We caught up with Kouadio for a quickfire Q&A to explore his creative mindset, his love for craftsmanship, and the details that make his world — and his wardrobe — unmistakably his own.

What’s the first stitch you ever sewed?

Adjusting my dad’s suit trousers hems by hand.

Tradition or rebellion?

Rebellion.

The fabric that best describes your character?

Silk and wool blend.

A detail no one notices, but you obsess over?

The gap between your shirt collars and your suit lapels.

Who would you love to tailor a suit for, past or present?

Felix Houphouët-Boigny.

Do you believe style can be an act of exploration?

Absolutely.

What time of day do you feel most creative?

In the evening.

What’s one rule of tailoring you’d break without hesitation?

All of them. Rules are meant to be broken.

Savile Row in one word?

Haute-Couture.

What do you love about London?

The diversity in the culinary scene.

A book or film you return to again and again — what does it teach you?

Old Boy by Park Chan-wook. It teaches me that there’s beauty in chaos.

If you had one hour extra in your day, how would you spend it?

Relax and revive in the sauna.

The scent that transports you — what is it and where does it take you?

The smell of soil after the rain during a hot summer brings me back to my young summers in Yamoussoukro, in Côte d’Ivoire.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Keep going, your vision is worth the hard work. Failure is part of the journey.

Favourite spot in London?

The Other House in South Kensington.

One thing you’ve collected over time — why does it matter to you?

Art, fashion, and design books — it’s important to stay inspired by everything around me.

The one thing you wish you could invent tomorrow.

A pill to make everyone’s bad mental health go away.

What do you look for in quiet moments?

I look for peace to reset my mind.

When was the last time you changed your mind — and about what?

Recently I’ve been mixing casual and smart; since moving to London, sneakers have become part of my staples. Before that, you would have never seen me wearing them.

What’s your “secret” joy — something that makes you happy but few people know?

It’s a secret for a reason :)

What do you wish people understood better about your craft?

You cannot rush the process.

What’s your idea of adventure in the city?

Museum visits, catching up with friends, and a good restaurant.

What’s the boldest leap you’ve ever taken?

Leaving my hometown for Paris to pursue my love for fashion when I was 19 years old.

What’s one boundary you’d still like to push?

Interestingly enough, I’m working on setting my own boundaries with people.

What was your reaction to the Terra Nova Jumping Hour watch?

Futuristic and sleek.

What was your reaction to the style of the Terra Nova Jumping Hour watch? What appealed or stood out?

I love the minimal display of time and the story behind it. It’s historic and also contemporary.