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February 15, 2007

batty tailors....

(Chris and I both in vintage dinner suits from the 40's)

It's been a just over a week since we tailors had our annual posh MTBA dinner, at the lovely Merchant Taylors Hall in The City. Lucy, Claire and Christopher and I all had a wonderful evening. It's a great time to catch up with people in the trade, the old ones and the new ones. They're there from Savile Row, and all over the UK. I think there was over two hundred and fifty people there associated with the trade in one way or another.

It was especially nice to introduce Christopher to fellow tailors and cutters. He's also a very lucky lad in that he won one of the raffle prizes. Not bad going, considering after all the years of going myself, I've never won a thing, or personally known anyone else who has, either. Beginners luck, I guess.

Sadly, at the meal we were told of the sudden loss of Brian Russell. Mr Russell was a cutter and director at Anderson & Sheppard whilst I was there. in the last few years he ran his own successful business in Sackvile Street, just off Savile Row. He was a very well-liked character with a lot of skill. Brian, unsurprisingly was working right up to the day he passed away. He taught me a lot and was always good fun. He's going to be very much missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad time.

We still hope to be in the stables this summer, however we had a slight delay from the local planning office. We have to make sure we don't disturb the barn owls and bats that live in and around the stables. I know it sounds a bit mad, though I think its quite nice to consider them. But the planners are now happy, so tailors, bats and owls will all live happily together.

(Spitfire guarding the fire in our cutting room)

Whilst in London Robert Oakes from Scabal impressed me with their new cloth, "Summit". It's amazing stuff. I think its the most exclusive cloth I know, retailing at an incredible £1500.00 per meter. I'd charge a little over £5000 ( $10,000) for this kit. I think I'd set aside a whole day to cut one of these. I don't think I'll have a long queue of customers for this, but then again, a $10,000 suit is quite a conversation starter, so you never know. If anyone takes the plunge I'll let you know.

( Summit, for the $10,000 suit)

Posted by tom at 4:17 PM | Comments (0)