Between the launch of his first stand-alone men's store in New York this past Spring and the opening of his new 5,000 square foot Beverly Hills flagship this month (not to mention stores in the Hamptons and a second one in Malibu already in the works), James Perse is a busy man. But not too busy to tell us how he spends his scarce snippets of free time. As with any overachiever, that includes more work––like planning his first hotel in Mexico.

Your line was born out of the search for the perfect baseball cap—has working in the fashion industry for 11 years dulled your interest in sports?

No, I love hockey, I’ve been playing it since I was 3 or 4. I still play—for the past 10 years my friends and I have belonged to a league down at Health South by LAX, where we play every Friday.

Who's your favorite team? 

I love the Kings, they may not be what they used to be, but I’ll always be loyal to them.

We've also heard you surf and hike. Where's the best spot to surf?

I go to Malibu Road, even though most people will tell you Surfriders is the best place to go. It just gets way too crowded for me.

And your favorite place to go hiking?

Malibu, up Escondido Canyon. I take my dog Charles with me.

Are you into the nightlife? Where do you go out? 

I hate to go out, you will not see me out. I’m a workaholic and I much prefer to stay in.

Do you ever go out to eat?

I usually eat-in, but I do love the food at Chaya Brasserie. I used to go there a lot when I was younger.

Do you wear your own stuff?

I live in my stuff. Everyone says I have a uniform, which changes every couple of years. Right now it’s a pair of worn-in khakis, a vintage leather belt—which we’re copying for the line—a T-shirt, white slide-on Vans and a Chrome Hearts baseball cap.

Since your line is mainly basics, where do you shop when you need to dress up? 

I really don’t shop, so I dig up my old Prada stuff. But, if I have to get something new, I go to Maxfield for more Prada. Or I wear Helmut Lang—but not new Helmut Lang. I’m a big fan of his old stuff.

You've said that minimalist architecture influences your collection, where are your favorite buildings in L.A.?

 L.A. architecture is a tough call, since this city isn’t really known for that. The interesting thing is that L.A.’s architecture is very hidden; you have to look for it. There are a few cool Neutra houses, one in Pasadena and one up Mulholland. For me, Neutra really encapsulates California living, he's able to blend the outdoors with the indoors.

We hear there's a James Perse hotel in the works; what's the scoop?

It’s really just in the planning phases right now, but it’s going to be in Baja. I want to take the look of the West Coast mid-century modern homes like the one I grew up in and adapt that style to the landscape so it looks like it fits in. Kind of Luis Barragán-style. It will be eco-friendly and upscale but in a simplified way; exclusive, with very high levels of taste and manufacturing—that's what I love. --Lyndsey Saul

Lyndsey Saul, Style and Beauty Editor, Lsaul@la.com (818)713-3902