Come Dine With Me… Dansplaining

“I love interviewing people with good stories and a sense of humour. At the end of the day, it's entertainment.” 
- Danny Lomas 

Danny, along with two of his best friends Jordan Rason and producer Matt Brown, make up the tripod at the foundation of Dansplaining - London’s leading fashion and beauty podcast. We caught up with Danny and Jordan just a stone’s throw from Browns HQ at their favourite local and, this time, they were in the hot seat...

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Hello! Where are you guys today? What are you eating and drinking?
Danny: We’re at The Bricklayers Arms in Charlotte Road, Shoreditch and currently eating a gourmet assortment of crisps and snacks from the off-licence down the road, washed down with a few beers.

Jordan: I suppose this pub is our second home. It’s slap bang in the middle of our office and Danny’s flat so it ends up being a meeting spot for us. I’m drinking lager and Dan’s got a warm ale.

Why do you love it at The Bricklayers Arms so much?
Danny: It’s one of the last few pubs in this area that hasn’t been bastardised and turned into a gastro pub. We know that when we head down, we'll always bump into someone we know.

Jordan: There are a lot of creative businesses around so there are always interesting people to meet and grab a drink with. The staff are great and we get some preferential treatment like the occasional free drink and some credit on the jukebox. These little things really make it feel like it’s our local.

Where and when did you both meet?
Danny: We used to work together on a YouTube show named PAQ where I was presenting and Jordan was a director. I was living in Yorkshire at the time and then when I moved down I was in a flat in Hackney Downs, two minutes walk from Jordan and Matt. They took me under their wing as I was new to the city, and naturally we’d spend a lot of time in the pub after shoots!

Jordan: I didn’t really have too many interactions with the presenters at PAQ. Danny wanted a pair of snakeskin Palace boots and he was pointed my way to sort him out. After that we started going to the pub, chatting about clothes and became good friends.

How did Dansplaining come about?
Danny: There was a gap in the UK for a fashion/style podcast that didn't feel like you were in a lecture. We had an amazing roster of friends in the industry and guests we had access to, so we thought it would make sense to throw our hat into the ring. Here we are a year(ish) down the line!

Jordan: When PAQ came to an end, I’d already started my own creative agency with Matt Brown. And Danny’s great at interacting with people. I’ve worked with lots of talent before but, without a doubt, he’s one of the nicest, most approachable presenters I’ve met. Good at chatting, loves clothes and can make the occasional funny remark(!).

Favourite guests you've had on the podcast so far?
Danny: We’ve had such a varied range of guests at this point, each with different perks and quirks. Jack Guinness was fantastic.

Jordan: Browns’ Thom Scherdel was amazing, teaching us more about what goes into the role of a buyer and understanding how and why he makes decisions. His understanding of the fashion industry and his references were exactly what I love about the podcast. 

I loved talking to Tom Chamberlain from The Rake, someone from a completely different world, one that can seem elitist and one that I don't know a great deal about. The way he spoke to us and about the magazine left me wanting to get a custom suit and head to my nearest cigar lounge.

And your dream guests of all time that you'd love to have on the podcast?
Danny: Paul Weller would be fantastic, I’d love to hear his stories. He’s the figurehead of the Mods who influenced a whole generation of style. Having been raised on the Jam and The Style Council, my mum would be chuffed too…

Jordan: I really like Emma Chamberlain - seeing how she’s grown as a creator is really inspiring and how she’s shaken off the ‘YouTuber’ tag to move into that luxury world. Also: Hector Bellerin, LaKeith Stanfield, Emma Corrin, Dua Lipa and Samuel Hine are all people who I think have great personal style and I care about what they wear. I think that would translate into really great conversations.

Best thing you've ever learnt from a podcast guest?
Danny: A few guests have said this, but it's always along the lines of ‘don't be a d***’. Such a simple piece of information but one of the most important when you're trying to make a career in the industry. A non-verbal lesson I've learned is how to speak to different people to get the best out of them. Of course you always want to be yourself, but the tone of voice varies massively.

Jordan: When we hadn’t put a single episode out we had people like Richard Biedul, Jack Guinness, Tora Northman and Nigel Cabourn recording with us. At that moment there was no upside for them but they were doing it simply to support us. That will always be appreciated and when we can support them we make sure we do. So I suppose the biggest thing I’ve learnt - support your friends and help them on their journey.

What are your greatest achievements so far?
Danny: The growth from being a kid from Yorkshire working at a skatepark, to interviewing the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Hailey Bieber and Billie Eilish for some of my favourite brands is pretty mental.

Jordan: Having a business where I get to work with two of my best friends doing something that we love, that we were basically doing every day in the pub anyway, is pretty amazing.

If Dansplaining were a dish, what would it be? And why?
Danny: I know Jordan has a witty answer, so I'll let him say it (lol). 

Jordan: We decided from the start that the podcast would always be about the guest and we would be secondary, adding a little flavour to their story. So I would say that we are like salt and pepper, and the guest is the main dish. We are just there to enhance the experience a bit.

Favourite thing to eat?
Danny: I've definitely branched out a lot more since over the last six years. I've never been a fussy eater but the options in Yorkshire are super limited when it comes to either authentic cuisines or fine dining. In general it has to be pasta! And I’m a big seafood lover.

