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December 24, 2006

wheels on the bus go round and round.....

(Here we go, half of Savile Row included)

Well, there we have it. Another busy year over at English Cut. Thankfully we've barely stopped cutting all year. Hopefully we've made a lot of people happy, I know we've all enjoyed ourselves. My apprentice, Christopher is working out well and our other plans are coming together. So I've a lot to be thankful for.

(Three generations of tailoring, myself, Michael who taught me, and now I'm teaching Christopher)

Of course I'm only a small cog in all this. I would have no chance without my friends and colleagues supporting me. With that in mind we had a bit of a special party earlier this month, just as a thank you. As you've probably gathered many of the people in this business are, shall we say, "senior". So I thought it would be nice to get some of the best in the business, plus some good friends and customers to enjoy a jolly day out together.

We had Mr Alexander, a former director Anderson & Sheppard, back when I worked there. My first boss, Michael Wigglesworth of Redmayne. Jim, now from Welsh & Jeffries (20 Savile Row) after eighteen years at Poole's. Jason the shoemaker, and Boyd from Rayner and Sturges. Alison and Kate from Beno Dorn of Chester, a super company that made the suits for the Beatles. It was great to catch up with my pal Edwin of Steed, he was on top form. And of course, Rav from A J Hewitt, and a host of coat makers. One of them, Don Giboys I've worked with for 16 years and never met him till now. So it was a very special day.

(James and Phil wondering how on earth they became my customers)

(Ed, whatever you said, the girls liked it)

I thought this party would be quite a task organize. However I was delighted that so many people would come from London, USA and other distant corners. I guess that's Cumberland working it's old magic again. All I had to do was get my friend to organize a vintage double decker bus and drive us for a posh lunch in the beautiful Leeming House down the road in the glorious Lake Distirct.

(Tony Harris wearing the first suit I ever cut 23 years ago, got his money's worth)

The age range of party-goers was from 19 to 72. We had tailors, cutters, shirtmakers, shoemakers, and governors of both the firms I've worked for. We had customers old and new, and some good pals thrown in for good measure.

(Rav of AJ Hewitt and my lovely Spitfire cufflinks that he gave me)

Anyway, it was just lovely. We had friends from nine different tailoring business's all enjoying the day out as one. I know I've said this before, but the ones who are the Real McCoy consider themselves as one business, regardless of which firm we work for, and we'll go out of our way to help one another. I certainly can't remember a day like this and I doubt there'll be another.

(Our driver and conductor Judith and Malcolm, who were brilliant)

(I think Michaels face says it all)

If you need a photographer who's great at his job and a lot of fun, Roger's your man.

(Ed and I and our dear friend Roger who stayed sober and photographed us all)

From everybody at English Cut, and everyone else involved, we'd like to wish all our readers a wonderful Christmas and peaceful and Happy New Year.

Compliments of The Season!

Posted by tom at 9:29 AM | Comments (0)

December 1, 2006

spitfires and apprentices...

(Claire and Fred discussing the finer points of tailoring)

Well, I'm sorry I've been a little quiet lately, but as always, it's because I've been extremely busy.

I had an excellent trip to the United States, indeed.

It was wonderful to catch up with all my old customers, and meet some new ones as well. Most of my existing customers decided to re-order, a lot. Yes, I consider myself very fortunate to be so busy and yes, I'm delighted new customers are interested in my work. However, this poor tailor can only do so much. So now I'm pulling up the drawbridge for the time being. That means I won't be taking on any more new suit customers until further notice.

Of course, this phase won't last forever. I am sill taking on new shirt customers, and I'm still delighted to hear from you, customer or not, so please keep writing in.

In America I was lucky to have a wonderful new assistant with me, Claire Houston. Claire is studying at Epsom University and is keen to learn the art of hand tailoring. She did a wonderful job for me and was a great help. Lucy couldn't come on this trip as she's on the final hurdle of her college degree. She graduates early next year, so keep your fingers crossed for her; God Willing she'll be on our next trip in March.

And we have some more news for you. You may remember I advertised for an apprentice for myself earlier this year. I had an electronic sackfull of mail arrive in my inbox. I interviewed some wonderful young people, and it was very difficult to make a decision.

(A very serious young striker, Christopher Price)

In the end I chose young Christopher Price. He started with me in September and we've been testing him out in all parts of the business. He's just turned twenty-one and is as keen as mustard. In the run-up to my US visit we worked from 7.00am until 10.00pm every night. So as a result, we've decided he can definitely stay. With the plans that are underway with the stable block I hope Christopher's going to be a far better cutter than myself eventually. Besides, one day I'll be too old for all this running around.

(The new English Cut logo, complete with Supermarine Spitfire incorporated in to the design)

Now what on earth has a Spitfire got to do with all this tailoring talk? Well, I imagine you can guess how much I love this little country of mine, and the businesses and crafts that come out of it. I also have a love of flying (I'm currently studying for my pilot's license) and the Spitfire is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built. The Spitfire was designed out of necessity by a then little-known man who hoped to make a difference. To me it really does represent all that's best about these British Isles, and by having it on my letterhead, it's a constant reminder of why I do what I do.

We asked a super fellow here in Cumbria, Jeremy to design us something incorporating the Spitfire as the English Cut marque, and this is what he came up with. A brilliant piece of work. It's a simple symbol which we'll have in a discreet label in our suits, our shirts and our cashmere scarves.

It will simply mean that anything with the Spitfire marque will be sourced by English Cut. It will have been made in the United Kingdom, and will be of the highest quality available. It's that simple.

If we can't get the best from here, then we won't bother.

When we've made a big dent in the amount of work I've got to do, I promise to write a little more often. You've been e-mailing me some very interesting questions which I'll be delighted to answer, once I can find the time.

Posted by tom at 12:41 PM | Comments (0)