Part of the mystery of Ray Kelvin, is that he will not be photographed without something (or someone) blocking his face.

Choosing between sweaters that each cost less than $300 while sipping on tea doesn’t sound like the typical shopping experience in a designer boutique. But then again, Ted Baker isn’t your average designer brand. And, just between you and us, Ted Baker isn’t even a real person. The brains that dreamed up the hip yet affordable clothing line recently found a new home at 201 Newbury Street are CEO Ray Kelvin’s. When I visited the boutique the day after store’s opening to meet this elusive Mr. Baker– we mean, Kelvin–we expected a stereotypical big time CEO. You know the type: Seems like one of your Dad’s scotch-swilling buddies who talks to you like you’re twelve. But, boy were we wrong.

Wearing (very) skinny jeans, a vest, and thick black-framed glasses, Kelvin strolled through the doors of his new Boston boutique lamenting– and not so quietly– in his English accent that our fair city was in dire need of more porridge purveyors. (In Bostonian, that translates to be oatmeal). Instead of an awkward air kiss or two, Kelvin greeted us with a big bear hug.

And then we got to chatting:
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