WRAP UP THIS WINTER

Walking the dog on a crisp autumn day with a low slung sun raking through the trees is one of life’s great pleasures. Add a Dashing scarf thrown loosely around your neck in a devil-may-care manor and you may well find yourself positively elated.

At Dashing, we come into our own at winter. Wool is without doubt the best thing to be wearing and nothing is easier than pulling on a jumper and picking up a scarf.

It will come as no surprise that we have chosen some very jolly colours for our new season jumpers. A glorious royal blue, a vibrant orange, a moss green and a rich autumnal burgundy wool.

The light, soft lambswool jumpers are surprisingly warm and are all knitted for us in Hawick, the famous Scottish Borders area renowned for quality wool and knitting.

I’m a fan of ‘V’ necked jumpers as I often like to wear a shirt and silk scarf underneath and the shape allows everything to sit well. Many people enjoy the higher fitting crew necks and so we have decided to have both styles knitted and to also add cable designs to the crew neck. Our sizing is small for a close fit on a 38 inch chest, medium for a chest size around 40 inches and then large around a 43 inch chest and extra large for chaps with a 46 inch chest; the arms and length adjust accordingly.

Watch the latest instagram reel about our jumpers.

For our scarf range, we still stock a few of our desirable ombre shaded Merino and cashmere scarfs and a couple of classic lambswool designs but the big interest is for our scarf range woven using recycled Cashmere yarns.

Followers of our woolly jottings will remember our trip to visit the first new shoddy machine in the country for decades and learnt with interest how it shredded up old cashmere garments and created a fibre ready to be re-spun with yarn. We have used shoddy cashmere alongside our new season colours of British wool to create a really fabulous range of scarves. The cashmere yarns in subtle neutral shades provide an elegant ground upon which the vibrant British yarns in bright green, orange, blue and mauve can really radiate. We have woven the designs with twilled herringbone structures, classic designs that everyone can relate to and the warp threads are then fringed for a traditional scarf look.

Watch the latest instagram reel about scarves.

For more information please do drop us an email: info@DashingTweeds.co.uk, or pop in and see us.

All our collections are available online, but often more options available in store.

All the best,

The Dashing Team

WOOL MONTH

Wool is where it’s at! When it comes to the future of sustainable fashion, zero waste clothing and furnishing, well-being and innovation, all roads lead to wool. This is not surprising, the wool industry has been developing technology to go from fleece to fashion for thousands of years. It’s only been in the last few decades that the petrochemical industry has flooded the market with cheap plastic yarns, wreaking havoc on the environment and the mental well-being of people constantly craving junk fast fashion.

The good news is that wool is fighting back. The Campaign for Wool has King Charles III leading the way to promote wool. Wool Month consists of events around the country educating consumers on the numerous benefits of wool, during the month of October.

At Dashing I like to think we are always ahead of the game. We have been extolling the virtues of wool for many years. Recently I shared stories of the whole journey of British wool and below you can enjoy clicking through our wonderful woolly adventures.

Introduction to the British wool story

The starting point not only to Dashing Tweeds but to probably one of the biggest, most lucrative industries Great Britain has known.

Read the full blog here:
British wool and sheep breeds:

The really interesting thing is that all the wool is just a byproduct of the meat industry. Farmers are obliged by law to shear sheep for their comfort in the summer months, but no one actually breads sheep just for their wool anymore. 

Read the full blog here:
Wool grading:

If variety is the spice of life then the sheep of Great Britain must be high on the list for liveliness. We have over 60 native breeds in the country and their wool comes in such a range of varieties that it takes many years of training to sort them into the 130 different grades required by British Wool.

Read the full blog here:
Shoddy:

Shoddy was a way of putting wool waste back into the supply chain and dates back to the 1800’s. The mills of the time were continually spinning valuable wool and weaving cloth, the scale of production was huge and England was supplying half the world.

Read the full blog here:
Spinning:

Our spinning revolution was the turning point of Britain’s textile industry. Twisting strands of fibre together by hand is as old as civilisation, and dates back fifty thousand years. 

Read the full blog here:
Dyeing:

Using extracts of plants and animals, people have been dyeing wool for thousands of years. Some rare and expensive colours such as the Tyrian purple derived from sea snails was only allowed to be used within royal circles in Roman times.

Read the full blog here:
Weaving:

In terms of shear creative invention, weaving must surely be one of the great landmarks of civilisation. During Neolithic times men and women probably copied our clever feathered friends, watching them weave twigs for nests and started to interlace bark shreds together to make things like door mats, although I’m not sure if they had invented doors by then.

Read the full blog here:
Finishing:

Finishing is not just the end process of tweed creation, it is the beginning of a fabric’s life. Wool is woven in it’s natural greasy state and so needs a good wash and dry once it is woven, but there is a whole lot more to the finishing process than you may have thought.

Read the full blog here:
Now that you have a full appreciation of the wonders of wool, I’m sure you will be wanting something fabulous made. All our designs are woven in wool and we can tailor you a beautiful piece that you can love and cherish for years to come.

To find out more about our tailoring offering, check out our website, drop us an email, or visit us in store.

NEW COLLECTION LAUNCH AND EVENT

When it comes to colour we love nothing better than experimenting to see how far we can push the boundaries whilst our designs remain palatable. Colour theory has fascinated thinkers for centuries and great books have been written on the subject by luminaries such as Goethe and Josef Albers. The pointillist painters of the late 19th century paved the way to the use of colour pixels on our screens as interaction with colour changes dramatically when varying pigments are placed in juxtaposition. With this in mind we thought it would be interesting to ramp up the hue and boldly go where few dare, especially in the world of tweed design.

One of the many beauties of wool is that it can be dyed to any colour and this season we have been working with Shepley yarns and their vibrant range of British wools with a sound ecological footprint and accredited dye standards. We choose a palette of electric blues, vigorous greens and radiant oranges as the basis for our collection, reminiscent of the psychedelic rise of Acid House and the 90’s rave scene.

Our sensational design named Acid is a fabulously textural interweave of almost fluorescent yellow, bright blue, soft lilac and taupe brown, it really has to been seen to be believed. Remarkably the vibrant colours nestle together in the most glorious and harmonious way creating an overall stripe effect that is as vivacious as it is daring. The cloth weighs a useful 16oz, a mid weight cloth ideal for winter suiting or a light overcoat.

We have tailored an unlined blazer style jacket and matching narrow legged trousers in our Acid cloth. The relaxed cut of the jacket with patch pockets compliments the joyful nature of the tweed and the easy wearing trousers are right for so many occasions. We have also crafted a fabulous fitted coat, this is a close fitting knee length cut and is ideally worn instead of a jacket. The colours of the Acid tweed work well with denim and plains enabling the coat to work as a statement piece that bursts with delight.

We’ve named our bold check for the season Jungle, another reference to a musical genre originating from the rave scene, a time that saw a melting pot of upbeat mixes and eye popping displays of colour. This is reflected in the thrilling orange and marine check laid over an elegant grid of earth tones. The 16oz British wool is entirely made in the UK and is of a classic tweed quality suitable for outer wear in the elements.

We have crafted a slick fitting bomber style jacket using our Jungle design. The cuffs and waistband are ribbed in a navy band and the elegant shape features a central zip and side welted pockets. The easy to wear bomber has a broad collar which looks great both up round the neck or folded down. For a dramatic pairing we have had matching trousers tailored; the whole ensemble takes classic tweed sports wear into the 21st century.

For the evening, we have worked with our luxurious Merino worsted yarns to produce a discreetly elegant yet spirited design we call Jazz. Shades of dark maroon, navy and royal blue quiver together with a soupçon of lilac purple in a stripe that seems to frolic over the swarthy cloth. The 11-12oz worsted has a lustrous finish and makes up well into exquisite evening wear for any occasion.

Red carpet and black tie events are as popular as ever, and now more open to glamorous interpretation. We have tailored an exquisite three piece evening suit in Jazz. The cloth design, reminiscent of art deco motifs, certainly cuts a dash with black grosgrain silk lapels and a double breasted waistcoat.

Folk are waking up to the importance of traceable and sustainable clothing the use of British wool is more important than ever. We are now proud to be a part of the British wool organisation which entitles us to use their emblem of a Shepherds crook on our fully British Wool designs.

Come and join us to celebrate the launch of our new collection, with an event in our Dorset Street store, from 6pm – 8pm on the 19th September. Showcasing the fabrics and fashion we have tailor made this season!

DRESSING FOR YOUR NEXT LIFE

You may be reading the title of this piece and thinking that we have diversified into shrouds or even mummification linen; not quite yet. The reality of life today is that people are living longer than ever and starting whole new careers in midlife. It can be a very refreshing time of reinvention, perhaps heading back to school for a while before embarking on a new road.

My degree was in biology and I was always fascinated by evolution, it seems to occur in sudden saltatory jumps; much like life. One minute you change job or hit the gym and suddenly you become a smarter, leaner person. Or perhaps like a young Clown fish you have decided to change sex. Whatever your metamorphosis one thing is for sure; you’ll need some new clothes.

Fashion is highly influenced by the natural selective forces of society. Stiff Victorian suits are obviously completely passé, but so too are tailoring styles from just a decade ago. If you have been stuck in a niche, you may suddenly find yourself completely behind the times. This is where we can offer you a great deal of help.

Our designs are informed by the changing demands of work and leisure. We are in continuous conversation with customers as to what garments provide the optimum balance of elegance and practicality.

There is no doubt that clothing has been on a steady journey towards the less formal. I felt it hit a nadir a couple of years ago but now I’m pleased to report that the current direction is up. Tailored clothes made to last and look good are both sustainable and desirable. Personal style is the order of the day and constant change in the name of fashion is now deeply unfashionable.

Finding your personal style as you grow older is one of life’s pleasure, the insecurity of youth is replaced by the confidence of wisdom, and this should allow you to be more daring in your choices.

At Dashing Tweeds we never shy away from experimenting with all aspects of clothing and style in order to give you as much choice as possible. We delight in offering you styling advice as to the best colour combinations and tailoring silhouettes and how to make your wardrobe work well for every occasion.

Dress norms can now be a bit of a minefield, gone are the days when you could simply wear a suit and tie to work and then change into a cocktail or dinner suit in the evening.

However, wearing boring chinos and a lack lustre shirt are not going to impress your new hip co-workers or even your fresh date for the night. It’s time to remix the hereditary elements of tailoring and make something new. Remember when it comes to the evolution of tailored forms, there’s more to it than just the genes.

Our made to measure tailoring takes 6 weeks, so plan ahead.

Jackets £1,200, trousers £675, skirts £500 and waistcoats £550.

Soft tailored cigar jackets £850, bomber jackets £1,050.

 2 piece suits £1,625 and 3 piece suits £1,850

Coats from £1,550 dependant on length

We also offer an in-house bespoke service as well.

To design your own look, or get advice on what to wear, do drop us a message for more information.

Founder/ Owner – Guy Hills

Guy@DashingTweeds.co.uk

All the best,

The Dashing Team

SAVE THE DATE: 10TH APRIL

6pm onwards, in store at 47 Dorset Street

Launching the collection in store, and celebrating with our good friends

Collarbone London and Pachacuti with their panama hats.

To RSVP: drop us an email.

PRINCE ROSTISLAV ROMANOV

Conjure up a mind’s eye image of a male bohemian artist and you’ll probably be picturing Rosti before you read any further. Prince Rostislav Romanov, or Rosti to his friends is a true artist; creative to the soul. He expresses himself mainly through the medium of oil paint landscapes, but his artistic talents leap forth when leafing through the drawings of his hand made paper sketch books and through his new skill of applique on a Dashing cap.

I’ve known Rosti for a few years now, he first dropped into our original shop just to complement us on our use of colour in our weave designs. Then a year or so later, when we setup our in-house workshop we were in a position to make his sartorial dreams come true. Having studied fine art at Falmouth, Rosti has a love of nature, landscape and colour. Scattered throughout his spacious house in Tenterden, Kent are books by favourite influential artists, Milton Avery, Philip Guston, Gillian Ayres and llya Repin to name a few.

As befits the dreamy country setup and the romance of creatives, the action takes place in a shed at the bottom of the garden. I waited with eager anticipation, camera in hand, as the doors squeaked open. The rich waft of oil paint hit me as I entered and to my delight Rosti’s painting den was a cacophony of colour and controlled chaos.

On one side litho printing rollers, then around a central chair, tables strewn with paints of every hue and palettes at the ready for work on the current canvas. As Rosti paints wearing his beloved artist suit in our Motley design he listens to his vinyl collection and notes the albums he’s played on the back of the canvas; a charming addition to the artwork. The suit is ideal for painting as the design features inherent colour splashes. Rosti wanted to be able to wade in the marshes while sketching so the baggy trousers are cut high off the ground and the double breasted teba jacket has generous pockets. 

Rosti’s love of nature is evident as we stroll around the grounds of the house he shares with wife Fotini Georganta and their son. The garden dates back to Tudor times and is home to the most splendid trees including huge redwoods, beeches and chestnuts. I’d forgotten making Rosti his coat in our Gallant Check design from a few years ago which looked gloriously autumnal when paired with this three piece ochre herringbone suit and it’s elegant double breasted waistcoat.

As with so many great artists, talent comes with a degree of angst and in Rosti’s case alcohol became an early vice. Following art school Rosti headed to Russia, the home of his aristocratic heritage, his great grandmother was Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia. In his own words he moved to the land of cheap vodka where ‘my alcoholism found me’ and drifted around with friends. A wakeup call occurred on a trip to San Francisco. His friend not being home yet, Rosti tried to check in to a hotel but his grunge look of the time led to refusal and a night on the streets. Luckily, rehab in South Africa proved a success and Rosti’s sobriety has allowed his natural creativity to shine. Dressing well, with integrity and quality is a delight for Rosti and I was delighted to really see how much he loves to wear the clothes we have tailored.

WOMAN OF THE MONTH: LARA PAIN

This month we interview Lara our Studio Manager, who joined us last year.

WHY DID YOU JOIN DASHING TWEEDS?

“I fell in love with weaving as an undergraduate at Central Saint Martins. My BA Textile design course covered knit, weave and print, but as soon as I started hand weaving I knew that this age old art was for me. I could simultaneously fulfil all my artistic desires by combining story telling with textile creation.

I was lucky to have Kirsty McDougall as a guest lecturer and jumped at the opportunity to intern at her studio for a while. Whilst there I assisted on hand weaving a collection for Dashing Tweeds. I loved the aesthetics of the company, especially the way they push the boundaries of textile design. Upon graduation I saw that Dashing Tweeds were hiring and I knew the position would be a perfect fit.

Whilst starting work at Dashing Tweeds, I was also awarded the 2022 Clothworkers’ Award. The prestigious prize gave me a space at Cockpit Studios, where I could work on my personal weaving practice. I specialise in bespoke commission weaving and one of a kind woven artworks. The combination of working at Dashing Tweeds and running my own small business has been a dream come true. I love the way customers at Dashing Tweeds use fabric as a means for personal expression.”

HOW DO YOU WORK IN YOUR STUDIO?

“For my own work, I really love bringing clients ideas to fruition. I work on art pieces which mainly hang in their homes. The whole collaborative process is a varying conversation starting with sketched mock ups before I move onto materiality and sampling.

I like to take everything we have gathered up in the preliminary stages and then just create intuitively at the loom. During a project, I surround myself with relevant ideas and materials; my studio walls are pinned with inspiration. Then I sit at my loom and weave away.

Weaving is meditative, repetitive and very process heavy, it takes a lot of patience! Most of the time you’ll find me surrounded by yarn in my studio with the clunking sound of my old Harris loom.”

WHAT DOES DESIGN MEAN TO YOU?

“To me, design is an opportunity to say something. It can be deeply important and meaningful, or maybe just an excuse for playful fun. I think both are equally valuable. I really enjoy using textiles as a medium to tell stories about places and people. My Irish mother and Australian born father gave me a multicultural upbringing; I was born in Switzerland, schooled in the middle east and then moved to England. Through my design work, I continue the history of using textiles as a vehicle for storytelling. A night out with friends in Shoreditch or a moving personal experience can be equally influential on my work.

I take on personal commissions should you like a bespoke wall hanging or a one-off scarf. If you’re interested in learning more, I would be more than happy to host you at my studio in Deptford. We can arrange a meeting on a day when I am not busy working on all manor of exciting projects at Dashing.”

Lara has a few pieces on show at Contemporary Applied Arts from the 7th – 18th November, also her open studios at Cockpit are from the 1st – 3rd Dec, tickets available online.

To see more of Lara’s work, check out her instagram or website.

