Nia: To what extent has your career determined the clothes that are in your wardrobe?

David: You could say it has been a frightfully public career and because of that there was a kind of formality attached to the clothes – the suit. And because the suit was important, there were design elements of the suit that were essential such as pockets, for example. You would carry notes and details for meetings so a suit is a seriously handy thing in that respect, it’s like a sort of filing cabinet that encompasses you in all honesty.

David: And, sometimes, of course, a suit is easier.

Nia: In that you don’t spend time in the mornings deciding what to wear?

David: There’s no fussing about in the mornings. Then you can completely concentrate on the work in hand. Bundle these elements together and a suit is an extremely useful thing.

Nia: Has the fashion side been important to you over the years or just personal taste?

David: Take a spotty tie. I’m very fond of spots but they’re out of fashion these days of course. But, by now, they’re all squares and I don’t like seeing squares on ties, a tie is not meant to be squarish, a tie is supposed to be something circular or one colour of course.

David: I’m very fond of these ties I have. I’m sure that many a person have bigger collections than me, but I like them very much.

Nia: Do you get a lot as presents?

David: Well, not enough. I’d like to receive much more presents!

Nia: Is there a favourite in your tie collection?

David: No, I like them all. This is a nice colour, I do like this tie I must say.

Nia: Do you always wear a handkerchief in your suit pocket?

David: No, not always, only when I remember. Special occasions. Like today.

David: Well, I’m extremely fond of this suit. I bought it in Cannes for the film festival and similar events. To be honest, I was looking for a white suit. A whiter than white one. A white suite with wonderful lapels on it but I didn’t manage to find one anywhere so I had to make do with this colour and I’ve become extremely fond of it. Other colours go well with this suit, blue or red etc.

Nia: What about David Meredith as a person? What do you wear when you’re at home on Saturday?

David: Well, if at all possible, a suit and tie.

Nia: At home?! On Saturday?!

David: Well, I wear a tie every day. The only time I don’t wear a tie is when I’m not wearing a suit which is very rare or when I’m in bed. A tie is a very restrictive item of clothing but at the same time is ‘warm’, that’s the beauty of a tie.

Nia: There’s a photograph of you wearing a t shirt and you told me that you didn’t own one?!

David: Well, I wear this t shirt when I’m by myself in the house sometimes. I designed the t shirt when I used to run my own company, to advertise or to sponsor the International Film Festival.

Nia: But we have to note that you are actually wearing the t shirt over a shirt and tie in the photograph!

David: That’s right. Thank you for pointing that out. You are perfectly right. Perfectly.

Nia: Did you wear big rounded collars during the 70s?

David: Well, it’s quite a disgrace but, yes. They’re very funky now you know.

David: I do like the double breasted suit. They just seem to wrap around you. And it’s not just any kind of beer mat that’s actually in this suit pocket but one that says ‘Dechreuwch bob sgwrs yn Gymraeg’ which translates to ‘Start every conversation in Welsh’.

David: ‘Bolanderi’. I use this term every now and again and nobody understands what I’m talking about. I’ve called this suit, a suit from Moss Bross, ‘Bolanderi’ ever since I bought it, which in fact means a formal suit. This is the suit that I wore for the Oscars, and that doesn’t happen every day does it.

David: I’m extremely fond of this one and I’m so glad that it’s stayed with me for so long and hasn’t become a duster because they’re back in fashion. Nia, good friends of mine have begged me not to wear this with the unkind words of ‘Don’t wear that old coat’ but I’ve challenged them in the past and by now it’s back in fashion.

David: And look at the beauty and style that is before us – the marvelous trees and countryside.

Nia: Although you’ve retired, you’re still a busy man. But does the fact that you still wear a shirt and tie mean somehow that you can’t let go of the work and career?

David: Well, maybe that’s true, maybe there’s some truth in what you say – it’s very difficult to change, but quite honestly, I’m just very fond of a suit and tie. I’m very fond of them, Amen.