I LOVE solo ocean yacht racing – when nutters sail around the world non-stop, on their own. I have been working in the sport of solo ocean racing on and off for around 15 years.

This winter, I was one of three English editors and broadcasters who worked on the pinnacle of solo ocean racing, the Vendée Globe.

The official clothing supplier was a sassy new French brand called Vicomte A. – the brainchild of French aristocrat Arthur de Soultrait, infamous for inviting Pippa Middleton to his masquerade ball birthday party and then one of his friends brandishing a replica gun at the paparazzi.

“Quelle horreur,” the British media cried and printed pages and pages of outrage.

I have met him a few times and he has never brandished his weapon, fake or otherwise, at me. Are we buddies? I am not sure, but I definitely like him. I wrote an article in my space at Huffington Post, declaring his clothes the Ancien Régime meets punk meets tweed.

Arthur himself would sit comfortably in the English country set and there is nothing he likes to do more than shoot some ducks. While I was hanging out with his brother on the balcony of their champagne bar in the Vendée Globe race village, eating foie gras-filled sweet macaroons (they were a bit odd to be honest), he casually mentioned that they hung out with the Astors – did I know them? Err, no. I don’t know anyone like that at all.

A few weeks ago I was invited up to the King’s Road, Chelsea to check out the latest collection. I did suggest maybe opening the next store in Salisbury as Salisbury is very ‘de rigueur’ don’t you know. I am not holding my breath but if he does then you heard it here first.

The autumn/winter collection is a solid collection crafted by Brit designer James Harvey Kelly using strong fabrics and taking inspiration from British tailoring, including Black Watch tweed.

Well, my husband is from Aberfeldy where the Black Watch was founded, plus his father served his national service with the Black Watch; so that was a nice little connection. However, I am not so keen on a tartan, check or tweed. This year’s collection was more purples and greens, which is good for winter, I guess, but for me the reason I love Vicomte A. is for the pink. Arthur is renowned for his signature “as bold can be” bright pink, and I just can’t get enough of it. In this winter collection, as good as it was, there simply wasn’t enough pink for me.

  • Writer & journalist Clare Macnaughton’s latest book is available on Amazon.

Follow Clare on twitter: @amodmilitarymum Blog: amodernmilitary mother.com