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February 27, 2009

i should be so lucky.....

(easy outside the hall)

We're all hard at here getting the finished work ready and shipped to my US clients and then preparing all the new orders for fitting when I arrive in March. There never seems to be enough time but we always manage eventually.

Paul Griffiths who makes many of our English Cut clothes has decided to treat himself for his fortieth birthday. He's decided to make himself a lovely jacket that he can wear at a lot of occasions with more casual trousers, jeans or chinos. For a tailor to have a coat made may not seem like much of a treat but I assure you this is a luxury we're very rarely afforded. Clients have often noted how much I often wear my "favourite" suit. This is more to do with the fact that's it's my only suit! You see we usually have only one complaint levelled at us here at English Cut and Savile Row in general in that we're too slow. Consequentially we very rarely have anything made for ourselves. Remember the old saying "the cobblers children have no shoes"

(front drape and a little ribbon)

Anyway I though you'd like to see these pics of Paul's new jacket. In the trade we always argue who has the most influence on good work, tailor or cutter? I don't argue because I know we're both interdependent on each other but it always makes for lively conversation in the pub. I drafted the pattern and cut the jacket with Paul and explained everything that I was doing which after 24 years in the trade he'd never actually witnessed before. It was lovely to forget business for a while and work with a good friend to create something we both love. I know this sounds cheesy but it was a lovely reminder of how fantastically lucky we are to do this for a living.

(back drape and notice the yoke)

(very fancy)

I cut Paul a classic draped jacket in our usual style from an H.Lessers fabric. However to make it a little different we cut a back yoke and Paul added patch pockets and one of his very posh linings, covered buttons and a nice slip of ribbon on the out breast pocket. He put on a velvet undercollar and had a bit of fun with the button holes. All in all we're all amazed here because he looks a stone lighter and doesn't want to take it off. He's having a night out in the west end of London this weekend with pals and some clients. So if you see him get him a pint for his birthday.

Posted by tom at 9:52 AM | Comments (5)