MAN OF THE MONTH: DANIEL DUGAN

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“I was strolling through Marylebone when I saw a man in front of a shop spinning yarn with a wheel. I immediately thought I could use the yarn in a painting as my last commission in London I used rope. I’ve been travelling the globe extensively the past three years and am always looking for new materials to work with. So I struck up a conversation with Guy, and next thing I know I’m in the shop marveling at all his creations. One particular green jacket with light-reflective thread caught my eye, and I had to have it. I’d never seen anything like it. I wear Dashing because I like to wear unique clothes with a story. I learned that they design and produce all their own fabrics and tailor the pieces to perfection. I wear Dashing because in all the clothes I tried on (the jackets, the pants, the hats), I felt confident and polished, like the clothes were made for me.

I showed Guy my artwork, and he showed me his photography. So we decided to combine art and fashion in a photoshoot. He selected some of his pieces and found 200 meters of blue rope so I could make a temporary art installation. A week later, we went to a basketball court in Primrose Hill, and I meticulously laid out the rope in my signature style of “One Continuous Line” that is uniformly spaced and never intersects: a labyrinth. Et voila, we have these incredible photos.

I aim to make spontaneous artwork along my travels. I drew my line in the sand in Thailand, cut a grass labyrinth in California, and painted a whole room in Havana, Cuba (where my mom is from). So this was a natural next step to make something unique in London inspired by Dashing Tweeds. It’s this same spontaneity and daringness I see in Dashing that makes me want to wear it.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I define myself through my clothing by collecting unique pieces during my travels. Right now I’m wearing a pair of shorts with little mushrooms on them I got in New York along with a cream cashmere sweater I got in Mexico and shoes made from fish nets by a friend in Italy. I like to dress playfully yet elegantly. For me, each article of clothing has a memory tied to it. I was cold in Paris and found a vintage Mugler jacket from the 80s. I was hot in Bali, so bought these flowy, locally-made shorts. My clothing reflects my life and all the adventures along the way. Sometimes I see something and think, “Is this too wild or outside of my usual style,” and that’s usually a sign that I should try it and see. I’m always trying to think outside of my own box.

My art is a defining factor in my style and has shaped my wardrobe. You can usually catch me in my embroidered “Yes” hat, silk or chiffon scarves based on my paintings, or even a velvet suit I made from a particular piece. I showed Guy some of my fabric samples, and it looks like they just may end up as a satin lining for one of his suits. I’m excited to collaborate with Dashing to make bespoke clothing, so I look forward to any special requests.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style to me means putting together pieces that mean something to you and that express your personality or even your mood. I’m constantly mixing and matching my clothes, especially since I live a lot out of a suitcase. Style means trusting your instincts as to what looks good on you, but also trusting others to help you be even bolder. I don’t think I would have thought to put on the colourful suit I wore in the shoot, but after trying it on, I realised I could pull it off – of course with a little affirmation from Guy.”

“I showed Guy a large framed print I had in London of my “Heart to Heart” piece, two anatomical hearts connected by my one continuous line. And he decided to hang it in the shop. Feel free to stop by and have a look up close.”

Daniel’s artwork in store is for sale, for any inquiries email Studio@DanielDuganArt.com.

You can see more of his creations around the world on his Instagram @DanielDuganArt and on his website, www.DanielDuganArt.com.

MAN OF THE MONTH: DAVID VAN DER HOEVEN

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“Dashing to me is an expression of individuality, giving the ability to take a piece of cloth which is relatively rare, turning it into something which is absolutely unique.
 
Unlike many other cloths, Dashing with their relatively small runs gives an additional level of bespoke and individuality to any item of clothing made.
 
Dashing is also fun! There is a certain humour to many of the fabrics which adds to the sense of enjoyment when wearing an item of clothing.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“One of the pleasures of having clothes made is that you can have different clothes to suit different environments and moods.
 
For me, the way this is found through Dashing is the ability to have a suit suitable for work, horse racing, a great passion, going out, or just general wear and the ability to have a suit for the appropriate occasion, is hugely enjoyable.
 
For most suits, I will tend to have a pair of shorts made allowing you to have one suit that fits multiple events and can be worn throughout the year and when travelling, and Dashing allows me to be smart, practical, and comfortable.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“I think style is very individual, with different people having views on what is or is not stylish.
 
For me, feeling stylish is wearing a well-made comfortable suit, designed to your own specifications to match your mood and environment.

It’s having something that matches your character and environment, it being an appropriate expression of who you are for the setting you are in.”

WOMAN OF THE MONTH – KAT JUNGNICKEL

How did you start researching and reconstructing historic clothing inventions?

“I’m a Reader in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London and I’ve been researching clothing inventions in global patent archives for almost a decade. My last project – Bikes & Bloomers – explored how Victorian women invented radical new forms of cycle wear to ride their bicycles during the cycle craze that swept the country in the 1890s. They had to overcome not only social issues (parts of society were shocked by the sight of “New Women” engaging in what was seen as a masculine activity) and sartorial problems (conventional clothing styles were uncomfortable and dangerous to cycle in). I became particularly interested in their inventive solutions in the form of convertible designs which feature all kinds of secret technologies that raise material up and out of the way of the moving machinery. Unable to find existing garments, my team of sewing social scientists and I remade a collection of convertible inventions to study them.”

“I’m now working on a larger project called Politics of Patents (POP for short) funded by the European Research Council. My team and I are researching, reconstructing, and reimagining 200 years of clothing inventions to explore changing ideas around citizenship, gender, and public space. Amongst a range of themes, we’ve been expanding our research into sport and activewear. These include inventions for mountain climbing, swimming, tobogganing, flying, cycling and much more. And many of these designs are not only convertible, but also combinable, multiple, reversible, and hidden. As a sociologist, I am constantly struck by how many historical issues being addressed by these inventors a hundred years ago are still relevant. I’m also inspired by how many of their ingenious design ideas could still be of use today.”

Why do you use Dashing fabrics?

“I study clothing inventors from the past as they operated on the cutting edge of social and political change, building on the past to make claims on the present and imagine different futures. Their patents reveal insights into what concerned them enough to want to make a difference. They tell us about their lives, problems and solutions and they provide step-by-step instructions to replicate their idea. They were committed to using all kinds of innovative technologies – sewing machines, wools, weaves, waterproofing, fixings, and fastenings. So, we follow in their footsteps in our reconstructions and speculatively sew their inventions using contemporary machines and a range of materials. Dashing Tweeds is a pleasure to work with, flexible yet hardwearing and easy to mend and maintain. We recently collaborated with The Adventure Syndicate and Mór Diversity who put our inventions to the test in the Scottish hills doing lots of sports in all the weathers (see the film here). The costumes not only survived but they looked great even after a tough workout. And because our aim is to render visible lesser-known inventors and draw attention to their inventions, we use the reflective qualities of Dashing Tweeds Raver Wave collection to make their innovations really POP out.”

What does style mean to you?

“Style to the inventors I study was one of many tactics they used to fit into society and enjoy the rights and privileges that came with it, while also concealing their intentions to resist, subvert or re-negotiate conventions that held them back. A stylish outfit enabled them to look on the surface like they were wearing clothing appropriate for their social standing or activity. Yet, underneath, hidden in the seams and stitches, disguised in waistbands and hems, were secret technologies designed to transform garments, and their wearers, into something entirely different. A stylish outfit enables us to become, or express something new. These stylish convertible, multiple, reversible, and hidden inventions enabled wearers to do even more!”

POP, the Adventure Syndicate and Mór Diversity wear convertible sports and active wear

from 1890-1940.

To see more of Kat’s incredible work check out her Instagram, POP instagram and website.

WOMAN OF THE MONTH – ANDREA CHAPPELL

HOW DID YOU BECOME A KILT MAKER?

“I studied graphic design at London art schools in the 90s—Apple was in its infancy then, so it was very much an analogue affair that gave me an insight into heritage crafts through letterpress and printmaking. After graduation I entered the world of environmental graphics—or narrative architecture as it’s now called—working for museum and heritage centres across the globe.”

“For each project I was interpreting the stories of people and places (the same concept for tartan kilts in fact), so began commemorating each project by commissioning a kilt, as I had worn and loved the garment since childhood. I started with a plain black wool kilt, which became the most frequently worn and functional item in my wardrobe, then got more elaborate and adventurous with fabrics for each one—until I had a wardrobe full of them. A move to Scotland ten years ago reignited my passion for making, so it was a natural progression to learn the craft and make my own. Initially this was just for me, as a hobby really, then covid prompted a career change and things have grown since then. It all started with a pretty idiosyncratic personal tradition that fostered a passion that’s now my profession.”

WHY DASHING FABRICS?

“As a bespoke kilt maker there are specific things i’m looking for in the cloth I use. For traditional kilt making the usual requirement is 8-9m of structured cloth— tightly woven with a firm handle that will hold a sharp pleat— hence the standard use of 13 – 18oz wool twill tartans. 

But actually that’s a relatively recent construct in the history of the kilt — and heavily associated with its military form — a far cry from its origins as functional workwear, draped and folded around the body and belted at the waist. Throughout the many incarnations of the kilt form, makers have artfully experimented with shape, style and structure using alternatives to tartan, and Dashing cloth sits perfectly in this domain.”

“Structurally the natural fibre compositions allow the intense steam needed to set a pleat in and the complex weaves give the support to hold it firm. Stylistically the bold colour ways and graphic compositions of the drafts give a kilt maker the opportunity to reinterpret the sett, or pattern of the cloth, to create distinction between the flat front aprons and the pleating at the back. A current kilt I’m making with Spectra cloth shows this to great effect. If there’s room to play about with the pleating then even making two kilts from the same cloth will result in uniquely individual garments.”

“In addition, the Dashing End of Roll and Last Chance section supports my IV36 Remaking Initiative, which I started when kilt making became an endangered heritage craft in 2021. By remaking from existing garments and remnant fabrics I aim to fund the training of a young person from my town (Forres, IV36) in traditional kilt making, supporting the next generation to enter the craft in an area where there a fewer opportunities in this field.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“The comfort and confidence to wear whatever you like to describe whoever you are.”

To see more of Andrea’s incredible kilts check out her Instagram page and website.

Each month we will be interviewing different Dashing men and women, so watch this space.

MAN OF THE MONTH – SAMUEL-JAMES GRAHAM

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“For me Dashing signifies authenticity, playfulness and character. I first came across Dashing on instagram a few years ago, I was amazed how daring and flamboyant the fabrics were. As someone who loves maximalism within classic menswear, Dashing automatically resonated with me. I’m currently studying bespoke tailoring at London College of Fashion. I was working on Savile Row over the summer, this was when Guy and I first met. It was an extremely pleasant encounter which turned into a street casting, I had the privilege of modelling for Dashing’s most recent campaign and recently had a resplendent Black and White Basket Weave jacket tailored for me.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I began dressing myself from the age 10, as you can imagine I have been through a tremendous amount of clothing phases; which has resulted in an incredibly eclectic wardrobe. I love the idea of not being tied to one specific style, way of living or thinking. Clothing is the easiest way to change or enhance one’s identity and gives away a plethora of clues about your personality, likes and interests. My everyday looks can rage from a 70’s disco/ glam rock aesthetic to a 40’s Ivy League prep, I believe the most important thing about clothing is to have fun with it! “

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style is a form of self expression, it can transform someones mood within an instant. It can be incredibly liberating, especially when you find the courage to wear something you previously never thought you could. Coming from a Caribbean background, clothing and presentation is such an intrinsic part of my culture. Jamaican style has had a massive influence on the world. Being surrounded by well dressed and charismatic people from a young age lead me to see one’s style and personality work in tandem. I often notice that my style determines my mood and other times my mood determines my style.”

To see more of Samuel-James’ style and tailoring check out his Instagram page. Shot on location at Retrouvius.

MAN OF THE MONTH – GUY DINWIDDY

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“Wearing Dashing Tweeds makes me feel fantastic. The fabrics are exciting and interesting; and each has a story to tell, so I feel I know the fabrics so much more than other clothes I have. Latterly, having been a fan for years, I also wear Dashing because they’re my friends; and that’s another story to tell.

The thrill of spotting someone else in Dashing Tweeds is a feeling of commonality, whether it’s in person or just on television or YouTube. It’s a community, like the evening get togethers held at the shop.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“As I grew up I started paying more attention to tailoring and fabrics in a way I would not have done before. I like to know the stories behind what I wear and to look and feel good in them. I’m known as someone who values style and detail. I will carefully pick which suit or tie to wear depending on what I am doing that day and others pick up on that and expect it from me.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“My mother is a very stylish woman and she instilled in me a love of colour and of thinking about an entire outfit so that it all hangs together. It took me some time to actually listen to her, but isn’t that often the way? For me, style is looking good without being a slave to fashion. Style goes way beyond fashion. I like classic menswear, but I’m not really interested in vintage dress up. I like the British suit cut and Dashing Tweeds suits are both timeless and classic as well as vibrant and different.”

MAN OF THE MONTH – LEO BIEBER

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“There is no greater brand I have found which embraces the curiosity of individuality quite the same. Through Guy, I have found my way of self expression and the appreciation of the possible qualities in tailoring and fabric design, introduced to a world of finer dressing and a sense of aesthetic empowerment. When out in my Dashing, I ace the day, feeling fitted and warm, uniquely myself, nothing can get in my way.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“My clothes adhere to my lifestyle. I seek hardwearing, splashes of colour and versatility for whichever activity I happen upon. Zipping around London on motorised two wheels, hard concentration in my studio on Regent Street, lighting and capturing the worlds most spectacular jewels, or travelling to farther destinations for meetings and concept pitches, I want my clothes to wear me as much as I wear them, versatile, fit for life and purpose.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style is inherent and of personal experience. For me to have my needs met by my garments is style. For you to find me “stylish” must be a shared compatibility, but in my opinion beyond the subjective.

By preference I would only be in the nude, but unfortunately due to the weather restrictions and public opinion this is not my daily attire, so instead I choose Dashing.”

To find out more about Leo, check out his website and instagram.

DASHING DESIGN

We are so much more than just a shop. The colourful modern tweeds we weave are not created on a whim, they are the result of a whole brand ethos of design and research. We are a team with a deep understanding of fashion history, colour theory, woven textile structures and the intricacies of wool production.

Never ones to rest on our laurels we design two new collections a year entirely from scratch, rather than recolouring old designs. We engineer bespoke weave designs for a variety of urbane clients across industries such as; fashion, film, theatre, interiors and automotive.

Over the years we have developed a library of sophisticated designs, reflecting the zeitgeist and exploring the use of sustainable wools in the luxury market. Kirsty runs our design and development studio equipped with state of the art looms on which we produce hand woven samples. Naomi operates our industry standard CAD weave studio with colour calibrated digital output, and the rest of the team including Holly, Lara and myself encompass numerous skills from photography to business management and the overall production of fabric and clothing. As a team we pool our design skills and cross reference these with our extensive library of historical knowledge as well having access to cutting edge research through our college connections. We are always keen to experiment by incorporating modern yarns in with traditional wools creating hybrid tweeds which function in new ways.

If you are in need of innovative textiles or you just fancy having your own tweeds designed and woven then we are here to help.

During the past few years we have been concentrating on creating and nurturing all aspects of Dashing Tweeds from our cloth production to our fashion range via a network of tailors and makers. Our store in Marylebone is thriving and we are expanding the bespoke weave design and consultancy side of business. We work on projects for large hotel chains, small startups and private individuals, consulting on colour and textile design. So do let us know if you fancy anything from new staff uniforms to a bespoke estate tweed.

Services we provide;

Colour consultancy
Bespoke weaving – design your own tweed
 Cloth production starting at 4 metres
Collaborate with your design project
Interior fabric design
Fashion textile design

We are all in need of experiencing more colour in our lives. Over the past few years there’s been a steady creep of grey, just look out of the window at the cars and people passing. Monochrome is no good for the spirit, but luckily there is a return to colour and we can guide you through the subtleties of getting it right.

Word of mouth is the best way to share so if you have friends you feel need their own tweed then do pass this on. Remember tweed is for everyone, everywhere and anytime.

To find out more, do get in contact:

Guy@DashingTweeds.co.uk 07831 548 068

Holly@DashingTweeds.co.uk 07791 602945

MAN OF THE MONTH – ROB WALTON

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“I’d been following Dashing Tweeds on social media and always thought I’d treat myself to something one day. Then lockdown happened! Guy had started doing live videos on instagram, and I had plenty of time so I reached out to him and to my surprise he was very responsive. 

We had a video call where we discussed our love of clothes and he made me see things in a different way, a more vibrant way. I explained my struggle to find clothing I like for the summer. After an enjoyable discussion we decided on a Curtis cloth summer suit. After that I was hooked and am delighted to say I have many suits. My business is called Dashing Blades so we lovingly refer to our collaborations as Double Dashing. “

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I wear clothes for myself. I often get people giving positive comments which is lovely. My thinking is that we’re not on the planet for very long so you may as well live the best life you can and clothing is part of that. 

As I’ve gotten older my clothes have become more vibrant and DT ticks all the boxes. I love choosing what I’m going to wear depending on how I’m feeling so the clothing reflects my mood. 

