At the height of the financial crisis a couple of weeks ago, I found myself in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) observing from afar the US-led meltdown in financial liquidity, solvency and accountability with a certain measure of disbelief. Nonetheless, I was in the region on vacation and had a specific place to visit […]
Vietnamese shoemaking: Tran Quoc Lan Read More »
I spent a very pleasant morning today chatting with Sarah Adlam and Emma Lakin. This is their first visit to Los Angeles. I also was there for my fitting, which Emma conducted. Below is their visiting schedule. If you’ve have any interest in fine bespoke shoes, do visit them while they’re here in LA or
Foster & Son fall schedule Read More »
Earlier this year based on a couple of references in an AskAndy thread, I decided to drop by Enzo Caruso on Ocean Park Blvd in Santa Monica. For some reason, I had thought he was an alterations tailor but it turns out Caruso is a bespoke/custom tailor. He has a nice selection of Italian and
Enzo Caruso: A bespoke tailor in Santa Monica Read More »
View Larger Map After a couple of years scouting this city for its tailoring gems, I’m ready to provide a more complete list of LA custom or bespoke tailors. There seem to be three categories of bench tailors in the city of angels: Armenians (Novex, Gary Gagossian and Anto Shirtmakers). Harold is the tailor behind
Los Angeles bespoke tailors: An updated list Read More »
The clothier is an interesting animal, commonly encountered in mid-sized and large American cities. He serves a useful purpose I think. The clothier occupies that middle position between a trained tailor and a pure salesman on the retail floor. Given enough experience and a good eye, he is well positioned to dispense advice and serve
The American clothier: Martin Greenfield, Adrian Jules, Jack Taylor Read More »
On the Kilgour website a few years ago, I read an article which described some of the details of an earlier buyout of Kilgour. If I remember correctly, I believe it cited the acquisition price as 1.8 million pounds. What I find remarkable is how relatively inexpensive that is – only about $3.5 million for
Savile Row and the business of bespoke tailoring Read More »
Citing a recent Gallup Poll, the Wall Street Journal reported that just 6 percent of men wear neckties to work everyday, a decline from 10 percent in 2002. Responding to this steadily declining demand, American suppliers and manufacturers of neckwear announced the disbanding of the 60-year old Men’s Dress Furnishings Association this summer. I find
The decline of ties and neckwear Read More »
The role of print media, especially prior to television, was highly influential in setting and calibrating standards and tastes in men’s clothing. Much the way that some newspapers used to be considered newspapers of record, certain magazines played that role for men’s clothing. Apparel Arts used to be such a magazine of record and standard
Apparel Arts/GQ magazine covers (1957 to 2000s) Read More »
Sign up and get the latest on the new Sleevehead Forum and other news