Archive for October, 2007
Imbalance of trade between the EU and China
Thursday, October 18th, 2007On October 17 the Jeremy Vine programme on Radio 2 was talking about the EU report about the trade imbalance between the EU and China. The programme was asking listeners to phone in saying what the country of origin was on the garments they were wearing. Most garments were in fact made in China. However all our garments are made within the EU because quite simply and maybe suprisingly there is not yet the level of technology and expertise to produce our equivalent quality made to measure tailoring in that part of the world. Putting this in car terms (I am passionate about cars!) Audi BMW and Mercedes are mostly made within the EU and would they sell as well if they were made in China?
A hand crafted Bentley for the price of a Mondeo?
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007Whenever I have had to consult an expert either for medical, business or a tradesman I have always respected the professionalism of a job well done. To be regarded as a professional in any qualification you do need some form of qualifactions to demonstrate that you have the ability to do the job. Many people claim to be “tailors” and “experts” in garment fitting and construction and possibily through well intentioned ignorance make misleading claims and statements not only on their websites but also directly to clients. Armed with a tape measure and minimal practical knowledge they claim to be able to offer top quality “hand made Savile Row” bespoke tailoring at minimal prices. To put it in car terms they are offering a hand crafted Bentley for the price of a Mondeo. Over the next few weeks I will be giving some examples that could come close to contravening the trade descriptions act and also explaining the definition of what is a “hand made” suit and what to ask your tailor. By the way I do have my City & Guilds diplomas in wholesale bespoke tailoringand I was MD of a Leeds based clothing manufacturer producing in excess of 40,000 made to measure suits per year