Having my own business which is barbering I want people to know they are getting quality and like a great meal the first taste is with the eye, so people can tell if someone or something is authentic just by seeing it. A fine suit in a fine fabric works perfectly.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style creates a sense of independence. Everyone has their own vibe. I love styles from the past but with a modern twist. I love the cut of a fine 3 piece suit although I prefer a longer more Edwardian jacket than the classic modern suit, it’s just a personal preference. 

My style generally comes from my imagination, old photos and sometimes TV or film. I don’t try to be a particular era or style it just mixes together. 

To me that’s what style means. A blend of inspiration and imagination mixed together through the filter of your own personality.”

CHRISTMAS AT DASHING

To make Christmas shopping as easy as possible for you this year, we will be staying open late every Thursday night from the 24th November until the 15th December.
Not only will you receive expert style advice, helping you shop for tweedy relatives, we will also gift wrap your presents while you relax with a drink and peruse our collections.

Opening times:
Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm
*Thursdays open until 9pm*
Saturdays 11am – 5pm
By appointment outside these times.
Our last trading day before the Christmas holidays will be the 22nd December, and we plan to reopen on the 3rd of January.

We hope to see you in store soon.

SELECTED FOR THE SEASON: SCARVES

scarf, wool scarf
It’s that time again when you’re not sure which way the wind blows. The weather vane can swing from a cheerful southerly to a chilly easterly at a sneeze. It’s best to be prepared, an elegant length of fine woven wool is what you need to ward off an imminent pain in the neck.
I imagine that the scarf is one of the worlds oldest forms of clothing, an utterly reliable length of cloth that can be worn and tied in time-honoured fashion providing both comfort and sartorial joy simultaneously.
Scarves, I also find belong to the mercurial group of clothing which I associate with Peter Pan; they just disappear when you’re not looking, sometimes returning briefly before vanishing again. With this in mind you can never go wrong when it comes to buying a scarf as a present for a friend, they will always be grateful for new apparel to appear.
Click here to see all our scarves.

Whether you are purchasing for yourself or others we can offer you checked lambswool scarves or colourful ombré Merino and cashmere ones of the highest quality. 

For the month of November, get 15% off all our scarves online by using the code SCARF at check out.

Also, we should mention that this is the last week you can order made to measure tailoring to arrive in time for Christmas. Should you fancy a cheerful or even a dark jacket or suit to wear during the holiday then do contact us ASAP.

WINTER COATS

Autumn is without doubt my favourite season, it feels like the time of year when all good things come to you. From apple crumbles to a flurry of social invites, it’s time to reap the rewards you deserve. As the temperature ebbs, so trips to your tailor can flow and the yearly cycle of your wardrobe can resume. What joy there is in finding a loved jumper at the back of your cupboard and donning a reassuringly weighty coat for a fresh jaunt.

In all likelihood, some of your clothing may not have survived the ravages of life and it may be time to invest in a new coat. Or, perhaps you are fashion conscious and wouldn’t be seen dead in last season’s threads. Whatever your reason, it’s always a good time to bespeak a new coat from your clothier.

This season we have designed and woven some wonderful coatings. My favourite is our ‘Basil’ cloth, a sumptuous 26oz Donegal tweed in fashionable green. The same design in ‘Maddox’ brown has proved to be a top seller and the red version ‘Gertie’ is a delight for this time of year. All these reassuringly weighty wools tailor beautifully and of course we also have a whole range from your stock supported Dashing classics bunch.

We offer two tailoring options, full bespoke and made to measure. Full bespoke allows you to manifest your sartorial dreams in wool. We made a fabulous coat for an illustrious actor a while ago, the design being based on outfits from his starring role in Waterloo. 

Our made to measure service is excellent for classic coat cuts. We offer both a raglan sleeve or a traditional construction and there is a good choice of pocket options and lengths. As it is not often subzero in town many customers choose to wear a closer fitting topcoat rather than a larger sized overcoat designed to fit on top of a jacket; come into the shop and we can show you all the options. All of our coats can be tailored for both men and women.

MAN OF THE MONTH – GUY HILLS

At Dashing Tweeds we delight in meeting and dressing interesting people. Without fail, happy customers all mention how much pleasure they derive from wearing our clothes. What ties Dashing men together is their sense of individualism and style. Since we offer so many fabrics and tailored shapes, it’s fascinating to see how stylish men formulate their original looks. With this in mind we are spotlighting ‘Dashing Men’ in the coming months, showcasing how different people define what they wear and why.

WHY DID YOU START DASHING TWEEDS?

“I started Dashing as I just couldn’t find interesting fabrics when I began to have my clothes tailor made. I had loved buying witty, well made clothes from fashion brands such as Vivienne Westwood but when I wanted an original city cycling outfit in a modern tweed the choice of cloth from tailors was very limited. Through my photography work for Savile Row I learned of the rich variety of fabrics from the past. The tailors had archives stretching back 200 years featuring some wonderfully colourful cloths, but they had not been in production for a lifetime.

On a visit to the graduate show at The Royal College of Art I met weave designer Kirsty McDougall. I instantly loved her novel designs and use of colour. I asked if she could design a one off cloth for me; the result was so good that we decided to buy a design loom and together set up Dashing Tweeds.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I think that clothing is the most important aspect of your personality. Before you even say a word you project an image of yourself through your outfit. What I love is that you can so easily change your image just by throwing on a new look. I really enjoy meeting people and learning new skills, so being approachable and hopefully of interest is important to me. I dress to project an element of creativity and optimism. I have a love of colour and texture and favour clothing made from natural fibres as they are both comfortable to wear and sustainable. I enjoy the mood changing aspect of clothing; when I wear something joyful I undoubtedly have a good day.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style in dress is such an interesting concept as everyone has a style whether they know it or not. Developing a personal style is very much part of growing up and once found it can be set for your whole life. Experimenting with your style through dress is easy and entertaining, just go shopping and try on different looks. The important thing about style is that it rides above the changing vista of fashion and can develop slowly. I’d say my personal style is playful; seeing how far I can mix clothing seen as traditionally British with items that have a more conceptual, artistic origin. It’s really what Dashing is all about, taking tradition and continuing to develop it to todays whims and needs.”

Each month we will be interviewing different Dashing men, so watch this space.

SELECTED FOR THE SEASON – TWEED HATS

Studying history is more valuable than ever as we endeavour to find a sustainable way to thrive in our increasingly uncertain times. The government is trying all sorts of interesting money raising and saving schemes at the moment so perhaps they should reconsider an old idea concerning caps; not energy caps but wool ones. In 1571 an Act of Parliament to stimulate domestic wool consumption and general trade decreed that on Sundays and holidays, all males were to wear woollen caps on pain of a fine of three farthings per day. This is not altogether a bad idea and in line with the times should be extended to all sexes and to everyday of the week. We loose a great deal of heat through our heads and perhaps public houses and concert halls could additionally benefit by turning down their heating.

We have our caps traditionally hand made in Yorkshire, the home of the flat cap. They come in a range of styles from the ‘Newsboy’ eight piece to the more classic round flat cap.

As you know, tweed is the traditional way to wear colour and a cheerful cap will put you and your friends in a good mood.

In addition to our existing stock we can make caps to order and create ones to match your Dashing outfits.

Caps are a great present idea, all you need to ensure a good fit is measure head circumference, simply put a tape measure around at brow level. Our small caps are 56cm round, mediums 58cm and large 60cm.

In addition to our existing stock we can make caps to order and create ones to match your Dashing outfits.

Caps are a great present idea, all you need to ensure a good fit is measure head circumference, simply put a tape measure around at brow level. Our small caps are 56cm round, mediums 58cm and large 60cm.

Do remember to drop by Dashing Tweeds during the early evening of Thursday 13th October. We will be serving drinks to celebrate Wool Month with The Campaign for Wool, you can also view our new collections and learn how we go about our weave design process.

It is also Frieze London from 12 – 16th October, so if you are in Marylebone be sure to come in for a cup of tea.

Ways to Wear: Dashing Trousers

Trousers are without a doubt the most worn item of clothing in the Western world, almost every other piece of clothing can be dispensed with or replaced in public nowadays. Hats, gloves and ties are becoming scarce, socks are often discarded as are jackets and shirts. Wearing vests has become de rigueur in some circles but lose the trousers and you’re in trouble. With this in mind, it’s surprising how little attention is often paid to this single most important item of clothing.

In terms of fit, trousers are much more complicated than first meets the eye. It’s no surprise that jean companies have found ways of pulling wool over your eyes when it comes to selling ill fitting cotton; anti fit twist, pant showing hipsters and shrink to fit are just a few examples.

A pair of well fitting trousers are items of great beauty and can do wonders for your figure and morale. Considering the vagaries of fashion, trousers are one of the most adapted pieces of clothing. Prince Albert had a fondness for a tight pair and with a prowess to match he endowed society with a huge following, setting the scene for decades of swaggering gentlemen.

The Edwardian era was a time for much trouser experimentation with tailors adjusting all the ratios of leg width and waist positioning until a perfect balance was achieved. Ways of helping trousers hang comfortably were also tested and you’ll be surprised at the different types of belts and braces that were produced.

For trousers to look and feel really good I always think they should sit on your natural waist, the area that goes in at the top of your hip bone. However, to achieve this the rise of the trouser from crotch to waist needs to be just right, too long and the bottom will sag, too tight and result will be audible. Once trousers sit well you can decide how tight you like to wear them and work on the silhouette of the leg.

At the moment I’m really enjoying wide legged trousers, they just flow with such a sense of insouciance that you naturally relax into a languid stride and the day seems better, but the choice is yours and with through our made to measureprocess you can choose whatever takes your fancy and run with it.

Dashing’s New Cloth Collection

This coming autumn season we are seeking comfort in one of the most sumptuous of tweeds, soft Donegals. This new collection is designed in our London studio and  woven in Scotland using fine Merino yarns spun in Ireland.

 

At Dashing Tweeds we are always interested in experimenting with colour, Donegal yarns with their famous nepps of different coloured wools are a great starting point and as a first for us we have even created our own yarn. Known as the Motley design this initially appears to be black with neps of primary yellow, red and blue but on closer inspection a whole plethora of colours can be seen.

As colour is the focus we have used classic weave structures this season, working with herringbones and twills to produce a very wearable collection.

Our Ochre, Claretand Lapis Herringbone designs have a pleasing scale and work well for jackets and coats. Herringbones are classic designs which never go out of fashion so anything made up in these will be a great investment. At around 14oz (430g) they are light enough to wear now that autumn days are mild but warm enough for winter nights.

Our Gallant Checkis the most exuberant design, fabulously fun in a large scale with over checks in yellow, green and red. This design captures the joy we try to bring to our fabrics and will put a smile on anyones face.

To RSVP to our private view of our latest cloth collections on the 18th September click here or stop by 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone whenever you’re in the area.

Please don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions or would like us to reserve you some of our latest cloth collection. Drop us a line at Guy@DashingTweeds.co.uk.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 14th – 22nd September

 

London Design Festivalreturns to the capital for its 17th year this September with an inspiring programme of events and installations across the city.

Initially established in 2003 by Sir John Sorrell and Ben Evans, London Design Festival is an annual citywide celebration that brings together a global community of designers, artists, architects and the creative industries with a vision to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world. Since its inception, London Design Festival has grown to encompass a broad range of activities, and attracts visitors from around the world from over 75 countries and the 2018 Festival welcomed a record-breaking 588,000 visitors.

This year also marks 11 years with the V&A as a collaborating partner and the official Festival hub. During the Festival, the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance will once again play host to a series of specially-commissioned projects by internationally-renowned designers.

 

As a citywide event, London Design Festival is an essential platform for the capital’s major trade shows taking place across London as well, including: 100% Design, designjunction, Focus/19and London Design Fair.

These shows feature work from a local and international network of both new and established exhibitors. This year there will be 10 official Design Districts from East to West; North to South. Design Districts are areas where there are distinct concentrations of design activity and events that can be traversed easily on foot. Each District is organised locally and independently via the platform of London Design Festival.

This year will see a new Design District taking part in the Festival; Kings Cross Design District. It joins Bankside Design District, Brompton Design District, Clerkenwell Design Quarter, Chelsea Design District, Marylebone Design District, Mayfair Design District, Pimlico Road Design District, Shoreditch Design Triangle, Victoria Connections Design District and West Kensington Design District. In addition, the Festival is delighted to welcome back Paddington Central Design Route as a Design Route.

We are really excited to be hosting an event alongside our Marylebone Design Districtneighbours. Each district has a designated day to host events making visiting them all that little bit easier.

Marylebone’s main events will take place on Wednesday 18th September, which is the night of our new Menswear collection launch. Watch this space for more information about this in our next newsletter and to RSVP follow this link.

DASHING MEN: Hans Witteveen

When it comes to all round action then Hans is your man. Whether speed skating frozen canals in the Netherlands, cycling the alps, tearing up a tennis court or simply busting moves on the dance floor Hans is there with debonair aplomb.

A partner of law firm Stibbe and Head of the London practice, I am lucky enough to have Hans as my neighbour in Primrose Hill, with his film making wife and two teenage daughters he’s also a consummate host and a good cook.

Growing up in Amsterdam Hans started playing tennis almost as soon as he could walk and would also regularly train on the 400m skating tracks that are popular in the country. During the now rare cold winters the whole country becomes enthralled by the famous Elfstedentocht tour of eleven historic cities in the Friesland district. The tour stretches 120 miles along frozen canals, lakes and rivers and Hans was lucky to be able to participate and finish in the last race of 1997.

 

All this action has honed Hans’ physique into a proportion that looks excellent in a tailored suit. Earlier in life whilst working in his New York office Hans found the boxy American suits were not to his taste and favoured the more fitted silhouettes of Italian and particularly English tailoring. Dressing well for work is essential but the pleasure for Hans is when he can wear a great fitting suit for the shear pleasure of it. Starting with designer pieces from INA NYC in his younger days Hans is excited to have now discovered Dashing. His personal taste is for a close fitting well tailored suit that drapes perfectly, he prefers his trousers to hang just short of this shoes with no break, a look that gives sharp clean lines.

For sheer exuberant pleasure Hans loves his double breasted suit in the Dashing Stripe and is never short of compliments when donning it for a night out. The cut is derived from a famous suit tailored by Mr Fish in 1968 and now on display at the V&A museum. In the mid sixties Mr Fish had a renowned shop in Clifford Street just off Savile Row and as well as inventing the kipper tie he tailored for all the stars of the time from Mick Jagger to Peter Sellers.

Hans also loves the wit of his suit in the Clerkenwell Stripe a navy worsted with a boucle pinstripe. As a lawyer, friends are initially not surprised to see Hans sporting a pinstripe suit but as they get closer it becomes clear that the textured looped yarns of the stripe are altogether more humorous than expected and place Hans in a whole new light.

For those who don’t already know, be sure to drop by Dashing before the 31st August to shop our summer sale, with 30% off RTW, 20% off cloth and 10% off made to measure.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Live Fashion

Sustainability is the key nowadays. We have long been told that the rate at which we are plundering Earth’s resources and generating waste cannot continue, only now is this beginning to sink in. We need a radical rethink of the way we consume everything if we are to thrive or even survive; a good start is to think about our clothing. As naked apes we find clothing essential, not only does it protect us from the elements, but as is the case with so many animals, its use within society as a display for pecking order and mating rituals is paramount.

Sustainability in general should be a major concern of yours and as awareness grows of all others around you. Displaying your empathy to the cause by wearing clothing made in a sustainable way will not only make you feel better but also actively disclose your conviction to others. This will without doubt make you a more attractive person in their eyes and greatly increase the fulfilment required by your dress, especially where mating is concerned.

So how to be sustainable? Transparency within brands is now more commonplace elucidating the whole making journey of a garment but this can quickly become a tangled web. I find it easier to stick to the simple rule of quality over quantity. Buying fewer clothes and looking after them well is a good start. For clothing to last it has to be made well in a good quality yarn. Wool is tough to beat when it comes to longevity and sustainability, improvements in cross breeding sheep has lead to beautifully soft wearable fabrics and sheep feeding on natural grassland are entirely in balance with nature.

Repairing clothes is only possible if they are of a certain quality, cheap cotton garments made at a huge cost to the environment, especially where water is concerned, seem to spontaneously disintegrate in one go making mending impossible. If your favourite quality outfit develops a hole then they are easy to mend. Darning is an age old skill that is currently in the midst of a revival and it needn’t be done as neatly as possible. Prince Charles was sporting an obvious patch to his Anderson and Sheppard jacket a while back, proud to be extending the life of an old favourite. Indeed visible mending especially on wool garments has become an even more obvious sign of ones personal attitude to sustainability.

The Japanese, have made a whole art of patching with their Boro fabrics constructed almost entirely of mended rags but you needn’t go this far. A classic elbow patch to extend the life of a jacket could be all you need to increase your clothing sustainability. When things go beyond repair you know where to come for garments that will not only last for many years but become firm friends on the journey to a sustainable life.

