We walked up the path towards the house- following the large pairs of scissors - these were to lead us to the "Tailoring an Image" Exhibition inside. "Lordy" Fairhaven had most of his clothes made by Huntsman of Savile Row, his shoes were handmade, and all his clothes were washed and ironed by a laundry in Saffron Walden
They were taken the 20 miles there and back by train. He did not want his shirts and 'smalls' hanging out on the line to be seen by visitors to the Abbey!
He was certainly very daring in some of his fashion choices - evening suits in shades of ruby, sapphire and emerald velvet. His dinner jackets were midnight blue, because he said that at night they looked 'blacker than ordinary black ones'. His valet maintained his clothes with great care laying out the day's garments on the bed all ready to be worn.
Because his garments were so meticulously made, and diligently maintained, they lasted him years. He was always a stylish dresser. He wore a red carnation in his buttonhole during the day, and a white one in the evening.
He loved bright colours and fine patterned cloths. His suits all had a lilac and cream striped silk lining to the sleeves.
Below is a very informative 10 minute video produced for the exhibition by "Huntsman&Sons" - his tailors, still in business 60 years after his death [his personal paper suit patterns are still in their archives!] It is well worth watching. This 'proper' bespoke tailoring is the complete opposite of Fast Fashion. Oh dear, I must sort out my summer/winter wardrobe swap soon.
Such beautiful clothes. Looking after them would have been a skilled job as well as making them.
ReplyDeleteIt would require much care [and sewing skills]
DeleteWhat a fascinating exhibition! A hand-made suit is a totally different beast from the off the peg variety. I once came face to face with Ian Carmichael. He was in his early 70's at the time and was dressed in an immaculate Prince of Wales check 3 piece suit. He put the much younger men around him, all dressed in very nice high street suits, into the shade. I did wonder if it was a keepsake from his Lord Peter Wimsey days.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Bertor Wooster? A brilliant actor who brought much joy for so many years, on stage as well as screen [large and small] if they'd made a biopic of Lird Fairhaven, I think he'd IC would have carried it off very well!
DeleteA lovely day out and makes me want to visit again especially as I’ve never been in the house. It’s a half way point for us to meet our friends from Ipswich but we usually only manage a tour of the gardens and then lunch. One of my sisters lives about 40 minutes away and goes at least a couple of times a month with her daughters and grandchildren as the little ones enjoy the grounds so much.
ReplyDeleteSue
Oh do look inside if you get the chance. And be there at midday to see/hear the clock chime
DeleteWhat a fabulous film about tailoring. My grandmother was a tailor and she always sewed across herself. I was interested to see that it was another charismatic Scot who was talking about Lord Fairhaven’s suits-move over Mr Grant. I was however appalled to see the wonderful garments being handled and stroked by bare hands! I really must try and see this wonderful collection🤞 Catriona
ReplyDeleteAt the exhibit there were many Do Not Touch signs. And the two NT volunteers at the sewing table were wearing thin cotton gloves. One was sewing in official NT numbered labels as each piece was recorded in a ledger. The other was mending his merino Long Johns. Which bizarrely had feet attached - they were like more like tights than pants!!
DeleteWhat beautiful clothes. I guess the thing about quality is, it lasts. It's like the Sam Vimes Boots theory...
ReplyDeleteVery true. We often discuss SVBT when we have to replace things!
DeleteWhat a wonderful exhibition - I wish I lived closer. It is lovely to find people who take care of their clothes and appearance. When I look back at old photos during 40's and 50's women looked so elegant with trim waists in their suits and dresses with matching handbags and shoes and often they still wore hats and gloves. Tracky bottoms and tops just don't have the same look!
ReplyDeleteI once worked for a bespoke Italian tailor for a while - so much work went into each jacket and the whole garment was tacked together for a first fitting then undone again to be machine stitched, each of us working on a different part - I started on the back seam and progressed onto lapels then I was put on buttonholes after a while, but was removed from that job very quickly as I obviously didn't make the mark!
I have loved your recent posts about being a fashion student. Thank you for sharing your memories here (and on your blog)
DeleteWell made clothes last a lifetime and more, don't they? Thank you for the link to the video; it was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteGood to be able to share it. So fascinating
DeleteVery beautiful clothing. I love that sheepskin coat. But for gardening? lol
ReplyDeleteI wear a 2nd hand quilted jacket. Warm, but not so costly
DeleteThank you for this post, especially the video. My mother learned tailoring in mid life and I remember her doing some of these processes at home.
ReplyDeleteLovely memories
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