New Certified Artisan Program members

[alden]

I would like to announce four inductees into the London Lounge Certified Artisan Program (CAP). Please welcome Mr Josh Byrne of the UK and Henry Poole (Cutter), Mr. John Hitchcock of the UK and Anderson & Sheppard (Cutter), Mr. Loris Vestrucci of Florence, Italy (Artisan tailor) and Mr. David Graham of the UK and Smith Woollens to the CAP.

It is natural for the London Lounge to honor individual artisans as opposed to institutions. Both Henry Poole and Anderson & Sheppard have a great following from within the membership of this club. They are probably the two greatest of the remaining houses on Savile Row. Messers. Byrne and Hitchcock have repeatedly been cited by members for the excellence of their work. And for this excellence they are rewarded by admission into the select circle of master artisans of the CAP.

Maestro Loris Vestrucci is an artisan tailor of the Florentine school. By “artisan tailor” the CAP recognizes the independent craftsman. Vestrucci, who today works from his atelier in Florence for a select group of clients, is one of the finest tailors this writer has ever had the good fortune to meet and work with. His talent, honesty and hard work separate him from the mass of tailors who seek the easy road in a difficult craft. Vestrucci’s knowledge of fabrics is rare among tailors. He is as opinionated as he is truly gifted and it is a very special pleasure for me to create space in this club where his works can be seen.

What can be said about Mr. David Graham who is the actual Managing Director of Smith Woollens? How about issuing one of the greatest heavyweight cloths in decades in an environment where consumers have been tricked into the Super techo-cloth wars? For the beauty of the “Whole Fleece” cloth alone, Graham would have been admitted to the CAP. A new fresco cloth called Finemersco is another achievement that is sure to delight aficionados of this type of cloth. Keep navigating this line of excellence Mr. Graham and the membership of this club is sure to support your efforts.

Please stand up and shout a solid Bravo to each of these four model artisans. Welcome gentlemen to our club!

[smoothjazzone]

Having first hand experience with the work of three of the four gentlemen noted above -- I can only concur with Mr. Alden that their admission to this select circle is well deserved. Congratulations and welcome.

[whittaker]

Welcome, gentlemen. Grand to have you on board.

[DD MacDonald]

Gentlemen, welcome!
DDM

[Cufflink79]

Welcome to the London Lounge gentlemen.

This is nice to have an English and an Italian perspective on fine men's wear.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[kolecho]

A very warm welcome to David Graham of Smith Woollens. David is a gracious man whom I have had the pleasure of dealing with in my visits to Smith's. I was at Smith's today to pick up some cloth for myself and some LL members from Asia. David is, as usual, helpful and willing to share his experience. His staff are also warm and very helpful. Be sure to pay David a visit when members visit London.

[uppercase]

What's Smiths London address and contact details?

[kolecho]

16A, Dufours Place. Tel: +44 20 7437 6226.

Come off Regent St. to Broadwick St. Dufours is a little street off Broadwick.