 

The Panache of a Panama

dashing tweeds, pachacuti, Panama hat, luxury, made to measure, tailoring, tailors, Marylebone tailoring

There are very few entirely hand made products in our lives nowadays. Ones where we can saviour the provenance and take pleasure in the generations of handed down skills that have accumulated to provide us with a useful item of joy. A Panamahat is one of those little luxuries that everyone should save for, not only are they potentially life saving when in the sun but they also have that rare combination of practicality and elegance. There is just no real replacement for a fine Panama hat.

At Dashing, we are working with Pachacuti a fair trade company set up by Carry Somers over 25 years ago. Avoiding middle men, who locally take a large cut from the weavers, they work directly with the makers ensuring they earn a decent living. This has enabled hat weaving communities to move away from the coastal regions of Ecuador and set up in the idyllic forested hills where they can encourage a new generation to continue the livelihood.

Interestingly, Panama hats come from Ecuador and acquired their name through numerous sales of the hats as they were transported for distribution through the trade routes. In the gold rush era any wise prospector would pick up a hat or two along with their gold digging tools, helping spread their popularity.

The enduring appeal of the Panama hat has to do with their superb quality. Toquilla straw is hand cut, boiled, split and dried before being hand woven in a continuing spiral that can take up to 8 months for a fabulously fine example. The skills have been passed down for generations and the only thing that has really changed is the style of the shapes.

Our Dashing Panamashave additional panache through the use of our unique cloth designs. These are applied by hand to the headband, giving the already desirable hats a peerless appeal.

We have a few sizes and designs left in the shop so come and snap one up before your summer adventures begin. They will serve as faithful companions on your journey, protecting against the elements as you forge ahead.

Should you be one of those people for whom only the best is good enough then there is a chance for you to commission the world’s finest hat. Mark from Pachacuti went on a recent trip to Ecuador and met the man who is widely regarded as the finest hat weaver in Ecuador. The world record stands at close to 4000 straw picks per inch and given close to a years work he is keen to try and break this record for you.

For more information, do check out Pachacuti and to customise your own Panama band using our cloth please drop an email hereor pop into Dashing at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Different Tweeds for Different Needs

When it comes to wearing tweed there are no restrictions at all. From school boys to doddering gents via a whole new wave of hipsters, tweed is for everyone male or female. Our bespoke tweed Nike Airforce 1’s were coveted by both teenagers and mature men. Our caps are sported by young fans of Peaky Blinders, city cyclists and a whole range of interesting people who drop by our shop.

Jackets and coats are best sellers and now that we are starting a made to measure range for ladies and even dogs there is no reason to not add new tweeds to your wardrobe. Colour is the key as tweed is the original way to add a colourful item to your wardrobe. Everyone has a favourite colour and we stock a huge range so get out your metaphorical brush and paint away, as they say ‘different strokes for different folks’.

Tweed is probably one of the most versatile and democratic cloths there is. Historically fabrics such as silk were the preserve of the aristocracy and rough hemps the raiment of peasants but tweed straddled all levels of society. Worn by Lords and poachers alike, the quality and usefulness of tweed has ensured it’s unwavering popularity over centuries, and so today despite the onslaught of synthetics, tweed is as popular as ever and continues in its versatility.

Through selective breeding of sheep and new technologies in spinning and finishing, wools and the resulting tweeds are constantly improving. Menswear is all about an evolution of form and function and all clothing needs to perform to the tasks of the wearer. As we are modernising tweed their relevance to 21st century life is increasingly apposite.

Sustainability is a major benefit of tweed but there needs to be an element of fun to clothes as well. This is were Dashing Tweeds excels, clothes need to bring an element of joy to all concerned and our fabrics transcend all ages and niches of society. For any Made to Measure enquiries or to book an appointment, drop an email here or stop by 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

Charlotte Chaplin: Health and Woolness

 

Wearing wool for health is not something we hear enough of these days. In the 1880’s the German physician Dr Gustav Jäger extolled the benefits of wearing wool next to the skin, rather than plant based yarns such as cotton or linen. His philosophy caught on to such an extent that the British business man Lew Tomalin established the eponymous brand. The resulting woollen underwear and swim suits he made proved such a success that a Royal Warrant was granted.

Fashion is a circular affair, at the moment with uncertainty in the air comfort can be had by glancing back and wondering what we can learn from the past to make life better both for our health and for that of the whole planet.

 

The rise of synthetics and the demise of woollen clothing, is a case in hand. Crude oil based clothing such as nylons, polyesters and acrylics were thought to be the answer to everything. They were cheap, easy to produce and seemed almost too good to be true yet now we are just beginning to realise their true cost on a global scale with micro plastics entering the food chain every time you wash a so called fleece. Sustainability is what is needed and there is nothing more sustainable than Herdwick Wool from The Lake District.

Charlotte Chaplin has around 500 of the indigenous sheep on her farm in Finsthwaite, Ulverston. The Herdwick breed has been around for hundreds of years and live in complete harmony with the natural habitat of the Lake District. With short stocky legs and an enviable fleece they roam easily over the steep hills grazing naturally on the local flora, taking just what they need without denuding the pastures. Interestingly they are born black and as they age they pass through chocolate tones on their way to almost pure white.

 

Charlotte starts to shear her ‘girls’ as she calls them at around 18 months just when the wool is turning white and the length is perfect for spinning. A local farmer Stephen helps with the shearing  and then the fleeces are sent off to Haworths for scouring. Charlotte is keen to keep the wool as natural as possible so there is no dying and the pure wool is just cleaned before spinning at Laxtons. From there the  yarns are sent to Townend weavers where Charlotte’s elegant and timeless herringbone designs are woven into cloth. The last stage is finishing and Charlotte uses our preferred company Schofields, they soften the hardy wool and make it eminently wearable.

 

In our Marylebone flagship shop we are stocking three of Charlotte’s designs all in the natural colours of the Herdwick wool. Touching the cloth evokes feelings of the healthy wild landscapes of the Lake District and just by wearing it I’m sure this will rub off on you. The cloth makes up into beautiful jackets and for the brave we can certainly follow Dr Jäger and tailor a health imbuing swimming outfit.

If you have any questions or would like to book a Made to Measure appointment using Charlotte’s designs, kindly drop an email here or visit us in store at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

 

 

DASHING MEN: Joe La Placa

Joe La Placa’s whole life has been immersed in the world of art whether as a painter, musician or gallerist. Listening to him talk about the start of his career in New York after studying at the School of Visual Arts, I could not help feeling how much I would have liked to have been there. Hanging out with Andy Warhol in the factory, working with The Sugar Hill gang in his producers studio, constructing early synthesiser electronics, painting and helping Jean-Michel Basquiat with his work, Joe’s foot print appears in the corner of one piece adding no doubt to its million dollar value.

I caught up with Joe at 22 Grafton Street in his current role as Director of the Cardi Galleryproudly showing me his latest show of Mono-Ha artistswhich he is hoping to sell as a whole to a serious collector. As far as I can see Joe never stops, running both the Mayfair and Milan branches of the gallery, looking after his family and still managing to squeeze in some time for recording original melodies on his guitar.

Talent and the drive for success is in the genes, his grandfather a humble cobbler from Palermo arrived in Manhattan to became a large shoe manufacturer, his mother was a successful opera singer and his father a scientist. This mix of business acumen, artistic flare and analytic focus is a rare one that has stood Joe in good stead. His early painting work consisted of immaculately drawn moire patterns on a huge scale, a visual metaphor for sound waves amongst other things and definitely with a ‘wow’ factor.

Joe’s love of the artisanal explains his passion for Dashing Tweeds, his favourite suit is in our Grey Spark design, a grey worsted Merino cloth with a broken check in wool and Japanese cotton. The design started life being hand woven by Kirsty in our London studio before production in the Scottish Borders. For Joe this  design ideally marries the two worlds of a Mayfair director with artistic luminary.

For those of you with an artistic streak be it creative or collector then Dashing is what you need to wear. Bespeaking a suit is a collaborative affair so do drop by our flagship shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone to see our latest collections. If you would like to book a Made to Measure appointment please click here.

DASHING EVENT: Talking Ties with Shaun Gordon on the 4th July

On 4th July Shaun Gordonwill guide you through all the ins and outs of ties. There will be a short talk, demonstrations of techniques and a chance to learn new knots that will not only impress your peers but lead you to a more fulfilled life. The event will also give you the chance to preview ties from Shaun’s latest collection, which is inspired by the sculptures in the Medieval and Renaissance hall at the V&A museum.

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Shaun’s personal mantra is one that we would all do well to follow. The essence is that if you look good, you’ll feel good and so will others around you. Shaun acquired his sartorial skills from Alvin, his impeccably dressed Grandfather and I’ve never seen him look less than immaculate. His belief certainly holds true and I always find it a pleasure to see what he’s wearing.

Shaun’s elegance is very much based around his beautiful ties, he chooses colours and patterns which pleasingly offset his mixture of vintage and bespoke tailoring to create a lively freshness.

Ties have become a maligned item of clothing in our current dress down culture. Americans have been debasing sartorial standards in the City for years now, with the introduction of casual Fridays, giving ties the boot and replacing well hanging wool suits with wrinkly cotton chinos and indecision.

On the up side, it’s never been easier to look impressive and make an impact both at work or play. Traditional English tailoring is all about attention to detail, creating a gently sculpted chest and nicely shaped waist using an elegant worsted cloth, wearing a good fitted shirt and of course adding the perfect silk tie as the finishing touch. Savile Row has spent close to 200 years refining this look so it was no surprise that Shaun’s search for neck wear perfection led him to dissecting vintage pieces in order to learn how to make his own.

With a degree from London College of Fashion, industry experience working for Turnbull and Asseramongst other companies and an additional two years of personal tie making research, Shaun decided to set up his own company. His designs radiate a joyful elegance which would suit any gentleman.

The history and social implications of tie knots is a fascinating subject that one could talk about for hours. When was the four in hand first used? Is a double Windsor twice as good as a single? Is a small Kent knot hipper than a square knot and should I even attempt a Merovingian from The Matrix?

There will also be an exclusive 10% off all Shaun Gordon ties during the event, so get your ties ready and dress your neck for the evening!

The event is free, but please RSVP hereand stop by our shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone on the 4th July. We look forward to seeing you then.

6.00pm – 6.45pm Arrival drinks

6.45pm – 7.15pm Talk and Demonstration

7.15pm – 7.30pm Q&A

7.30pm – 8pm Networking

 

For the love of Harris Tweed

Authenticity is the new luxury. Machines that were once just sci-fi fantasies are now a reality and if Captain Kirk wannabes ask their replicators to make a tweed I’m sure the outcome will look pretty good. But is it the real thing? Tweed clad philosophers could theorise the night away spinning arguments with quotes from Plato to Bertrand Russell but one point they would all have to agree on is that the synthesiser could not make Harris Tweed.

Rules for the weaving of genuine Harris Tweed cloth from the archipelago Islands  off the West Coast of Scotland are incredibly strict and were recorded as acts of Parliament over a century ago. Genuine Harris Tweeds are produced by just a few mills and many are hand woven by crofters living a self sustaining life on the island ensuring a very low carbon footprint for the fabric. The Harris Tweed Authority hand checks all production and authenticates it with the famous orb logo.

As climates ameliorate the islander have adapted and produce what they term “feather weight” qualities. These weigh in at around 14 oz, which may say as much about the local bird population as the climate of Scotland. However, if you are going to invest in a Harris Tweed jacket or suit it’s reassuring to know that the hardy fabric will wear for many years.

A while ago we worked with the Carloway Mill to weave some original designs for us. These were highly prized by tweed aficionados around the world and especially in Japan where the love of originality is endemic in the highly cultured population. Sadly, the Carloway Mill has now laid down its shuttles, but there are others and we are stocking a large range of glorious coloured tweeds woven by Harris Tweed Hebrides. We have close to a hundred different colour ways of classic Harris Tweeds to choose from. 

In addition to the classics we have our unique collaborative design Iona as below. This fashionable royal blue barley corn weave structure is a more modern design and suitable to wear in town and out in the country.

 

Our Iona cloth is handwoven on a Hattersley loom as below. If keeping a low carbon footprint is as important to you as it is to us then you will be interested to know that these looms are driven solely by foot power. The weaver literally puts his all into the production, boldly pedalling as no man has before…

Beam down to our shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone and even if your everyday items are facsimiled you can be sure your new Harris Tweed jacket is an original. Do drop us a line at Holly@DashingTweeds.co.uk if you have any questions or would like to book a Made to Measure appointment using one of our Harris Tweeds!

 

 

Going Short!

One often reads that economics effects the amount of leg you see or visa versa. The so called skirt length theory suggestS that the observation of hem lines is a good indicator of market direction with traders looking forward to a bull market as they spot more knees. Now in our times of equality, its high time that men get their knees out in the open and perhaps the economy will start picking up. There may be several years of more data to collect but signs are that shorts are on the up.

 

Short suits for work, once a novelty rarely spotted outside of Sydney or outposts of the empire are now no longer to be scoffed at, at least outside of the square mile. As global warming kicks in shorts will be on the rise. Needless to say, shorts are the garment of choice for summer holidays with the purchase of a pair imparting one with an almost immediate air of tranquility.

 

Enjoyment is an important ethos of Dashing Tweeds, our fabrics are designed with a wit that is often missing in menswear. The colourful nature of our sophisticated fine Merino cloths make for fabulous shorts and with my preferred cut, slightly wider with a turn up just at the top of the knee you can tell that good times are ahead.

To order a pair drop us a line to Holly@DashingTweeds.co.uk or come by the shop to be measured up. We have a great choice of short suitable light weight fabrics and you can order a pair to any length depending on your mood.

 

DASHING WOMEN: Flora Macdonald Johnston

Junior Fashion Editor of the FT, Flora is a fan of a check pattern. In a recent article about striking plaid designs Flora learned about Dashing Tweeds and how our creative process is on a constant roll. Enamoured by our urban designs, bringing tweed into town, Flora was very keen on sporting one of our jackets.
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We are excited to announce we are launching an exclusive womenswear collection this September to include jackets, trousers, skirts and coats all through our made to measure tailoring service.

Flora desired a fashionable more masculine ‘boxy cut’ for everyday wear and easy pairing with her wardrobe which we sampled for her in our new designs. Through our new range of made to measure womenswear, each person can select the style and cut that suits them!

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The cloth Flora chose is our Black Urban Shadow Check a medium weight fine Merino wool cloth with a beautiful drape and a quality to last for many years. As you can see Flora knows how to put a nonchalant look together par excellence, her wide leg trousers, colour coordinated accessories and flawless complexion need only a Dashing jacket for completion.
If you would like to book a Made to Measure appointment at the Dashing flagship shop, kindly drop an email to Holly@DashingTweeds.co.uk or pop in at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, W1U 7ND.

Celebrating Craft in London 8th – 12th May

Not so long ago craft was a word to be avoided. People and companies did not wish to be associated with some sort of pre industrialised cottage activity, conjuring images of peasants spinning something fluffy by the fireside. Modern life should be clean, efficient, functional with high design.

How times have changed. Many a lifestyle blog now promotes the simple country life, homemade faire, no phones in sight and a plethora of handicrafts from macrame to felting. Modern life now tries to straddle these two extremes and interestingly technology and connectivity has enabled old crafts to thrive in our modern world and more importantly be sought after and sell.

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London Craft Week was set up four years ago to showcase artisans at the highest level and enable customers to commission hand made pieces. Craftsmen demonstrate everything from watchmaking to weaving and glassblowing to calligraphy at various events across the capital.

This year the events take place all over town from 8th – 12th May. Do check out the programme here and I guarantee there will be something to interest you. I like the idea of weaving waste at Battersea Power Station and organ making at the Royal Festival Hall.

Being busy in our new shop we are not on the programme this year but we do always have a loom in the shop and Holly is happy to illuminate you about the woven arts anytime, so do stop by and say hello at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

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Turning heads with Twisk!

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One of the most admired traits of an Englishman is his individuality, the whole world admires characters from Terry Thomas to Boy George who have the courage and conviction to live the life of an original.

We live in an age where the world wide web has spread homogeneity, yet distinctiveness is still highly prized and admired. It is possible to buy practically anything from anywhere but surprisingly it has become increasingly hard to seek out something others may not have.

Shoes have a status in menswear that far exceeds their simple function of keeping your feet safe and dry. They have long been a symbol of wealth and status as well as signifying ones attention to detail, and on the other foot phrases such as ‘down at heel’ reflect the whole person not just the shoe.

Twisk was launched to provide shoes for men who admire both quality and unique style. They are designed in England, made by the skilled hands of craftsmen in Italy and exude a rebellion that Sir Francis Dashwood would certainly be at home with.

