The London Lounge

Gentlemen

As there is just time to pick up a bargain before the festive season starts in earnest do we know of any, what could be described as re-labelled quality items. I seem to remember watching a TV program many years ago in which Sir John Harvey Jones was amazed to learn that the English shirt manufacturer Double Two was only surviving due to re-labelling there products and supplying a number mid priced names, Paul Smith being one of them.

I myself have taken advantage of a similar situation in which I’m led to believe the shoe maker Crockett & Jones supply a number of retailers one of which is Shipton & Heneage with whom I have purchased a number of pairs, the oldest being a pair of calf leather brown Oxfords which were around £170 that look better now than when I purchased them four years ago and noticeably better quality than the Churches I had prior to that.

Can anyone add to the list?

Some manfacturers, such as Crockett & Jones, make shoes under its own name as well as "private label" shoes for various retailers, such as Brooks Bros., Ralph Lauren, and George Gleverley (RTW and special order, non-bespoke). On these private label lines the manufacturer name does not appear, but people in the "know" can tell who the manufacturer is.

Another manfacturer in this manner is Alfred Sargent which makes private label shoes for Shipton & Heneage and Brooks Bros.

Brooks's Peale line of English shoes, named after the legendary shoemaker that it acquired, is made by both C & J and AS. Each are a little different, and a person familar with both makes can tell the difference.

Edward Green sells under its name as well as private label where it shares credit with the retailer, such as "Edward Green for Alan Flusser Custom." EG has a pure private label deal with Ralph Lauren Purple Label in that the EG does not appear.

However, proceed with caution and know your product. Manufacturers make private label goods on specifiic order for the retailer. E.g., the Brooks C & J is a lower grade than C & J handgrade, C & J's top of the line. I understand that C & J has a few grades of manufacture, therefore, don't buy a Ralph Lauren C & J and expect a C & J handgrade.

Mark Seitelman