WALKING the avenues of Manhattan, it’s easy to distinguish cubicle denizens from visitors. Apart from the slung cameras, mishmash of Hawaiian shirts, Bermuda shorts, craned necks and gaggle of bored teenagers in tow, the professional business image in the north east of the US remains what it has been for the last 100 years. For men, a simple collection of white collared shirts, dark suits, ties and formal shoes.

Individualism is expressed through subtle cues — the herringbone in the suit fabric, the delicate tracery of royal blue diamonds on a light blue tie, faint stripes in the structure of the shirt. Even cufflinks declaring ‘World’s best Dad’. For women, a similar fate. The little black dress is a popular choice second only to the light blouse, highlighting piece of jewellery, medium length pencil skirt in dark colour and the inevitable high heel clacking down the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue.