Menswear has always appealed to my designer sensibility and, in particular, the sense of history and tradition that I find an endless font of inspiration, constantly connecting elements with each new season.
On a recent trip to London, I was reminded of this when walking through Mayfair and my old haunts with London’s Regency Architecture and the Saville Row Tailors. The statue of Beau Brummel at the bottom of Burlington Arcade is a reminder to every menswear aficionado that we all owe this savvy gentleman a great deal for his discovering the power of looking good, evolving his attire, and establishing his personal look as a way to ensure his favor with the king and influence across the country and the world. From then, the idea of men standing out with good taste and style has followed us throughout the centuries, and this sense of Regency dandyism can be found across all menswear ever since, even in modern streetwear, which relies heavily on the status of big logos, exaggerated proportion, and noticeable bling. Even in Beau Brummel’s time, the caricature of his style was mimicked by some, and the streets of London at that time became the first fashion show with parades of gentlemen pushing the boundaries of attire. |
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As part of my London visit, and indeed any visit to some of the major capitals, I have a bit of a retail routine, which involves not only visiting some of the more niche stores and neighborhoods but also the lovely department stores. Walking around the menswear department of Selfridges, I could identify elements of menswear I have known all my life and saw how global menswear brands had evolved this season into their latest collections. Sartorial techniques, soft cuts, and even inviting color palettes in the aisles and displays are things that I think Mr. Brummel would approve of. |
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Working with a collection of custom-made menswear has many advantages for today’s client to express themselves through their clothes in many ways, boldly or discreetly. When adding louder personal touches, he can stand out and make his own statement, or on the other hand, he can choose to understate his personal style with subtlety, which either way can be guided by the expert hand of our Personal Stylists. Getting to know a client and his taste preference is a journey that marries perfecting his fit and establishing knowledge of his wardrobe needs. It is a learning curve for sure, and as trust builds, a good personal stylist will be able to help him in a way that will make it feel effortless for both of them. For our newer stylists, getting to know a client’s taste will help mold the expertise, too, hopefully to a point where they feel comfortable in front of every type of client, knowing that the tools they have can be directed accordingly for the best results. |
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