I've described the conception and design of the Johnstons of Elgin x Grey Fox Blog SuitsGreyFox project in previous features (click here). The final suit, so beautifully cut and tailored by Tristan Thorne and Dege & Skinner of Savile Row (pictured below during a fitting), fits to perfection.
From initial measuring, through several fittings, the creation of the suit was one of care, attention to detail and intense pride in the work. Mindful of the military tailoring heritage of Dege & Skinner I wanted to include some traditional elements of such style in the suit. After much discussion with Tristan, the suit has details like the turnback cuffs, roped shoulders, a double-breasted coat with buttonholes on each lapel, deep turn-ups on the trousers and a sharp, silhouette owing much to Dege & Skinner's military tailoring experience. The coat is very slightly shorter, in a nod to contemporary tastes, but overall the suit blends tradition and fashion in a way that illustrates the best of English Savile Row bespoke tailoring.
I'm very grateful to all at Dege & Skinner for the work they did to produce this masterpiece to show off the cloth I designed with Johnstons of Elgin. In particular I enjoyed working with Tristan Thorne and I can't recommend his skills as cutter highly enough. Thanks also to William Skinner, and to Cass Stainton without whose vision this project wouldn't have got off the ground.
Dege & Skinner are one of the last family-owned tailors left on Savile Row and represent a long heritage (they are over 150 years old) tempered by a very contemporary approach to tailoring. I am pleased and privileged to have been able to work with them.
