji’s vintage markets in Tokyo. Elsewhere, films such as In the Mood for Love and actors including Tony Leung and Toshiro Mifune have all had an effect on me from early on.

Are there items that you consider to be must-haves?
JM Weston’s 180 loafer is my staple shoe. I never wear lace-up shoes like Oxfords, only loafers. I like the way a good pair of trousers falls above them and they truly make an outfit. You’re always on the move. How do you dress while travelling? You have to be logical and prioritise utility but that’s what some of the best design does. In that regard, a utility vest is perfect for the airport: it’s light, everything you need is on-hand and you can layer it over anything.

How do you weave Eastern styles into your wardrobe while representing such a British brand?
Drake’s travels all over the world and takes inspiration from Japan, the US and beyond. For my own wardrobe, I love to pick up Lee Kung Man’s Henley tees – even Bruce Lee wore them.

Should we all adopt a uniform of sorts?
It makes mornings easier. The majority of my wardrobe works together because I’m always collecting timeless styles and similar silhouettes. When you have a good base of neutrals that work well, you can then throw in pops of colour. I always recommend a jumper or scarf wrapped over the neck.