Not shying away from their own brief, Twisk have pioneered a welt shape like no other. The sole is curved to five distinct points analogous to pentadactyl limbs or perhaps spiritual pentagrams and crafted in leathers of exuberant hues as well as rich chestnut browns and blacks.

We are now stocking Twisk shoes and boots in our Marylebone flagship store at 47 Dorset Street in a range of sizes and styles. Do drop by anytime to try them on. They look surprisingly good at the end of your legs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Weddings at Dashing!

It’s going to be a glorious summer for weddings so the forecasters say, so now is the time to make sure you are prepared.

You’d be surprised at the number of men who walk into our shop saying they are getting married next week and need something special to wear. Due to the culture of immediate deliveries and ready to wear some people forget that tailoring at its best takes time. Our made to measure takes 6 weeks so it’s best to think two months ahead at least, although we do offer an emergency 2 week express service at a premium for those reading this with a sudden sense of alarm.

Whilst the bride is the traditional focus of a wedding appearing just in time to sashay down the aisle, on many occasions the groom takes centre stage. Designer Henry Holland is a great fan of Dashing and we collaborated in the early days, weaving a flamboyant check for his catwalk collection modelled by Agyness Deyn. It was an honour that his husband, designer David Hodgson, sported Dashing for the wedding and as you can see they both look like the cat that’s got the cream.

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(Photograph by Joanna Nicole)

As a man, one of the joys of dressing for a wedding be it groom, guest or the honourable position of father of the bride is that convention is now not so important. The days of donning a classic morning coat before a jaunt to the church and a wedding breakfast have been surpassed by all sorts of personal fantasies, and so it should be. Individuality is to be encouraged in these homogeneous times; without flights of fancy we would still be grounded in bear skins. For his idyllic country wedding Philip choose our Whitbread Roxy cloth and accessorised it beautifully with an orange flower to match his bride’s head dress, photographed by the wonderful, Joanna Nicole. Defying convention with a relaxed open necked shirt Philip looks at ease and joyful, starting married life as he means to carry on.

With over a hundred cloth designs to choose from there should be somethingDashing for everyone. We use light weight Merino wool for the summer and heavier British wools in our winter fabrics. Using our  made to measure service could not be easier, after selecting cloth, linings and buttons we guide you through all the possible styling options and then 5-6 weeks later your tailored suit is ready. Minor alterations such as turning up trousers and nipping in the waist take no more than a couple of days after the final fitting. Then as Stanley Holloway sings; Spruced up and looking’ in me prime, girls come and kiss me, show how you’ll miss me. But get me to the Church on time!

(Photograph by Joanna Nicole)

EVENT: Daringly Creative Design: The Story of Dashing Tweeds 25th April 2019 6pm – 8pm 

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Creativity is at the heart of Dashing Tweeds. Over ten years ago I became fascinated by the richness of the cloth archives in Savile Row and beyond, there was just so much choice for men and many more colours than I imagined. I just wished that these joyful fabrics could be modernised and put into production.

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Meeting Kirsty after her Masters show at the Royal College of Art was the moment that I realised these wishes could come true. Kirsty’s exhibit of a fridge overflowing with kaleidoscopic weave creations of her own hand, not only showed that she had a innate talent with colour balance and innovation but also a deep seated understanding of weave, acquired from her Scottish roots. Luckily the idea of taking tweed as the starting point for an adventure into modern textile design greatly appealed to Kirsty and Dashing Tweeds was born.

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On Thursday 25th April you will have a chance to learn how our creative process works. Kirsty will talk about the way she translates her ideas into fabric, how we go about the continuing development of tweed as modern sports wear and how important colour is to both design and everyday life.

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Kirsty will also talk about textile production in the UK today and the rise of interest in British wools. As you know we were once the global centre for textile production and the skills learnt over hundreds of years are still in use today and being improved upon constantly. In order to be relevant globally now it is important for the weave industry to innovate and we will discuss some of the exciting developments the future has in store you.

To attend the event, please RSVP here and stop by 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone from 6pm – 8pm.

6.00pm – 6.45pm Arrival drinks

6.45pm – 7.15pm Presentation

7.15pm – 7.30pm Q&A

7.30pm – 8pm Networking

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unlined Jackets for Spring!

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You may have noticed that a new form of clothing has been conceived recently; the shacket.

This bastard offspring of a shirt and jacket is actually starting to gain a popular reputation amongst the sartorially conscious, and probably rightly so. As the climate ameliorates and gadgets proliferate, men are left with the dilemma of choosing between pockets or a man bag. Since girdle pouches of the renaissance, stylish men have struggled to elegantly carry everyday stuff, if you are French then it’s just possible to carry off one of those small wrist worn handbags but for the rest of us pockets are a necessity.

A jacket with pockets was one of the most seminally useful items of clothing to have ever been invented and unless you happen to be a sporran wearing Scot nigh on essential.

 

Whilst untucked shirts sporting pockets can to some extent impersonate a jacket you are better off with the real thing in a light form, and this brings us to our made to measure unlined jackets.

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These jackets are beautifully tailored and bestowed with no less than five functioning pockets. Instead of a heavy construction hidden behind a lining the jackets are simply tailored with the exposed edges of the seams elegantly sewn over with a fine lining of your colour choice. By the nature of the pattern the external pockets are patch ones as used on classic cricket or rowing blazers but the internal ones are able to be fastened securely with buttons.

 

Our new summer fabrics in fine Merino wool are ideal for unlined jackets being strong enough to hold their shape yet let enough to avoid overheating.

To find out more do drop us an email at Holly@DashingTweeds.co.uk, or pop in to our store at 47 Dorset Street.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dashing’s Latest Cloth Collection

This spring season we really are bringing you some most Dashing new fabrics. We’ve given traditional check and block designs a techno wake up with names coined from early 90’s video games and a playful attitude to match.

We’ve found that fine Merino wool is the very best for summer and so have concentrated on the highest quality 9oz suitings. This weight is ideal for creating an elegant drape and being pure wool the fabrics not only tailor well but are extremely comfortable to wear.

First up with have ‘Berzerk’, a beautifully balanced large scale Glen check with acid green and vibrant magenta threads against a ground of neutral ecru and grey. This in a way is the most traditional design and would make a splendid summer soiree or informal wedding suit.

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Next up is ‘Pixels’, a Madras type design in greenish shades with a hot pink overcheck. Vibrant and large scale this is less formal and ideal as a daywear lounge suit for sauntering through life.

 

‘Tetris’  and ‘Galaxian’ as the names suggest are the boldest of our new block type design and like nothing you have seen before.

At first glance the sine wave undulating cubes in ‘Tetris’ floating against a wash of pink, green and grey may seem incongruous in a suit, yet surprisingly once tailored up the effect is mesmerising in a delightful way. We envisaged a short suit to be worn to dinner on a Balearic Isle, setting the scene for a night of ecstatic elation.

Similarly ‘Galaxian’ in a bolder, more graphic colour combination of magenta, acid green and grey would look unsurpassed when made up as a suit for summer cocktail parties.

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Lastly ‘Block Out’ woven in navy and steel Merino yarns is a serious party fabric. The weave structure gives the face of the cloth a steely lustre through which the undulating dashes of navy traverse. For nights out in the spotlight or even on stage our modern new design ticks the box.

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We are also excited to announce that we will be showcasing the latest collection at ‘Munich Fabric Start’ for the first time this season with our Agent Matthias Rollmann. The show runs from 29th – 31st January and has over 20,000 visitors yearly with 1,050 exhibitors, Dashing will be showcasing designs alongside other brands such as Fox Brothers, Alfred Brown, Ulster Weavers and Bernstein & Banleys.

To find out more about the show or to set up a meeting do drop us an email – Holly@DashingTweeds.co.uk

Do stop by our flagship shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone to shop our new cloth, or if you prefer to shop online click here where you can order samples from the new range as well!All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

 

 

Dashing x Nike Lab!

The hypebeast and sneakerhead culture is booming and Dashing is on the case. Combining luxury with streetwear aesthetics, Dashing teamed up with the iconic Nike Lab in Shoreditch for custom sneaker orders in our cloth.

Since our collaboration with Converse seven years ago we are honoured to be an official supplier to Nike. Dashing created a bespoke pair using one of our latest designs – Sweet, which was inspired by the rocking 70’s.tweed, menswear, fashion, marylebone, mens fashion, tailoring, textile, hypebeast, sneakerhead

 

 

Dashing’s Founder, Guy chose to freshly kit out his feet with a pair of classic Nike Air Force 1 High Tops. This silhouette is an iconic Nike staple, an original design with its roots in basketball. As you would expect from the luxury price you can fully customise the shoe from scratch and Guy took great pleasure in exercising his creativity with every possible element.

Dashing draped the tip, strap and backtab of the shoe using Nike’s key ‘Playmaker leather’ in Night Maroon. The eyestay, backstay and double Swoosh are all in the ‘Dory Metallic’ design embodying the timeless ‘University Red’ tone. With a flash light, the Nike Swoosh on the sneaker reflects, so it fits in perfectly with Dashing’s aesthetic.

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Avid sneaker collectors around the world are now building their own bespoke shoes using cloth from Dashing’s rarefied collections. Dashing offers such a diverse variety of colour and patterns that the sneakerhead generation is spoilt for choice. By using Dashing’s seasonal cloth collections the bespoke shoes are given an extra element of desirability and originality leading to envious glances from like-minded hype beasts.

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As a sector that is driven by millennial shoppers, the sneaker scene is now beginning to infiltrate the mass market with many luxury and premium fashion brands offering an element of customisation within their ranges. Kal, a confirmed sneakerhead has taken huge pleasure in customising his Nike ‘crepes’ in Dashing’s Threadbare cloth.

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Drop by our store in Dorset Street, Marylebone to view the Sweet Nike Collaboration and our full range of fabrics which Nike can use. Then arrange to stop by Nike Lab in Shoreditch at 477-478 Bateman’s Row, London EC2A 3HH to book your one to one appointment. The lovely Sam and Jess will guide you through the bespoke customisation process helping you build totally unique ‘crepes’ from nose to lace.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

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Final Festive Orders at Dashing!

“Last Orders Gents!” and Ladies. There is still plenty of time left to prop up the bar at your Christmas parties, but there is hardly any time left to get all your Christmas shopping done.

We have a range of gifts available in store and online from warming Donegal jumpers, laptop bags, flat caps and cycle hats, winter overcoats, Dashing dog collars and many more, but time is ticking and we want to make sure you get everything in time for the big day!

Below outlines our final order dates for delivery in time for Christmas:
UK delivery,order by is the 19th December
European delivery, order by 17th December
International delivery, order by 14th December
If you think your loved ones have an eye for Dashing, but you’re not exactly sure what, then a gift voucher is a great idea, they can ponder and decide what they want at a later date. We can post you a gold edged voucher to wrap up and present at Christmas.
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The Dorset Street flagship shop is open from:

Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturdays 11am – 5pm
and closed on Sundays.

Then during the festive season, the shop will be closed for Christmas from the 22nd Decemberand will reopen its doors on the 3rd January, if there is anything we can help you with in the meantime, do drop us an email here.

Wishing you all a joyous Christmas and a fabulous Happy New Year!

All the very best,The Dashing Team

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A Conscious Christmas on Chiltern Street!

Christmas is a time of reflection and sometimes action. Scrooge just managed to save himself at the eleventh hour, making amends for his lack of concern and general stinginess, but can we? Planet earth has been plundered for generations, vast areas recklessly destroyed by greed, is it too late to save not just ourselves but the lives of others? These questions should be on everyones minds this season, hiding under the bedcovers is no longer an option. We are all witness now to the ghosts of habitats past.

The Portman Estate  are taking action by hosting a ‘Conscious Christmas’ event on the 29th November on Chiltern Street. This will celebrate sustainability and careful use of resources, especially as the conversation around waste amplifies during the time when we shop for Christmas gifts. Throughout the event, many shops along the street will be hosting interactive events to celebrate the concepts of sustainable manufacturing, use and reuse.

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During the evening of 29th November, Dashing will be hosting craft workshops in store giving live weaving demonstrations on a hand loom, showing visitors how important it is to use sustainable wools, as well as presenting our high quality tweeds and clothes that last for years and years.

Dashing will also be having a pop up stand on Chiltern Street, selling smaller products from our range such as hats, ties and jumpers; Christmas gifts which will be cherished for generations.

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Sustainability is at the core of Dashing, the company exclusively works with wool woven in the UK, and a large part of the production is with British wool, resulting in a very low carbon footprint in relation to transport and production costs.

Dashing is passionate about supporting the British textile industry which traditionally is one of the most sustainable of all British industries. Wool comes from the indigenous sheep population which feeds on renewable grass, the dyes used at Dashing are all regulated to meet environmental standards.

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At Dashing, environmental issues are highly important for the brand. The future plans of Dashing involve sourcing more sustainable British wools, and as the climate ameliorates, the fineness of indigenous yarns increases making them more comparable to imported Merino wools. The brand will continue to implement sustainable policies in production so that you can rest assured not to be haunted by guilt or even ghosts of unsustainable Christmas’ past.

Do stop by on the 29th November on Chiltern Street for some festive shopping and drinks celebrating a ‘Conscious Christmas’ before a peaceful holiday and hopefully not an unconscious new year.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

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Wool Week October 8-21st

Since the formation of Campaign for Wool by The Prince of Wales in 2010, the company has promoted globally the multifarious benefits of wool, ranging from its versatility in clothing, use in thermal house insulation and its inherent sustainability. As a result the public is slowly becoming more aware of the role wool plays in everyday life from luxury tailoring, carpeting and saddle cloths.  

Today, the global endeavour that is Campaign for Wool is growing faster than ever. Wider awareness and international visibility has lead to a host of events, talks and pop-ups across the UK ranging from a Wool and the Gang workshop in Covent Garden to a West Yorkshire Spinners trunk show in Wakefield.

Weaving is one of the most rudimentary industries of Britain yet the varieties of woven cloth designs have dwindled over the years. At Dashing, luxury menswear is restored through vibrant colour palettes and complex yarns amalgamated with wool. With a weave design studio in North East London headed up by the Fabric Design Director, Kirsty McDougall, Dashing also works with the best mills in the country to produce cloth. Wool has always been at the core of Dashing’s brand since the beginning, as it is ideal for suiting and a brilliant fibre to dye and weave and the heritage cloth indigenous to the UK.

As the climate in the UK ameliorates so wool yarns from native flocks become finer, some British wools are now almost compariable to Merino wools which have become so popular due to their long fine fibres creating such desirable fabrics. Through the Campaign for Wool, the interest in these exclusive British sheep is increasing and Dashing is planning on bringing you ‘single estate’ collections coming soon.

Due to the richness of events, Campaign for Wool have had to organise a 16 day week as there are so many participants this year. Marking its ninth year running, Wool Week is on until October 21st, so to get the chance to visit any workshops or events do check out the schedule here.

If you would like to book a Made to Measure appointment to add a dash of British wool to your wardrobe, please visit us on 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or drop us an email at holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

 

 

 

Dashing Introduces Womenswear!

We are happy to announce that Dashing now offers womenswear made to measure. We wanted to be able to cater to the needs of any women who walk through our doors and enjoy our vast selection of cloth. Our brand is all about fusing heritage with modern technology, which is evident in our wide variety of cloth, enabling both men and women to create their unique piece of clothing using our designs.

Our womenswear Made to Measure is a contemporary synthesis of luxury and elegance, aiming to reflect our brand vision and concept as wardrobe staples. Following a made to measure service which covers the fitting and design process, where we finalise each detail to create your individual Dashing look.

Whether you are looking for a jacket for work, a wedding or just for everyday wear, our vast range of designs and stylistic choices can suit any occasion.

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To ensure the perfect fit, we tailor our womenswear using a range of in house blocks sizes. We then take all your measurements against these to ensure we achieve the look and fit you require, covering every aspect from the positioning of darts, height of waist, width of lapel and length of jacket.

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If you would like to create your own made to measure jacket in any of our designs, please drop us an email here or stop by our shop to get measured up at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

Our Autumn/Winter 2018 Collection

When preparing your wardrobe for the new season, remember a few worthwhilepossessions are better than many. Our AW18 fabrics are of the highest quality, woven in the Scottish Borders, featuring a range of tonal colours to suit any ensemble.

 

Each cloth design from our AW18 collection fuses the concept of traditional tailoring through an upbeat and fresh perspective, using aesthetically pleasing tonal hints, such as denim and charcoal greys, as seen in the ‘Queen‘ cloth below.

The ‘Bowie’ cloth is slightly extroverted in it’s acidic colour palette, but remains classic by nature, woven using a soft Lambswool yarn in the Scottish Borders.

Unlined and with a soft shoulder, the ‘Bolan’ has a more relaxed feel, this tailored cloth is ideal for casual events and everyday wear. The immersion of blue hues gives the cloth an energetic feel, balancing out the smoky grey base.

Named after 70’s Scottish pop band, Bay City Rollers dressed to the nines in their tartan and flair, the ‘Rollers‘ cloth brings colour and texture back to tailoring, updating the traditional British look.

