After watching Simon Spurr prepare for his Spring 2012 show, we already knew what to expect: expertly tailored menswear mixed with subtle hints of country charm (think English riding boots and denim). Of course, the recent CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year nom offered many classic, slim cut, three piece suits, but there were plenty of striped patterns as well.

“The graphic prints were inspired by a guy named Norman Wilkinson who came out with the first version of camouflage for the British navy, called Dazzle Ships in 1920,” Spurr told us backstage. He incorporated the striped, zig-zag patterns into many pieces, including suits, knits, and a blazer or two.

While most men may find the unconventional patterns difficult to pull off, the outerwear, classic cut denim, and sportswear really shined. We loved the smart trench coats and blazers with leather sleeves and quilted leather motorcycle jackets. “I loved that whole lavender segment,” said Brad Goreski—who sat front row with the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Ed Westwick—post show. “I was so excited about that three piece suit with the slight purple pin stripe and the purple shirt.” So were we.

But while you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the effortlessly cool looks that made their way down the runway, the show was the culmination of many hours of work, frantic phone calls and painstakingly precise decision-making. Here, we spend an hour with the designer right before his show, to see all the

Click through for our exclusive minute-by-minute diary of what happened before Spurr’s show, and a gallery of looks.