A Manchester designer has recruited a well-known face to help him launch his first clothing collection. Sarah Dunn reports.

There are many sides to Boyzone star Shane Lynch.

From boyband member to drift car racing driver, reality TV show veteran to doting dad and husband, he certainly leads a varied and colourful life.

And now he's set to add fashion collaborator to the list – as he teams up with Manchester designer Leo Armstrong.

The 59-year-old is an established shoe designer with more than 30 years' experience who is now set to produce his first full clothing collection under the brand 1952 – the year he was born.

The Italian-themed range features all of men's staples on a smart casual theme, with a quirky twist.

Leo sums it up: “I'm a bit of a fashion veteran, a bit flamboyant.

“I liked the idea of working with Shane on the collection because he's from the same text book, he likes things a little out of the ordinary too.”

The pair met four years ago and when Leo brought his first collection together, he wanted to share it with Shane.

He fell in love with it – attracted by the smart finish that comes without sacrificing comfort.

Sports-mad Shane, dressed in a motif t-shirt and jeans following a photo shoot for 1952 , explains: “I like to look smart, but I'm often uncomfortable in those kind of clothes and I'm not myself.

“If you can put all the gear on and still feel like yourself then you're on to a winner – and that's what 1952 has done for me.”

The current collection is for spring / summer next year and will be available from retailers from February.

Leo says fine fabrics from all over Italy are key to the collection.

“Almost all of the production comes out of Italy, working in high end Italian mills,” he says.

“The reason I want to keep this Italian flavour is to encourage this European way of life for men where most – whatever age group – dress excellently.

“I want to inspire a real love of clothes which men in England often do not have.”

Shane is due to get involved more with the design side as the brand moves forward. For now, he is endorsing 50 pieces from the collection, and arrived at Manchester's Radisson Edwardian hotel to show them off in our photo shoot.

Leo said: “We didn't have a stylist but it worked because he can put his own clothes together – that's the kind of guy he is and that's why we wanted him involved.”

Shane said it was difficult to choose his favourite pieces, but he liked combining a fitted suit jacket with some of the range's stylish fine knitwear, while the suede purple trousers were another hit.

Key to the singer's image and on show in the shoot are his famous tattoos – including a selection by Manchester-based artist Louis Molloy, who used to do David Beckham's tattoos before he moved stateside to play for LA Galaxy.

"Louis is a proper nice fella," Shane says. "He's done most of my left arm and the designs on one side of my neck. I'd like to go and see him again when I get the other side done, but I've got to achieve something first.”

This is the rule the 34-year-old works towards – undergoing another tattoo at a key milestone in his life.

“When I've done 200mph in my car, I'll go see Louis,” he decides.

It's bound to be another busy year ahead for Shane as he makes his break into the fashion world. He plays Prince Charming in panto at Southport from Thursday. And, at the same time, he's juggling racing commitments and his first solo album.

The record currently has a working title of Raindrop and is summed by Shane as a ' dance / dubstep / Irish flavour' sound – a departure from his boyband roots.

He says Boyzone are likely to have some time off next year, before returning in 2013 to mark their 20th anniversary.

He's not seen Ronan Keating, Mickey Graham and Keith Duffy since their tour finished in August – but jokes that might be no bad thing.

“We're Irish and we like a drink, so you need a break from them fellas after a while for the sake of your poor liver!”

It's his love of a few jars that sees him work out in the gym every day whilst at home in Surrey with wife Sheena White, a singer and make-up artist, and their three-year-old daughter Billie Rae.

“I'm not a big eater,” he confides. “But I'm a big drinker and unfortunately that's full of calories, so I work out as much as I can.”

And with a new branch of his career in the fashion world stretching ahead, looking good is more important than ever.

Although it is still up for debate whether anything can beat the infamous blue dungarees he sported for Boyzone's debut appearance on Irish TV.

Some fashion faux pas simply refuse to go away – although gear like this is sure to help the memories fade.

Visit 1952collection.com.

Tweet