Uncategorized Category Archive
Christmas in South Africa
Friday, January 11th, 2008To escape the winter cold we spent the Christmas holiday in the Cape Town and wine lands area staying in 3 very different but fabulous hotels. It did strike me that judging a hotel is similar to that of a suit. Both fulfil a basic need but potentially everybody is influenced by different factors such as price, quality, service, style, exclusivity etc. More travellers today are opting for a ‘tailored’ holiday specifying their itinerary and the type of hotels they wish to stay in. The same now applies to tailored clothing as our made to measure does offer value for money, quality, service, style, exclusivity and you can specify down to every last detail - a really unique tailoring experience.
The hotels we stayed at
The Vineyard www.vineyard.co.za
Mont Rochelle www.montrocelle.co.za
Hout May Manor www.houtbaymanor.co.za
We also dined in some amazing restaurants and I will be delighted to email the names.
I look for high standards for myself and so do my clients when buying a suit from me.
Things we take for granted
Friday, January 11th, 2008Last week I had the privilege of measuring a blind gentleman for a new 3 piece suit. Just recently he had also had made 2 suits by a north Leeds tailor. I did ask what he thought of the other suits “not a lot” he said. The standard of manufacture wasn’t good but then I thought a blind man wouldn’t know the difference. How wrong I was!!! I then tried him on with a master model in his size and he said” this feels wonderful, different class to the other suit; I could wear this without alteration”. I have clients from every conceivable walk of life and income bracket but I must say it was a privilege and humbling experience to meet this gentleman and listen to his life story about his life in the mining industry and how he became completely blind 10 years ago. Despite all the odds he never lost his faith in the Church. It made me realise that how we all take everything for granted. On a lighter note it goes to show that even a blind man can appreciate the quality, fit and feel of our suits.
Gordon Brown’s new image
Thursday, November 29th, 2007The events of the last few months may have tarnished Gordon Brown’s political image. His satorial image however has improved dramatically with a new hair style, white teeth, new shirts, new suit, new smile. Even number 10 paid £3000 for a set of white tails for the Mansion House dinner. Unfortunately the fit isn’t very good as the jacket back doesn’t seem to drape correctly and there is something wrong with the sleeves as they appear distorted when he lifts his arms. The sleeves on his lounge suits look OK. Along with floods, bird flu, Northern Rock, missing CD’s, dodgy donations you can’t blame the man for things beyond his immediate control or can you?
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