Just a quick interlude to tell you about the open house event I went to last week with my friend Clare. It was part of SohoCreate - a five day festival showcasing the creative talents who live and work in London's Soho. Open Houses are a great opportunity to meet the people behind the names, hear how their creative businesses work and generally have a good nose around!
We went to hear bespoke tailor Mark Powell talk about the world of suits. His suits are amazing - they have a classically tailored look (they wouldn't look out of place in a 1940's gangster film), yet there's something sharp and contemporary about them too. I loved them.
He explained how the same suit jacket block can give two totally different looking suits just by fiddling with the details. For example, he added a velvet collar to one jacket (sorry, no picture) and made another one up in denim. You'd never believe they were the same design!
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| Double breasted denim suit |
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| Look at the detail on that shirt collar! |
One interesting snippet I found out was the cost difference between a ready to wear suit, a made to measure suit and a bespoke suit. A ready to wear suit from his shop costs around £1000, made to measure suits (based on the RTW styles but made up in your exact measurements) cost between £1400-£1800 and a bespoke suit (made from scratch exactly how you want it) starts at £3000. Seeing the beautiful fabrics and linings he uses and the immaculate tailoring up close, I know I'd be tempted to save up for one if I was a suit wearing gent.
It was also great fun hearing him reel off his opinion of various Savile row tailors, "x is alright, y is probably the best cutter on Savile Row, z is a fucking idiot!" Mark Powell is a larger than life character and I could have listened to him talking all day. Sadly we only had an hour, but I did get to see some seriously smart suits!
What a great thing to do! When I read about things like this I wish I still lived in London.
ReplyDeleteI know, events like this make me realise how lucky I am living in London. It was free too! x
DeleteOooo spill the beans on who x, y and z are pleaaaase!!
ReplyDeleteThe reason I put x, y and z is because I can't remember the names! Honest! I'll ask my friend Clare, she might remember. x
DeleteI LOVE men's suits- and ties-and shirts- what a fascinating subject!
ReplyDeleteSo do I! Totally fascinating. x
DeleteThose are absolutely stunning!! Thanks so much for sharing pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I regret not taking my good camera - there would have been LOTS more pictures if I had! x
DeleteI would have loved to have gone to this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post Jane, I never knew that this event existed. I'd have enjoyed it as in big into tailoring. Surprising to see a one button cuff on the double breasted jacket. All very interesting!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, LONDON! I love being Australian & I think we probably have the best climate in the world (well, here on the beach in sunny Queensland!) yet reading this post Jane, it reminds me why London remains my favourite city! What a FUN day you must have had! Yay!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Fantastic suits.
ReplyDeleteVery elegant! With great details. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! These suits are beautiful!
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