Our ‘Bay City’ design is a great choice for the winter season as one can easily layer underneath. The cloth features our new yarn quality for this season, using lambswool, making it suitable for soft, lightweight winter jackets at 12 ounces.

Using our made to measure service, this enables our customers to design their own suits and jackets from the lapel width to the jacket length. The ‘Rollers‘ jacket below features a wider peak lapel and a well structured shoulder on the jacket.

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If you would like to create your own made to measure suit or jacket using our AW18 cloth, please drop us an email at holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk or stop by our shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tailors Uncovered: Edward Sexton

For sheer rock n’ roll sex appeal combined with a timeless elegance and impeccable tailoring there is only one man to visit, Edward Sexton.

His sculptural forms have been worn by iconic stars of the twentieth century from the Beatles to Twiggy. Mick and Bianca Jagger were married in matching white trouser suits cut by Edward, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss regularly partied in his suits and now-a-days Harry Styles is often seen in a hallmark Sexton suit in bright fuchsia.

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Edward made his name whilst working for Tommy Nutter. At the time in the early 1970’s bespoke tailoring and high fashion still went very much hand in hand and the team at Nutters of Savile Row created an architectural style with a strong rope shoulder, wide peaked lapels, high arm holes and a long waisted one button jacket that when combined with the panache of the customers set the era alight.

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Not only men flocked to have suits cut by Edward, Twiggy with her gamine beauty, started a whole new trend for ladies tailoring and the body fit required to accentuate a feminine form through mens tailoring methods meant that Edward had to develop patterns and a fit that hugged the body like no other.

Refining his skills and with a list of eager customers Edward decided to move closer to where they lived, setting up his atelier in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge. Now with the help of his two right hand men Dominic and Peter as well as his grandson Henry the house is still thriving with a busy workshop and keen apprentices eager to learn skills that only Edward can teach.

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Dominic Sebag-Montefiore joined over ten years ago after working with Maurice Sedwell as a trouser cutter and now as well as cutting many of the suits he helps manage their offshore ‘bespoke’, a chance to snap up a Sexton suit for a deal less then the in house ones. Interestingly chatting with Dominic, he sees a whole new desire for tailoring by the younger generation.

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The creative and tech industries have turned things on their head, as “athleisure” has replaced the suit at work so tailoring has become the choice for nights out and weekends. Without the constraints of dull greys and navy the choice of colour and cloth is more important. Time to pay Edward a visit and add an iconic Dashing x Sexton suit to the wardrobe.

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Ways to Wear Waistcoats this Summer

Footballers and fashion often go hand in hand, highlighting all sorts of dubious looks but this season a classic has proved to be the winner. Anyone watching England during the World Cup could not have failed to notice Gareth Southgate supporting his team from the side lines with a sangfroid. Only a confident well respected leader can muster.

Composure is as much a state of mind as a state of dress and throughout history the English have lead the way. With his crisp shirt, tie and the all important waistcoat Gareth has at least bought some style home. Waistcoat sales at M&S have risen by 100% and a ‘Waistcoat Wednesday’ trend has been spurned on through social media.

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In a way the waistcoat is the an item of clothing of the people. First seen in it’s modern form as part of a simple wool suit worn by King Charles II. Following the previous decapitated king, Charles II showed his humble side  to the people through simplicity of dress. The waistcoat is not only elegant but very practical, a place to traditionally keep a watch, safe keep a wedding ring and cover up crumpled shirts and bulging waistbands.

There are only a few rules when it come to wearing a waistcoat, they can be worn in matching or complementary fabrics, they can be made with or without lapels, and can be double or single breasted. The one thing that is a must is for the waistcoat to cover the trouser waistband, nothing looks worse than a piece of shirt poking out like an errant finger puppet.

dashing tweeds, weddings, gareth southgate, world cup, made to measure, bespoke, tailoring, british tailors, 47 dorset street, marylebone, tweed, tweeds, cloth, designAt Dashing we offer made to measure waistcoats in any style using our unique fabrics. From the quiet simplicity of navy night vibe to the raver designs in our Lumatwill reflective tweed. In fact many customers have ordered waistcoats with cloth backs in this fabric as elegant, safety cycle wear.

Drop an email to: Holly@Dashingtweeds.co.uk to book an appointment or visit us at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

Dashing’s New Home

We want to welcome our customers into a complete Dashing world. The concept of the brand is to enrich your life through creative textiles, giving you more colour and character. We chose to move into a larger, more relaxed environment in the convivial area of Marylebone.

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The sitting room of an art collector was the inspiration behind our shop fit, a place where sculpture, art and clothing sit comfortably side by side. To achieve our idiosyncratic look, we worked alongside close members of the family who share the vision of creativity and modern luxury. Alexander Hills is embarking on his new architectural practice, his design skills and attention to detail were exactly what we needed. Alex’s CNC’d cabinet of curiosities has our weave patterns etched through technology and he specified all of the mirrors and metal works meticulously.

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We worked alongside Retrouvius, set up by Guy’s other brother, Adam to cover vintage Danish sofa sets using our peak design. Especially woven for the new shop, the mustard peak complements the teal velvet curtains and British wool carpet.

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The shop is filled with artworks both old and new. The contemporary light feature in our new shop, a key focal point, is from gallerist Marion Friedmann and created by a young Mexican artist, Pedro Cerisola.

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We look forward to welcoming you soon to the shop where you can relax and learn more about our new collections and made to measure whilst having a drink. Visit us at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone.

All the best,

The Dashing Team

Dashing Man: Robin Wight

Robin Wight is a man of ideas, action and a great deal of charm.

Working as a copy writer, Robin was lucky enough to have hit the hay day of London’s advertising scene, describing himself as an English version of the American ‘Mad Men’. Robin is currently the Co-Founder of advertising agency WRCS and president of The Engine Group.

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With a fine tall figure ideal for tailoring, Robin is without a doubt one of Dashing’s most colourful customers, a great admirer of quality British fabrics and a huge fan of the colour purple.

Interestingly Robin was not always such a flamboyant dresser and ironical it was the work place after leaving Cambridge that encouraged his exhibitionism. In the world of advertising during the 70’s and 80’s a personal identity was important especially amongst creatives, a way to be remembered and establish a personal brand. Initially Robin sported bowties and hand painted waistcoats as his ‘brand signalling device’, becoming known in the industry as the bow tie wearing Ad Man.

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Gaining sartorial confidence and enjoying the positivity that surrounds a dashing dresser, Robin dropped the bow ties on the advice of his third wife and moved on to wearing Versace’s exciting designs. Then, for a while the flamboyant colours of Ozwald Boateng’s collections took his fancy. Around this time Robin found himself gravitating towards the colour purple, not due to regal aspirations or knowledge of the historical expense of the colour but just because he liked it, and it suited him.

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Purple soon became Robin’s thing and friends would question “Where’s your purple Robin?” feeling miffed if he turned up in anything else. Always on the look out for beautiful cloth Robin found his way to Dashing Tweeds. His eyes lit up upon entering our shop and such was his enthusiasm that we offered to weave special purple fabrics just for him after he had exhausted our current stock. We recommended the tailors Graham Browne and Chittleborough and Morgan to Robin as ones that would enjoy his company and respond well to his taste and as you can see the result is splendid. When questioned as to his sartorial commitment and joie de vivre it came as no surprise to hear, “I always want to perform and purple is the stage on which I stand”.

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Swing by our store on 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or if you would like to book a Made to Measure appointment, please drop us an email at: holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

A Dashing Craft Week

Starting Wednesday 9th May London Craft Week opens the doors on London’s creatives, allowing you a rare chance to see how the most skilled craftsmen in town hone objects of extreme beauty from the humble origins of clay, wood, wool and metal.

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During the past few years, with thanks to this event and others people have started to question where the numerous objects that surround them come from. Mass production has devalued everything from clothing to cutlery but now the true cost of ludicrously cheap stuff has come to light via sweat shop exposés and plastic pollution. We have to question what we actually need and then if lucky enough, own a few things which are exquisitely made. Fortunately the skills to make individually crafted objects are flourishing and you can have the opportunity to find over 200 events during London Craft Week 2018.

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The wonderfully original cloths of Dashing Tweeds started life in our North London weave design studio before production in the finest British mills. Our fabrics are used not only by tailors the world over, but also by upholsterers and soft furnishing makers. On request, we can design and finish fabrics suitable for any interior projects from small homes to large commercial enterprises.

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On Friday the 11th May I will open the doors to my home for  a discussion with Maria Speake of Retrouvius and surface designer Daniel Heath. We will talk about the nearly completed house project and our shared love of natural materials which are of such high quality that they can live on through numerous reincarnations.

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If you would like to choose from our extensive library of cloths to add that finishing touch to your home, please stop by our shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND.

Dashing’s SS18 Cloth Collection

As an island nation, holidays by the seaside are high up on the list. Lazing around on beaches or taking a walk along coastal paths is what we like to do best, with an occasional high adrenaline activity such as  surfing or sailing thrown in. The leisure dress of Edwardian gentlemen could well be divided into just two groups; tweeds worn in country fields and seaside wear consisting of flannels, linens and light weight wools.

We were thinking of such holidays whilst designing our collection for this summer. We chose light weight fine Merino yarns and wove them using open hop sack structures to create fine cloths that drape beautifully, keep cool and wear effortlessly. In a further alliance with coastal areas we commandeered names from the daily shipping forecast.

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Malin, Viking, Hebrides and Bailey are our simplest open weaves in plain warp and weft colours. The Hebrides with a navy weft and sand warp and the Malin with a rust red warp are lovely cloths for summer events, smart and just a little unusual. For the bolder seaside look stripes are always in fashion.

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Cromarty and Humber are similar elegant stripes in sandy shades of brown with a light red vertical, the later design is a more open twill structure and makes a very jolly day time suit or fashionable bag trousers.

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To finish off the collection we squared the stripes to create two check patterns, Lundy and Rockall, very similar designs with a slight change of twill structure. Checks are always the most casual and entertaining designs so choose these for a lively jacket that will put a spring in your step.

To find out more about our latest cloth collection or if you have any questions about a certain cloth, please visit our shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or drop us an email to: holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

A Walk on the Wide Side

The wide legged trouser trend is flourishing, you may have noticed your more fashionable friends already sporting the flowing look. The antithesis of uptight, clinging trousers that have dominated for far too long, Oxford Bags or simply Bags as they were called in a previous incarnation are not only flattering but also impart an effortless sangfroid to any look. Couple a pair of bags with a polo shirt and old school loafers to channel your inner Gene Kelly or jump a couple of decades, let your hair down, and with a simple white shirt and extra wide bags the cool of Bowie is yours.

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At Dashing we are constantly pioneering new wool weave structures and designs, the light weight Merinos we use for summer are exactly right for wide legged bags, they have enough body to drape in a way that is not really possible with cotton and yet are fine enough to keep you cool.

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New young fashion designers such as Charles Jeffrey are welcoming the wide legged look into their collections, taking inspiration from previous decades but through the use of modern materials making them unique to the early twenty first century.dashing tweeds, tweed, tweeds, menswear, luxury, British tailoring, British tailors, made to measure, Savile row, sackville street, cloth, wide leg trousersStylist to the stars, Tom Stubbs has become a great fan of our wide legged trousers, bringing singer David Gray in as well as featuring them in his regular How to Spend it column. Our customers are also enjoying the new cut and the fact that a single pair of trousers when worn high on the natural waist can give  a whole new fresh aspect to your look.DASHING TWEEDS, tweeds, tweed, British tailoring, British tailors, made to measure, menswear, luxury, Savile row, sackville streetWe have a whole range of colours available in small elegant weaves as well as stripes and checks. If you would like us to design a pair of Oxford Bags for you, please do drop by the shop or 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or send us an email.

 

 

Dashing Interviews: Daniele Savaré

Raised in a small town 25km from Milan, Daniele Savaré is the 53 year old creative mind behind the label, Connection Knitwear and Clothing which is handcrafted by skilled artisans in Italy. Immersed in the Mod scooter scene and a lover of vintage cars, Daniele graduated with an Economics degree in 1989 post military service, later working for over 20 years in the Assets Management and Investment Funds Industry as a Portfolio Manager.

We talked to Daniele about fashion, style and the birth of his brand with his partner Camila, which began with knits and later extended into outerwear and tailor-made clothing, combining heritage allure with modern durability, and his love of Dashing Tweeds.

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The mod subculture plays a huge impact on your life, what first attracted you to the scooter scene?

I have always had an instinctive attraction for 60’s and early 70’s sporty cars, since a child. Many of the cars I liked weren’t ‘vintage’ yet, of course. Scooters came a bit later, as a natural consequence. Being involved in the Mod scene in my teens and after some visits to the UK, where the scooter culture was much more developed than in Italy, enhanced this passion. I bought my first scooter, which I still own, as soon as I found a job in 1990.

What scooters and cars do you own?

At the moment I have five Lambrettas, of which one is a sidecar outfit, and a classic car. All of the Lambrettas (a 1957 TV1, a 1960 TV2, a 1963 LI, a 1965 TV200 and a 1966 SX225 with Watsonian Bambini sidecar) are customised. My car is a 1970 Lancia Flavia Coupè 2000, I don’t own modern cars. Before this I owned a 1971 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3S and an Innocenti Mini 1001, which was a bit tuned up.

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What events have you taken part in?

We tend to take part in local rallies for both classic cars and scooters and every now and then there are some track days. Under the mod/ scooter point of view, the event we prefer is the Brighton Mod weekend during the August Bank Holiday. We’d like to attend an event in Japan or the Far East sooner or later such as Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia. We have some friends there who are very dedicated to the scooter scene, making it vibrant and full of life. Who knows, maybe one day.

Is there a particular type of music you listen to?

Mainly jazz, from Bebop to Free.

How would you describe your style and do you have any style icons?

My style during the years (we can say ‘decades’ by now) moved from a ‘purist’, or at least that’ss how I liked to define it, to being more open to other influencers like the 1910s and 1920s dandies or the vintage military and sportswear. I think that the new inputs didn’t water down the mod ‘core’ but on the contrary, it added more of an individual touch.

My first style icons were the jazz musicians portrayed in their dark suits, button down shirts and thin silk or knitted ties on the Blue Note covers. Many Italian and French actors of the 1950s/ 60s cinema were a big influence. It was a period in which good taste was so widespread that you almost couldn’t go wrong, picking this or that.

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How do you achieve your style? Which tailors do you work with and do you also buy vintage?

I like to buy vintage, especially accessories and military pieces, which are also an interesting source of inspiration. As for my own more ‘formal’ attire, I have used a few different tailors along the years. Now I especially like the Neapolitan tailoring style which is based on natural shoulders, soft-structured jackets, lean silhouettes and many small details that, in my opinion, can make the difference. The ‘Sartoria’ we work with for our tailoring collection is based in Naples, and we’re very happy with their job with all of the hand cutting and stitching.

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What is it you like about Dashing Tweeds?

I like the idea behind Dashing Tweeds, the concept of taking traditional British sportswear and fabric from the countryside to a more urban scenario, adding new life and opportunities to one of my favourite materials ever. I like the way Dashing have implemented it, in terms of quality, texture, vibrant colours. It’s the perfect cloth for a modern urban gentleman who is forward minded but with solid roots in tradition.

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To find out more about Connection Knitwear, do check out their website and if you have any questions about our collections that Daniele has used, please visit our shop at 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or check out our website DashingTweeds.co.uk.

 

Dashing around this Spring

As a way of showing you how Dashing can be worn around town we teamed up with three other brands to shoot our Spring/Summer collection. We shot our collection alongside London-based artisanal leather and luxury goods brand Pickett, bespoke shoe brand Gaziano & Girling, and British born eyewear brand Finlay & Co.

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Dashing’s ethos is to create tailored menswear that sidesteps you to a world of original British heritage. The use of our unique cloth designs in an English cut imparts an insouciant modern look that others struggle to match.

Our spring collection uses lightweight Merino wool in cool open weave hopsack structures, tailored using our made to measure service. We styled a two button double breasted with informal patch pockets giving an easy to wear suit for meetings and travel. Our Seti cloth in a navy pinstripes with ombré cotton is suitable as both day and evening wear, and has proved very popular for weddings.

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Wearing a suit in a dressed down way with trainers is perhaps the easiest and most flexible style, looking a cut above anyone else in separates trousers or jeans. Just throw it on with a t-shirt and attitude. Our Cromarty striped fabric fits the bill and wears well without creasing.

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For the more outwardly going and fashionable individuals, our special collaboration with Royal College of Art final graduate Joe Whitbread is definitely a romantic style that is completely original and desirable.

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As a way of showing you how Dashing can be worn around town we teamed up with three other brands for this shoot. Finlay and Co is a eyewear brand that shares the same ethos as Dashing in terms of hand making the sunglasses, which are infused with a rebellious spirit, celebrating the individuality of the wearer.