Jordan: Food is linked emotionally to me, so it has to be something that brings me joy. One of my best friends lives in Biarritz so I try to go as much as possible. It’s so simple, but when I’m sitting on the beach, making my own little terrible baguette of cheese, ham and crisps with the sun beaming down, it’s pure bliss.

Least favourite thing to eat?
Danny: Despite broadening my horizons, there's still a limit! I'm not a fan of anything that makes me think about what I'm eating long after it's settled. Like snails. 

Jordan: I’m heading to the Philippines at the end of the year and although I haven't eaten it yet, I'm claiming Balut. I’ve been told that I will be offered it and if I refuse I’ll be insulting my girlfriend’s family. I’ve spent a lot of time on TikTok watching people eating it and it’s done nothing to help quell my fears. 

What's your earliest food memory?
Danny: Sunday roast every week at my parent’s house, with proper Yorkshire puddings that end up about five inches tall. 

Jordan: Being around five years old and sitting in an Indian on Lea Bridge Road waiting to pick up takeaway with my dad. I would sit there and eat Bombay mix, I was obsessed with it.

What would your last meal be and where would you want to eat it?
Danny: Maybe somewhere in the South of France with good wine and good company watching the sunset after spending the day in the sun. I’d go all out with a ridiculous tasting menu of wonderful stuff I haven't tried before.

Jordan: To start, some truffle and nduja arancini. Then a medium rare steak with fries, mash, gravy, honey carrots, creamed spinach and some buttered greens. I don't normally order dessert but if there’s sticky toffee pudding on the menu I have to try it. All washed down with a chocolate milkshake and full fat glass bottle of Coke. As for where, I’m always happiest in a hot country watching a sunset… So let's say Guethary by the water.

If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Danny: I could eat Japanese food 24/7, but I’ve always loved how Italians have such a long lifespan despite food there being ‘not the most cholesterol friendly’. Washed down with plenty of wine. Shows that the way of life and company plays a big part!

Jordan: It has to be Italian! Amalfi’s fresh fish. Different cured meats and cheeses from each region. One of my favourite restaurants is Trattoria Sostanza in Florence and they do this Florentine butter chicken that I dream about. 

Favourite date spot in London?
Danny: Funnily enough I've had a few first dates here! I feel The Bricklayers is good for a first date as it's super informal and can break the ice over a pint. Otherwise, I know it's super cliché, but Columbia Road Flower Market in the sun, then chilling on London Fields would always be a great day. 

Jordan: Forza Win in Camberwell. If you sit in the window it’s great for a bit of people watching, ensuring that you always have something to talk about. The decor is cool, but not too fancy and the food is great. 

Favourite restaurant in the world? What are you ordering there?
Danny: I rarely visit the same place twice as there are so many options to eat out. Recently I'd say Oranj in Shoreditch is ace - the menu changes as they have guest chefs every week. The scallops were incredible and for pudding, you have to try the potato and bacon caramel sorbet. Nothing in there will let you down.

Jordan: No matter how good the food is, you have to have the right company. The most enjoyable dining experience I’ve ever had was at Kismet in LA - I went with my friends to celebrate Matt’s birthday and we sat for hours chatting and ordering the whole menu. The staff were amazing, engaged without being intrusive and they kept bringing out new things for us to try. It’s Middle Eastern food so lots of breads, dips and well flavoured vegetables.

What three people (living or dead) are at your dream dinner table?
Danny: Dexter Black, Shaquille Aaron Keith and Elias Riadi. Get the band back together and have a good reminiscing session.

Jordan: I'm obsessed with a show called Race Across The World. Ladi is the nicest human being I've ever seen in my life. So me and Ladi can talk while Adele and James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem sort out the ambience. 

Speaking of your dream dinner party... What are you cooking?
Danny: Good lord, I’m a terrible chef myself… Although I do actually make a pretty banging coffee cake if that counts? I’d much rather eat out somewhere! 

Jordan: The idea of being in the kitchen whilst your friends are sitting in the other room doesn’t make sense to me, so it’d have to be something that all goes into one pot, like a lamb tagine. 

In your opinion, which designers have the best taste?
Danny: The obvious choice is Our Legacy, they never seem to miss. I love independent designers too and recently came across JUNTAE KIM through Browns, and now they’re one of my favourites. 

Jordan: Raf Simons. I’m a huge Prada fan and I feel that the collections have improved season on season since he’s been there. 

What's next for Dansplaining?
Danny: Short term - trips abroad (especially USA). Longer term, I’d love to do more collaborative work, like hosting events and clothing collaborations with crazy guests. Also the stuff around brands to dive into their world - like visiting Haeckels in Margate and, of course, this shoot with Browns! They’re the fun things outside of the pod that I enjoy the most.

Jordan: The immediate is a hangover I expect! And after that, just keep growing and booking interesting guests. We’ve just done our first live show - we both enjoyed it (and weren't terrible either!) so we’ll look at doing more of those.

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Wherever you get your podcast fix, listen to our very own buying manager, Thom Scherdel on the Dansplaning pod now. Sign up to Patreon to become part of their growing community, enjoy bonus content and enter their exclusive Browns giveaway. Discover more over on Instragram @dansplainingpod. 

Photography: Jonathan Middleton
Styling: Sally Bottomley
Words: Sophy Davis Russell

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