The London Lounge

A while back I offered to write an essay for the website of the Custom Tailors and Desingers Association. Len Logsdail -- bespoke tailor and LL member -- is the current President of the CTDA, and he graciously allowed me to write it, and arranged to have it posted on the website. The idea was to give a consumer's perspective on why custom tailoring is superior to comparable or higher-priced ready-to-wear and made-to-measure alternatives.

It took a while for them to post it, pending the redesign of their website. Well, I just noticed today that the redesign is done and the article is up. You may find it here:

http://www.ctda.com/newsite/why-2.htm

By the way, the title of my book is no longer The Dandy. I was assured by my editor, the marketing department, the CEO, and basically every living soul at HarperCollins that The Dandy is box office poison. Since they sell books for a living and I don't, I thought it wise to listen to them. The title we settled on, after some trial and error, is The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style. But a title change is one thing. I can assure you all that the text will remain just as obnoxious, opinionated, hidebound, rule-obsessed and sarcastic as originally written.

HarperCollins? Congratulations, Manton -- you've hit the big time with your first book!

Proof not only that you think clearly and write well but, also, that men's fine clothing interests more people than we might think.

Dear Manton

marvelous...simply marvelous! keep up the good work.

Self promotion is not nearly as bad when it is about something this good.

sincerely
etutee

Good title.
I hope that Harper provides some funds for photos in your book! Very important.
Good luck!

Its a splendid title. I look forward to seeing your book. When is it due to be published?

Perhaps next you could turn your hand to publishing a definitive men's magazine.

whittaker wrote:. . . . Perhaps next you could turn your hand to publishing a definitive men's magazine.

What a fine idea! Perhaps a quarterly The Dandy?

Or maybe just open your own weblog and post essays from time to time.

That's a great article - something I'll make sure to read again before purchasing another suit. Thanks very much.

Wheels

Manton:

Even though I was a fan of the original title, I like the new title also. Using Machiavelli in the title may help with sales to Business/Finance Book Buyers and lead to more books.

Good luck and I can't wait for it to be published.

Will "Nicholas Antongiovanni" be the author?

whittaker wrote:When is it due to be published?

Spring of 2006. I don't have an exact date yet, but in time for Father's Day and graduations.

encooper wrote:Will "Nicholas Antongiovanni" be the author?

Yes, Antongiavanni -- the 43rd cousin 56 times removed of Niccolo Machiavelli -- is the "author." He is quite a well-dressed boulevardier, unlike me, so people ought to listed to what he has to say.

.

Thomas I. Kim wrote:Will there be a LL Chapter book signing?

I hope we can do something like what Bruce Boyer did for his last book on Astaire.

After reading 2,000 informative posts I look forward to the book. I would happily come to New York for a book signing (and a trip to Tip Top).

Manton, I've always wondered, what is your day job, if you don't mind my asking? You seem terribly well informed on a whole slew of topics.