The London Lounge

An exec of one of the great UK weavers submitted the following question:

A trivia question for you and your members.

It is 30 years since the first screening of the famous 1960s TV show “the Prisoner” starring Patrick McGoohan. The iconic garment from the show was a dark coloured boating style blazer with white edging on the labels. I have found out that the jacket has a label inside stating “John Michael, London”. Is this a tailors name or a long forgotten brand name of a larger sewing factory? Maybe your network cold throw some like on the matter?

Any answers?

Cheers

As best as I can tell, John Michael was a leading tailor in the 1960's. He trained Tom Gilbey, Sackville Street tailor who led the design team at John Michael before setting out on his own in 1966. John Michael is featured in a book by Paul Gorman called The Look - Adventures in Rock and Pop Fashion, as a hallowed tailor who outfitted some of the biggest rock names of the time.

Another clue perhaps to his standing: Chittleborough & Morgan's building at 19 Savile Row is called John Michael House

John Michael might have been a tailor, but he was also a retailer. I believe he came to fame in the mid 60s as one of the first ones on Carnaby Street and later had a large boutique/shop on Savile Row. It was a big place in the mid 70s, but must have been gone by the late 70s.

The very same premises (Nr 19) that became Tommy Nutter (who might have worked for J.M.) and is now (I believe) Maurice Sedwell.

I also recall a Savile Row shop with a John Michael sign in the late 1960s. There were definitely RTW shirts in the window, (possibly also other RTW garments but on this point I am not 100% certain).