Page 108 - Bespoke Issue

CLOTHES MAKETH THE MAN
THE ENGLISH DICTIONARY’S DEFINITION OF BESPOKE IS, MADE FOR A PARTICULAR CUSTOMER OR USER.
Having a bespoke out t made is really special. You know that the cloth you chose is being cut to a pattern that is created just
for you. Not only can you have exactly what you want, the choices available in fabric and detailing are endless. I believe the fabrics milled here in English like Bateman Ogden, Holland & Sherry, Lear, Brown and Dunsford are second to none. I also favour Italian fabrics such as Loro Piana. It’s important to understand the use for the garment and gauge the right properties of the fabric to avoid disappointment when worn.
The process is really personal experience. Having run my business Perfectly Attired for over seven years, I have had the privilege of making clothes for national treasures such as Michael Parkinson as well as business moguls and people in the world of sport and politics. I always prepare ideas and think about the out ts I would like to see a client in if we were stepping out. It bodes well, as I often encourage guys into different colours that work better for them. Often men will buy the same thing, just because they generally loathe shopping and its easy.
I see many clients at home with their partners, so it is relaxed and put the fun back into shopping for many men.
I have been lucky to have brand ambassadors from Sport and Media arenas which has been a wonderful endorsement of my work. Stephen Handisides is one of those, he has become well known in the Beauty and Aesthetics world and runs My Face My Body. Each year they have an Industry Awards ceremony here in London. I have been working with him for a few years now. We chose a stunning fabric from Holland & Sherry for his Dinner Suit for this year’s event, blue is a fabulous colour on Steve, but this fabric was a triumph on the night. It has beautiful detailing in the weave and we nished off with a navy velvet trim.
Steve is also presenting a new show which is being televised from now in the UK And USA called the Modern Male Mind Set, www.modernmalemindset. comand his mission is to bring back being dapper. It covers all aspect of lifestyle. As with all of my clients, when we rst start to work together, we looked to create a working wardrobe that would complement the lifestyle. For Steve that meant
personal appearance as well as the business academy type presentations he runs. It needed to be a diverse range of clothes to cater for the many different events in his schedule. After we made the rst one, we got to work on the rest. He tells me having his clothes chosen and made has given him an extra con dence, particularly whilst lming this show.
From the time we take ones’ measurements, suits usually take around six weeks to construct, we have a tting at around week four to ve and make any tweaks or changes before nishing the garment.
It wonderful knowing you have a suit in the works. One of my clients told me that many years ago, in the era of the ‘Tonic' or Mohair, a small amount of money was given to the tailor from his monthly salary, and he always had a suit in the works which I think is truly endearing. Ensuring he was always looking dapper, dressing the part.
It is said clothes maketh the man...
Words Lydia Foulkes Suit Images Paul Ward
108