This was an early blog post from March 2005
"I do think the institution that has clothed most of the world's most influential people for the best part of two hundred years deserves Heritage Status. And it doesn't have it. Unofficially it does, of course. But officially it doesn't.
We have an organization here in the UK called English Heritage; as the name suggests they look after all that’s dear and special to this green & pleasant land. They protect everything from ancient monuments and city parks. Also they help to maintain historical artifacts like old coal mines and waterwheels for future generations. Now what about the tailors? Don’t you think they're part of English Heritage?" http://www.englishcut.com/archives/000040.html
This was his training "I began my career training for 7 years with S. Redmayne, a great little company. After that I spent 5 years with my alma mater, Anderson & Sheppard, the most famous and respected tailor on Savile Row. There I was undercutter to the great Mr. Hallbery, who you could intelligently argue was the greatest tailor of the twentieth century."
He has made work for all sort of folk from Prince Charles to Brian Ferry but the blog is best for it's insight into the trade, what makes the difference between a great bespoke suite and an off the shelf? Having said that he is aware that most of his blog readers are not in the market for a £3,000 suit and gives good advice on choosing a good ready made or "made to measure" (yes that is very different from bespoke). http://www.englishcut.com/archives/000016.html
Posts
Heh. I had been meaning to recommend Thomas's blog to you and point to tailoring as an endangered traditional craft (not quite as endangered as swill basket making, but still rare) and up you pop with a post about exactly that.
ReplyDeleteMy timing sucks