Paul Weller's latest Fred Perry shirt

This June will see a totally original Weller limited edition jersey cotton shirt designed for Fred Perry drop, and to be able to buy one 72 hours ahead of general online release, you need to pre-register with Fred Perry.

Back in August 2006 Weller's version of a classic 1962 Fred Perry polo shirt was so popular that 10,000 people registered to purchase one of just 750 limited editions available across all sizes. Those selected were allocated time slots to enter the online shop and there were a fair few disappointed fans.

Weller has created a collarless shirt with contrast stitching in four colourways - black/liquorice, dark chocolate/liquorice, white/navy, lake/navy. Having also designed a range of shoes for Hudson in 2002 and a shirt for Ben Sherman in 2007, Weller has developed well impressive design skills and was, we're reliably informed, totally involved in all stages of this shirt's development from sketches, choosing swatches and dictating every detail including the curved side vents (which with grandad collar gives the shirt a tunic feel) placket and buttons. Each shirt bears Paul's signature on its label. The shirts will retail at £65 each and sizes range from 36" (suitable for the ladeez) to 44" inch chest.

These are busy days in Weller's world: there's a UK and Irish tour in May where fans might catch a glimpse of Weller wearing the shirt on stage before the June release and a new album, 22 Dreams comes out on June 2nd. Weller also recently teamed-up with bespoke publishers Genesis Publications to create A Thousand Things, a hand-bound limited edition book documenting his recording career with words written by the man himself. Weller's official website promises a relaunch very soon, but after the closure of its forum last year, hardcore fans have been gathering on the unofficial Paul Weller Chat website.

Words: Marian Buckley
Photograph: Lawrence Watson