The only way to describe shoes from Gaziano and Girling is exquisite. Hand made in Kettering within the famous Northamptonshire area of English shoe making, they fuse traditional techniques with a style best described by the Italian term sprezzatura.

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Trevour Pickett’s Mayfair store selling fine crafted leather goods and accessories is a Mayfair institution. For nearly 30 years Pickett has been selling a fabulous range of artisanal luxury products that are so useful they are probably best described as gentleman’s necessities.

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If you’ve liked this post, do keep updated with the brands below, and to see more of our shoot follow us on Instagram!

Finlay & Co
Gaziano & Girling
Pickett

All the best,

The Dashing Team

Time to Big Up British Wool

“We built this city on Work and Wool”. No not Jonathan Ross on a karaoke night out, but the true history of Norwich and many other English cities. It’s hard to believe nowadays just what an important resource British wool used to be. Norwich in the Middle Ages was second only to London due to wealth created from wool exports, and to this day politicians have a constant reminder of this when the Lord Speaker rises from the Woolsack, a stuffed bale placed in the House of Lords by Edward III in the mid 14th century.

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Britain has over 60 native breeds of sheep, more than any other country and the wool from these most useful beasts was highly sought after especially in Flanders where the best weavers worked. A large focus of the Hundred Year War with France was to protect this trade and when conditions became intolerable many Flemish wool workers decided to come here and set up their looms around Norfolk, Suffolk and the Yorkshire Dales.

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The weaving industry started to flourish with help from the government who passed laws including one in the 1570’s which insisted all Englishmen had to wear a woollen cap to church on Sundays. A law which should again be enforced for people going to yoga classes I feel. The influential Campaign for Wool started towards this with their Woolly Hat Day event and more importantly the patron Prince Charles gathered leading members of the industry a couple of years ago to Dumfries House for the signing of a declaration to help the wool beleaguered industry. The annual Wool Week event is also growing awareness since its inception in 2015 when flocks grazed on the freshly turfed Savile Row.

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The good news is that British wool is now starting to become more sought after. Only a few years ago wool from our native sheep had so little value that a whole fleece fetched under one pound at auction, less than the cost of shearing and transport, encouraging farmers just to burn it. The floccinaucinihilipilification of wool has been due in no small part to the creation of synthetic fabrics made from plastics and crude oils. Now at last we are learning that the environmental costs of these cheap clothes is huge, new research shows that even microfibres from synthetics washed at home are entering the food chain, impacting on the welfare of the whole planet.

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Wool is a natural renewable resource and the original cloth of the British Isles but our sheep do tend to have thicker fibres compared with fine Merino yarns coming from Australia. This has led to it’s use in carpets, rugs and even loft insulation. However, with cross breeding and ameliorating climate breeds such as the Bluefaced Leicester and Wensleydale are producing exquisite lustre yarns for suitings and tweeds. A while back we wove a lovely collection with Romney Marsh Wools and soon we will be exploring the use of rare breed sheep for exquisite modern tweed collections. Hopefully soon customers after picking up their morning single estate Guatemalan lattes and Venezuelan Criollo chocolate bars will come in asking for a Jacob Wool jacket and a Clun Forest cap.

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If you have any questions or would like to book a Made to Measure appointment to add a dash of British wool to your wardrobe, please visit us on 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or drop us an email on: holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing your Summer Wardrobe

One morning soon you will be awoken by warm shafts of light and bird songs, with a spring you will leap from bed and rifle through the wardrobe looking for those favourite pieces from last year, the ones that remind you of the sea and orange blossom. Only then will you discover that either the moths have got there first, or you’ve forgotten about that night in the bushes when not only you were shredded. Fear not gentlemen, we can rebuild it, we have the technology, we have the capability to create new made-to-measure trousers and jackets for you, for way under 6 million dollars, if you are old enough to log these misused quotes.

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Our new spring cloths are open fine Merinos, evoking the British seaside. We have stripes and checks as well as plains in rusty navy and a salmon. In addition, our Merino designs from last year proved such a success that we have rewoven the top choices of Seti, as seen above, and Talla.

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Ties or other forms of neck wear, with or without woggles are important additions to formalise any look. I always think a boutonnière, as the French call flowers in the buttonhole, add a finishing touch and some nature to  your suit. Don’t go in for some elaborate floral arrangement, just pick a small bud or even a fresh leaf or sprig of herb from the neighbours garden as you walk pass, a lightness of touch is key. Devil-may-care nonchalance is so much more attractive than studied vanity.

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Our made to measure process could not be easier, and very affordable at £800 for a tailored jacket and £450 for trousers. Drop by the shop, try on the block sizes and then decide what changes you would like. For the trousers we have adjusted the block to create fashionable Oxford Bags by widening the thigh and leg as well as increasing the rise, allowing the trousers to be comfortably worn up on your natural waist, although of course you can decide on any of tailoring styles and features for your better, stronger, faster new wardrobe.

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If you have any questions or would like to book a Made to Measure appointment to add more summer weights into your wardrobe, please visit us on 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7NDt or drop us an email on: holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

 

The History of Colour

For men, wearing colour is much more than just a mood thing. You may be feeling blue or having the luck of a purple patch but the colour of your attire is much more important than mere whim.
 
We have lost the subtle associations of the value of colours over the years, the fact that to obtain enough purple dye for Marcus Aurelius’ toga, over 100,000 Murex snails had to  be ‘milked’ of their prized mucous secretions puts this into perspective. Equally, cochineal red dye used for the red coats of British soldiers up until the mid 19th century relied on a small army of Mexican farmers. Eighty thousand insects, each about a half a centimetre long had to be prized off spiky cactus plants and ground up just for a kilo of dye. A worthwhile investment for army generals who choose red uniforms primarily to disguise blood stains of the wounded. The shocking sight of a bleeding friend could dampen the fervour of your assault.
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Colours, now without monetary associations are still charged with social implications. I find it hard to look at bright orange with out thinking of Guantanamo Bay prisoners and softer shades of saffron cause an inverse Pavlovian response as my ears prick up for the passing bells of Hare Krishna’s. Yes, colour is fraught with so much social coding that it is understandable why many benighted folk retreat under the cover of black. To wear colour well you need a greater deal of sophistication than our average goth or chromatic objector, but the rewards are manifold and both your own life and those around you will be enriched.
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As with so many art forms learning a few simple rules makes it easier to get started on your polychromic journey. Music  provides a good analogy, jumping into dissonant, twelve tone compositions is unlikely to win over your friends, even Boulez and Stockhausen started with simple scales. Leave a clash or even a riot of colour till your have mastered harmony. Start with a simple tone you like, all skins have different hues, it is easier to wear brighter colours if your skin is darker but perhaps start with your eyes and choose a darker shade of blue, green or brown. I have noticed that brighter blues have been becoming more popular over the last few years. The colour I call Pitti blue (after its popularity at the menswear shows in Florence) looks good on most people, it is more vibrant than navy and anything you with wear with it tends to pop out in a pleasing way. Our Seti cloth is slight brighter than navy and the colours of the Japanese yarn stripes are a great start for colour harmonies if you experiment with combinations of shirts, socks and neck wear.
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Ties are a traditional way to apply colour as well as providing coded signals of your interests, clubs and education to the informed. Whilst I’m not advocating a change to traditional formality in the workplace, quite the opposite, I wish I saw more classic gents wearing three piece pinstripes, bowlers and red carnations when I visit the square mile, I do think that your off duty attire should become a time for you to enjoy playing with tonal compositions.  
 
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The trend for brighter menswear is a last gathering pace again, not some much as in the love children of hippies but in the more sophisticated intercourse of tech sports wear and tailoring. Some have named this trend ‘Athleisure’ a bastardisation whose rightful heir is of course Dashing Tweeds.

If you have any questions or would like to book a Made to Measure appointment, please visit us on 47 Dorset Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 7ND or drop us an email on holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

Tie the knot in Dashing

The wedding season is approaching and if you are the groom, best men or just a friend of the bride then now is the time to start thinking about your outfit. I wrote a while ago about the changing trends towards less formal attire,  grey morning tails are moving aside as colourful clothes, sometimes  with a theme, are becoming increasingly popular for weddings. Luckily however, a tailored look is still the aspiration and as men throughout generations have discovered a well fitting suit makes you more look masculine, more elegant and more desirable should you be intending to hitch with a bridesmaid.
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We have found that country weddings with a tweed take have been popular, but if you are a guest for such an occasion then your old shooting suit simply won’t cut the mustard, even the game old birds will not be impressed. Tweed fulfils many functions from camouflage through to urban cycling but one of the main characteristics of the fabric is a sense of enjoyment. We have some takes on classic Glen Urquhart and Glen Coigach inspired designs such as our Chattanooga and Charleston Checks as well as our Dashing Explorer range that transcend this country wedding brief.
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The other trend we have observed is young grooms coming to us for their first made to measure suit. They are looking for an investment piece that they will enjoy for many of their married years. Tailored garments are often sparse in their wardrobe and so ideally the jacket can be worn after the wedding with other trousers or jeans for a smart dress down look. For this brief we have a whole range of creative yet subtle fabrics mainly in our fine Merino worsted quality. Our navy Seti design has proved very popular so we have rewoven this. The subtle hints of colour in the dip dyed Japanese cotton stripe provide both the sophisticated originality required for a wedding as well as the freshness for a night out in town. We also have a whole range of lighter weight Merinos in stripes and checks that when tailored well will elevate you from possibly dreary to dashingly dreamy.
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You may well be reading this with the anticipation of welcoming a new son or daughter in law to the family, the father of the bride or groom plays a pivotal role and whilst you do not wish to steal lime light from the central players, it is desirable to show the youth how to dress with a nonchalant aplomb that befits a man of wisdom.
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We have a new cloth in a navy and black peak design which looks artfully interesting without seeking attention and fits the brief well. Of course, if you are renowned as a colourful bon viveur, and your audience would feel cheated if you did not excel yourself with a creation so joyous and exuberant that earth worms sing open harmonies at your arrival we would also be delighted to help make the special day superlative.
If you have any questions regarding cloth for your wedding or would like to book a Made to Measure appointment, please drop us an email on holly@dashingtweeds.co.uk

Tailors Uncovered: Chittleborough & Morgan

“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.” Taking advice from Oscar Wilde is easier said then done, being a work of art can be rather tiresome as I’m sure Tilda Swinton discovered snoozing in her glass box at the Serpentine Gallery back in ’95. Wearing a work of art should be the ultimate pleasure, enriching the lives of over others around you as well yourself. However, it is no less easy to achieve with style and elegance. Obviously one could don a Chapman brothers mask, but looking like an ethnographic anthropologist on his way back from an Amazonian burger joint may cause some mirth in the boardroom. The answer to the dilemma is to visit Chittleborough & Morgan in Savile Row and order a suit. No matter what cloth you choose the resulting creation will without doubt be an exquisite wearable work of art that will not only turn heads in the right direction but give you unbridled joy in both the bespeaking and the wearing. The reason your suit will be a work of art is quite simply because it will be hand cut and stitched by the most skilled and artistic of tailors, Joe Morgan and his protégé Francis Paley. As with any art, provenance is all-important and the suits cut by Joe Morgan have rested on the shoulders of iconic giants.

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He started tailoring at Wilkinson’s helping to measure up Harold Macmillan on his first day and then as his tailoring talents emerged he moved on as a cutter with Tommy Nutter. Here Joe cut suits in the definitively sharp house style for everyone who was anyone, from the Beatles strolling across Abbey Road to partying lords. All the time perfecting the cut and details, working on seams to smooth away any unnecessary drape from a garment and figuring out how to angle the pitch of armholes forward to avoid a single wrinkle on the chest.

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In the early eighties Joe moved on and started his own tailoring house with Roy Chittleborough another talent from Nutters. Their aim was to carry on developing the most stylised cuts possible and to take traditional tailoring techniques to the absolute limit of menswear couture. In common with all masterpieces no compromise is made at any stage, the finest linen canvassing and horsehair interfacings are sourced and I was amazed by the attention to detail.

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To perfect the dramatic shoulders and high arm holes extra layers of strengthening are added in tiny hand stitched layers that I have never seen in any other Savile Row tailor, and the fabric around the chest and armhole is cajoled with steam to sculptural perfection. Then, to confirm that every possible stage is truly a work of art I spotted the internal stitches of a basting.  Here for a colourful customer the functional threads are most beautifully sewn into a cat and pineapple, the fact that no one will ever see them and only the client will know is testament to a level of detail beyond meticulous. The passion for perfection in the workroom is palpable and all the young apprentices delight in this level workmanship. I was proudly shown photos of Dashing creations from a few weeks before where our checks are aligned in way I did not think was possible on a curved sleeve.

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For many tailors innovation is not on the agenda but when I asked Joe if he had developed new ideas recently he instantly showed me trousers with a lap seam that I immediately lusted after. The high waisted wide legged trousers had an immaculate overlapping seam running the entire length of the leg including the pocket and were examples of the most outstanding craftsmanship.

Standing elegantly tall Joe conducts proceedings in the house with energy and charisma sharing his knowledge and good humour. He is a great fan of our fabrics mainly due to freshness of our designs and the characters that bring them in for tailoring.

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In the present climate where large brands dominate and people are swayed into buying ersatz luxury, walking into Chittleborough & Morgan and seeing a totally British style at the most refined and modern is like discovering treasure of legend. I strongly advise you to pay them a visit and you will leave feeling a million dollars.

To find out more about Chittleborough & Morgan do pop in and visit them at 12 Savile Row, Mayfair, London W1S 3PQ check out their website for more details

Dashing Man: Oliver Gerrish

I first met Oliver singing at a young Georgian society ball, elegantly dressed for the evening in silk breeches, a frock coat and cravat combining all of his many talents with panache and polish.

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A highly trained and talented countertenor, Oli has been singing practically since the cradle starting professional lessons at 10 and becoming a choral scholar at Lichfield Cathedral not long after. Whilst singing in the medieval cathedral he would gaze up from the choir and admire the exquisite architecture, as well I’m sure as meditating on the wise and foolish virgins standing erect on the chapel pillars. Such early immersion in the glories of decorated gothic with the sun setting during Evensong can have profound effects on a young man and would lay the foundations for later study.

In so swift a time, nature robs the angelic choirboy of his timbre and the rough and tumble of life advances. The playing fields of Harrow lay awaiting, although they were not heavily trampled by Oliver, who managed with great acclaim to carry on his musical studies. Following sixth form, Oliver was in a quandary as to the direction his life should take, the lure of music won and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama conservatoire was honoured to have him as a pupil. New talent is the greatest desire for teachers and Oliver was fought over, winning out to a teacher of classical opera.

However, the deep interest in architecture was not diminished by years of vocal training and following the Guidhall, Oliver wished to take up a masters course in building history in Britain at Wolfson College Cambridge. Initially the college was skeptical with regards to Oliver’s conservatoire education but upon learning that he had not only set up a whole under 35’s arm to the Georgian Group, but was also one of the youngest feature writers of Country Life Magazine. They were left in no doubt as to his intellectual caliber.

Several years on, Oliver is now extremely busy and sort after in numerous directions. He set up the first Great British Tour which gives unbridled access to the finest Country houses of Britain as part of educational architectural tours. The sorties are taken by Oliver and his charming wife Zuleika during the summer months and receive magnificent praise from participants. When not touring houses, Oliver is busy working as a consultant with Lady Caroline Percy with their joint business of Historic Decoration. Through talks at her ancestral home of Syon House, they educate already erudite designers on the finer points of period décor, enabling the finest of finishing touches.

As if this were not enough, Oliver still finds time to programme and perform for the New Georgian Opera company which he set up with soprano Alexandra Kennedy in 2008. Like all perfectly brought up children, Oliver is a helpful son and when time allows he uses his highly tuned eyes to help his mother purchase jewels and diamond rings for her business, The Antique Jewellery Company. There is always a thrill in buying fine quality antique jewels and even more of one when young sweet hearts buy them to plight their troth.

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I caught up with Oliver recently at a recital he was giving in Burgh House, accompanied by lute and piano. He was sporting his favourite Dashing suit in our New Plum Peak design and pleased his wife by wearing the witty present of a shirt printed with common architectural vernaculars. He loves the heritage and originality of Dashing as well as the unique Britishness of the fabric woven in Scotland. The fact that he is unlikely to bump into too many people wearing the same is always comforting and “it just makes me feel very cool”.

 

Dashing Man: Sloan Hickman

 

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Sloan has a knack of being at the right place at the right time in the right kit. Growing up in Chelsea after an early childhood in San Francisco, Sloan was definitely where it’s at. Hanging out with fellow Etonians and the odd Harrovian down the Kings Road when it had originality to offer. Sloan would saunter down to Granny Takes a Trip and then groove along to Kensington Market in search of the perfect shaped loons (those fabulously shaped trousers with a kick from the knee) to wear for the evening ahead. Being a huge fan of live music, he would head his pack of like-minded cats east towards the legendary Marquee or 100 club for night of raucous rock and escapades.

