THE STYLE FILE Nathan Palmer
Nathan with his three gorgeous children, Monaco, Nathan and Obi
Tailor made for the job The Penarth based fashion designer reveals the most important aspect of his life’s work is being a dad Nathan’s boys modelling for a wedding shoot
“I have come to learn that stepping back will allow my children to grow into a better version of themselves”
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have recently styled new people, reached new audiences, and stepped out of my comfort zone. Mathew Prichard, famous skateboarder and triathlete, rocked one of my jackets for the first Dirty Vegan cookbook. Callum Daniel aka @icoderobots, the 10 year old genius and CEO of iCodeRobots and official LEGO YouTube presenter, wore a tailored suit for the Screen Nation Awards. A bright lad in one of my bright suits – what an honour. I was even more proud when he also appeared in my one of my suits on the red carpet of the première of Aladdin, where he met and was photographed with stars such as Will Smith and Guy Ritchie. I always find it fascinating and exciting to venture into new horizons and create custom garments for customers passionate about what they do. I have designed sportswear before with Welsh boxer’s Lee Selby’s fight shorts, and more recently was tasked with the honour of creating an equestrian jacket when I made a custom piece for dressage trainer Shelly Harriss.
Back in April I judged Miss Wales at the Riverfront in Newport. It was a privilege to be a judge in a national competition, surrounded by people who love and respect fashion and integrity. Congratulations to Gabriella Jukes for winning the crown and good luck at the Miss World Thailand in November and December to represent Wales. My suits also took part in two recent photoshoots as well, both at Tredillion Park with See & Sky Photography, on the 2 and 29 of April. The photos will be featured on the Tredillion website, the National Wedding Blog and in multiple wedding magazines. Weddings are one of the most magical events one could experience in life, and to be a part of that, in a way that is commemorated forever through photographs and memories, makes what I do worthwhile. But there was another reason I loved doing this, the photos featured both my sons. Every part of my work helps me grow as a person, and as a stylist. However one of the most important aspects of my job is making my children, Monaco, 10 years old,
Callum Daniel, right, wearing one of Nathan’s designs, meets film superstar Will Smith
Nathan Jnr seven years old and Obi James, four years old, proud. While I admit, it is hard at times to balance my work and business with being a dad, it doesn’t stop me striving to be the best father I can possibly be. By working in such a creative career, I hope to encourage individuality and allow them to create their own personalities. They will also, hopefully, be just as creative as me, or more so even. As a parent, I worry a lot about them, and I still want to coddle and protect them. But I have come to learn that stepping back will allow them to grow into a better version of themselves. I will always push them to follow their dreams – I didn’t follow a stereotypical, scientific route, so why should my children? As cheesy as it sounds, I just want them to love what they’re doing, and for it to fulfill them as much as possible. That’s all a parent can want really: a happy, fulfilled child, who is both proud of themselves and makes their parents proud. n For more: www.nathanpalmer.co.uk
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