Michael McPhie

Executive VP of Corporate Development, Exeter Resource Corp.

This is a casual look. Do you dress for work like this?
This is more an after-hours or Friday look, as opposed to what I would wear day to day at the office. But I’m also transitioning a bit; when I was the president of the B.C. Mining Association, I had to maintain a certain look of suit and tie pretty much every day. I like dressing up, but not every day.

So new position, new wardrobe?
There’s been a bit of that. There’s a gentleman that I work with at Harry Rosen named Alfred Gagnon. I talked to him about changing my career and dressing down a little bit. He recommended these jeans, and I’ve loved them ever since I got them.

They definitely don’t look like they came from Mark’s Work Wearhouse.
They’re certainly not $50 off-the-rack ones. They’re a little more expensive than what you might typically pay, but I expect I’ll have them for a long time. They fit really well and they feel great on. They’re Agave and they’re handmade in California. I don’t think it would be appropriate to wear jeans with a ripped knee and frayed ends to work, but if you can find some stylish ones that fit you well, why not?

What else are you wearing?
One of my favourite designers, because it fits me, is Hugo Boss, which is what this jacket is. My shirt is also Hugo Boss, and it’s been tailored to fit me. That’s one thing I’ve learned over the last couple of years: get tailored shirts. I first got one when I was travelling through Hong Kong and I was like, wow, this is amazing. I absolutely swear by them now.

Any fashion regrets in your past?
I celebrated my 20th high-school reunion last year, and some photographs were put up. I was into really bad black-and-white concert shirts and high-top basketball shoes, and I had long hair and a moustache. It was right out of AC/DC. I shuddered when I saw it.