Following school, Sloan picked up his camera and started to earn money as a photographer taking artistic family portraits and realising that a career in photography and film was what really interested him. He enrolled into a whole new type of course in North East London specialising in Communications Design, just as the world was readying itself for a hay day of advertising. The course led to a job working for a Graphic Designer in Soho, assisting on large corporate accounts at the time advertising agents were moving into the buzzing area.

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A move into video production came when Sloan was offered a job at Dingwalls in Camden. The venue running along the banks of the Regents Canal had just installed one of the very first video setups and Sloan was in charge of the cameras, for mediocre bands he could sit in the DJ booth and operate them remotely but on days when Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders were on stage he would jump in front with his camera and shoot close up angles. It was on such a day that Chrissie suggested Sloan would love New York…and he did. “It was before The Bonfire of the Vanities, so English people were still regarded quite well” says Sloan as he regaled me with stories of directing music videos an managing five camera setups on live TV. He experienced the Punk wave for the second time as it travelled across the pond and coerced camera men to brave the mosh pits of live gigs for fabulous footage as he had done previously.

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Returning from time in the States, Sloan moved into production for the Moving Picture Company, working on memorable adverts for brands such as Scotch Tape with that talking skeleton. Sloan worked with Bernard Lodge renown for this work on Doctor Who, Aliens and Blade Runner. They would often film at Bray Studios, the famous Hammer horror owned estate where model sets for Ridley Scott’s Aliens were created in one studio whilst vampires haunted the others!

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Sloan’s life in graphics and film has honed his eye for originality and quality so it comes as no surprise that he is a huge fan of Dashing. Our concept of heritage and technology piqued his interest and Sloan’s first Dashing suit was tailored for him in our Dashing Explorer cloth, a modern British wool check suitable for town and country. The fine reflective thread in the design adds a subtle delight should a beam of light strike at the right angle. Sloan has his Dashing suits tailored by Russell at Graham Browne, and the tailor is now his first point of call when wanting an addition to his wardrobe. His latest suit in our Red Tappet cloth has become a firm favourite, the cleverly broken up check look both sophisticated and relaxed, making it suitable for business meetings when Sloan is sharing his knowledge through consultancy and when he is off out to more nights of live music.

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Dashing Man: Graeme Thomas King

Dashing discusses the theatre, style inspirations and future endeavours with British actor and model, Graeme Thomas King giving you a better insight into the life of one of our Dashing men.

Can you give us a little background on your life?

I was born and raised in Portsmouth and still call it home. After finishing my schooling, I travelled around a bit and spent some time in Australia before deciding it was probably a good idea to go to university if I ever wanted to get a job. I attended the university of Liverpool, a wonderful city full of wonderful people. I have many fond memories of my time there. I guess I caught the academic bug because upon graduating I decided to take on a masters at Kings College London, which brought me to the capital. “You can never be overdressed or overeducated”. I take Oscar Wilde very seriously. After Kings I spent a short time working in finance before making the switch to acting. I travelled to New York City to study at the William Esper Studio where I completed my formal acting training.

When did you decide acting was for you? What was your first break/appearance?

Acting was something I always wanted to do but I never knew how to do it. Acting encompasses everything I’ve always wanted out of a career and life ultimately. The engagement with people, creating something together and working towards something that is bigger than me as an individual that will hopefully have a positive impact on others. That’s why I wanted to act. Film, TV and theatre have always been so inspiring to me and I’m hopeful I can give some of that inspiration back now. The arts in general are so important to society as a cathartic experience that we can all experience together. They help us get through the bad times and help us celebrate the good times. I do owe my entrance into acting to a chance encounter on a London bus where I was asked to be in a short film. That did spur me to consider taking acting seriously as a potential option. I haven’t looked back since.

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What are your other hobbies and interests?

I am an avid sports fan, a life long Portsmouth Football Club supporter and a huge cricket fan. This is still my sport of choice. I do love to learn, which I suppose is why I studied so much. It is something I could see myself going back to later in life. If I weren’t acting, I would most likely be doing a PHD in something. I love reading, which I suppose combines with the education. I’m always reading at least three different books on the go. Another passion of mine has always been fashion. Especially in acting, it’s amazing how a person can change once you put a costume or specific outfit on them. I do purchase too many clothes though.

Describe your personal style, do you have style icons?

I certainly do have style icons and they are where I get my inspiration from. I’ve always believed in simplicity when it comes to style and it’s something I try to always adhere to. James Dean has always been a huge inspiration to me, his clothes never seemed to fit him properly but he wore them so well. Paul Newman is another man who had pure class and just looked good in everything. Again, his outfits were made up of very simple, classic pieces. He and James Dean never seemed to try too hard. Eddie Redmayne always looks fantastic and I love his clothing choices, he mixes casual and smart so well. I have never seen David Gandy dress badly and he probably ha the wardrobe I envy most of all. Overall, my personal style maxim’s are just to keep it simple, making sure my clothes fit me relatively well (using tailoring if necessary), and stocking up on classic, quality items.

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What is it you like about Dashing? 

First of all, I love tweed. It’s quintessentially British and Dashing always reminds me of that. I absolutely love the mix of classic items like many of the overcoats we shot with, and more unique items that has Guy’s personality all over them. Dashing for me is so unique in the sense it has taken something that was considered very stated such as tweed and tweed patterns, and has thrust it into the 21st century. The clothes are so fun and out there, but it’s still grounded with such superb quality and craftsmanship that makes the pieces wonderful to wear. It’s great to see a brand that enables people to show off a side of their personalities that they might not be able otherwise to express. I personally cannot think of tweed now without associating it with Dashing Tweeds.

What is your dream acting job?

Such a tough question. Sir Mark Rylance has always been a huge inspiration to me and in many ways I credit him with helping me to get into acting. It would be an absolute honour and privilege to share a stage or screen with him. I would learn so much and have an absolute ball at the same time. I personally love period dramas, and there are so many I would love to be a part of one day. I know Journey’s End has just been revived in film format and to do that in the West End would be a dream. Shakespeare is the ultimate challenge for me and to do it on a professional stage is a goal. I think it’s the barometer actors set their own standards against. A specific role I would love to play one day would be James Dean, I could see myself doing that. Ultimately, I just want to make meaningful work that moves people and makes them think differently. I love telling people’s stories, it’s an honour.

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Do you travel often?

I love travelling and have been fortunate to see a lot of the world. I recently spent time in New York but still believe London is the best city in the world.

Any final comments?

Check out the Dashing Tweed shop and meet the team, especially George the dog! I guarantee you’ll find something that will make you fall in love and something that will inspire you.

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Tailors Uncovered : Anderson and Sheppard

When it comes to the discreet, elegant service that you would expect of Savile Row Tailors then none are as exquisite as Anderson and Sheppard. With no need to brag and ‘under the radar’ as the usual command to the pilot, A&S customers are a discerning and elusive crowd. Heads of state, industrialists, designers and  movie stars all frequent the establishment tucked around the corner from the main drag of tailors.

Like all good tailoring houses A&S have ` Per Anderson, apprentice to the great Frederick Scholte perfected the idea of tailoring based on the natural drape of fabric rather than the highly structured construction of the other Savile Row tailors with military backgrounds. The result is a incredibly comfortable suit that hangs neatly from the shoulders and gives the wearer the feeling that they are in charge rather than being coerced into proportion by tailoring.

 The soft shoulder line of my evening suit.

The secret is achieving a fine balance of savoir-faire drape without looking limp, as I amusingly find the Italian retranslation of the look. This is all to do with the cut of the arm holes. The expertise of A&S is in the way they can create small armholes high-up in the body. This enables a great range of movement without the collar lifting at all from the neck when raising your arms. Through the combination of their soft canvassing, meticulous hand sewing and understated shoulder pads you feel as light as a waltz, which was probably why Fred Astaire was a regular customer.

All the sleeves are hand sewn to achieve the famously comfortable shoulder. The workshops below the shop floor are the as organised and tidy as the rest of the house.

Trousers are never as simple as they seem, some pairs find you tugging at the waistband like an ingénue at her first ball and others are just perfect. My A&S trousers all fall into the latter category. Again the secret is in a cut developed by Sidney Sheppard, a trouser cutter par excellence and a fitting associate for Per.  Analogous to the comfortable arm holes, trousers are designed to sit high on your natural waist and the house is rightly keen on promoting the use of braces which not only enable them to cut their famous fish tail backs but also keep the line of the leg furrow free.

Danny Hall striking out on a linen cloth.

My A&S suits where all cut by the long serving master tailor  Mr Hitchcock who has now handed the shears and expertise to Danny Hall on the coat making side of things whilst John Malone is still busy cutting the most refined trousers. Bearing in mind the expertise of A&S when it comes to evening wear I choose to have my black tie tailored by them. The term refers more to a style than fabric. I used our fine Merino with purple dots on a ground of dark navy, a balance of formal and amusing which brightens most dinners. Needless to say the lightness of the three piece suit with silk facings has encouraged much dancing and as you can see still looks fresh after 10 years of wear.

Exquisite finishing and button holes on my waistcoat.

Shears in the skilled hands of John Malone

The whole of Anderson and Sheppard is beautifully overseen by wonderful Anda Rowland. Her highly educated eye, knowledge of luxury and business ensures the smooth running of the house. Her forward looking programme of training apprentices at all levels means that standards are always kept up for now and into the future.

Classic high waisted trousers with a fish tail for braces. I chose to have the brace buttons sewn inside.

Pressing is a surprisingly skilled job which takes years to get right, too much pressure can ruin a suit.

If an easy elegance in tailoring at the highest level is what you are after then A&S is for you. This quote from Fred Astaire seems appropriate for the fabulously run tailor. “If it doesn’t look easy it is that we have not tried hard enough yet”

Colin, always a friendly face at the front of house, do go in and chat to him.

If an easy elegance in tailoring at the highest level is what you are after then A&S is for you. This quote from Fred Astaire seems appropriate for the fabulously run tailor. “If it doesn’t look easy it is that we have not tried hard enough yet”.

Joyous Dressing for Christmas

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Tis the season to be jolly. All that fa la la la-ing and wassailing is to be looked forward to even with an inevitable starry head and drum tight tummy once the mull is over.

No one wants a scrooge at their party, but you may well say humbug when being coerced into a gaudy Christmas jumper. Even with my dedicated to Yule tide merry making, I draw the line at bauble elves and rutting stags invading my wardrobe. It is of course perfectly possible to walk a tight rope stretching between festive and fashionable, needless to say we can support you in the balancing act.

Firstly, something tackle the snow, which could well lay deep, crisp and even. Forget about the dull waxed jacket or dark evening coat, you need to arrive with the generous spirit of Wenceslas in a cherry tweed coat, such as our Ben Lawers Raglan, or Herringbone along with a Check Me Out merino scarf to keep you warm.

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We have just commissioned a selection of jumpers to be knitted for us in Scotland using the colourful flecked Donegal wools of our winter wave, these are festive yet elegant and light enough to wear under one of our jackets.

Dashing Tweeds, Menswear, British Tailor, British Tailoring, Made to MeasureTies and pocket squares are of course a classic way to add colour to your festive look. We have worked with an English tie maker to add a more fashionable element to our lighter weight Merino wools into neck wear and several feature our Lumatwill threads which will add a degree of luminosity to your look should the camera flash come out. Our pocket squares by Madeline are original, colourful mini works of art that will bring cheer to any breast pocket and can be whipped out to perform magic should you be blessed with a gift. I favour silk scarves as a great way to bridge the gap of formality whilst keeping decorum and our pieces designed by Arlette are both witty and with it.

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Trousers are often a let down when it comes to dressing up. There seems to be two camps, those who try to wear amusingly coloured corduroy and those who don’t. However, there are other choices and we have a few playful pairs including our trews. You may think that trews are just Scottish trousers but they are in fact a distinctive cut developed many years ago by the military. Interestingly, trews feature no outside seam on the leg enabling checked patterns to be perfectly matched around the thighs, right down to the ankles. Looking so smart they have become part of the mess dress for Scottish regiments and our pairs cut for us by Davies and Son of Savile Row in a jolly yellow and black urban check will have you passing parade. They are well worth trying on when paying us a visit.

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Lastly, as a topping so to speak don’t forget a hat. Our flat caps made by a family business in Yorkshire will coordinate with your joyous look, brighten up the evening and keep your nut warm. When it comes to colour I imagine Good King Wenceslas was a jolly dresser in silk robes and ermin. His song should be a missive to us all “Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread thou in them boldly. Thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly’.

 

 

 

Dashing around for Christmas gifts?

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There’s no hiding, sooner rather than later you are going to have to do some Christmas shopping.

Your loved ones would definitely like something beautifully British and not ubiquitous. We have the answer, all sorts of handcrafted desirable creations made from our original modern tweed designs.

We have pioneered Lumatwill reflective tweed fabric and had to make it into a range of classic flat caps in Yorkshire as well as working with Hiro and Wolf to craft a collection of dog collars and leads. For a more generous present we can tailor a one-off cycle blazer for men or an elegant ladies cape, which looks good on or off bike.

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For simple gifts, we offer wool duffle bags, over the shoulder musette bags and gloves in a barley corn structured Harris tweed. Our Donegal wool overcoats have been a great success and we have used the same wools in a small range of knitwear that has just arrived in from Scotland.

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We have been working with a Swiss graphic artist, Arlette Ess, and used her witty designs of Allen Keys and Bike Chains to screen print silk dress scarves which brighten up any Christmas suit and are a great replacement for ties on relaxing evenings. We also offer a range of lambswool scarves from Holly’s brand Check Me Out.

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I’m sure we can help tick at least a couple of Dashing folks off our list and leave you time for pondering other conundrums like how to fit four drinks parties into one night.

We are always here to offer advice on gifts and sizing, just email me anytime at Guy@DashingTweeds.co.uk

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If you are having trouble deciding what to buy then you can purchase a Gift Voucher from us. The golden vouchers can be bought to any value and will enable the holder to exchange them for their value of cloths, garments, accessories or tailoring.

These vouchers can be purchased online or in store at 26 Sackville Street

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Tailors Uncovered: Graham Browne

The world of tailoring is full of characters but few shine brighter than Russell Howarth. Not only a star in the cutting room but also on the compelling show, Victoria Slum, aired last year – in which Russell and his family had to live and work as Victorian tailors.

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Russell learned his rock of eye (the fabled ability of master tailors to visualise cloth in three dimensions) in the best possible way, by cutting thousands of uniforms for the military elite. Whilst working for Kashkets, everyone from The Household Cavalry to Sandhurst Officers would come to be measured up by Russell. By it’s very nature, the creation of the uniform requires soldiers of all shapes and sizes to look the same whilst on parade. Good tailoring can perfect the asymmetries of sloping shoulders and straighten a stoop. I’ve often been told that it’s far easier to look good by visiting a decent tailor than a gym, which is without a doubt true when you consider the expense and effort of paying to pump iron rather than pick cloth.

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Following his time at Kashkets, Russell decided to make the bold move taking over the well-respected city tailor’s, Graham Browne, with the help of his right hand man, Dan. Within the sound of the Bow Bells, the duo then did what they do best – cutting a fine whistle for a bag of sand. That’s not all; Russell and Dan are able to create fabulous bespoke creations of all kinds. I often enjoy bumping into a Pike Man from the Lord Mayors’ ceremonial guard or a fastidious customer perfecting the box pleat on this overcoat when paying them a visit. The shop is in a pedestrian passage off Bow Lane and is unsurprisingly always busy, with their recent expansion of new workshops downstairs.

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I’ve known Russell for almost 18 years since he tailored me a classic grey flannel suit as my first ever bespoke piece and then my original cycling suit in a burgundy corduroy before the conception of Dashing. Wearing this triggered the idea of weaving with reflective yarns and so Russell was the first to produce a Lumatwill cycle suit for me and then the famous cyclist and inventor of the mountain bike, Gary Fisher.

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Russell and Dan seem to delight in the challenges I’ve thrown at them over the years. Most recently, we worked together with Ben Drew, the singer known as Plan B, to create a tailored take on the famous green bomber worn by skin heads for his latest video which is out soon.

Plan B, Ben Drew

Over the years, they have made all sorts of fabulous clothes for me and also for the Dashing shop including our novel twisted check trousers, which take inspiration from the cut of riding breeches, yet look entirely modern.

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Whether you look for a classic grey flannel city suit, or something amusing for the weekend, or if you’re even thinking of starting your regiment – then there is no question that Russell is the man for you.

 

Dashing Tweed’s aim is to give men and women a greater choice of fabrics by designing their own unique range of woven cloth all woven in the UK.
All the fabrics are available to buy by the metre, and Dashing Tweeds can tailor jackets, trousers, suits and coats for both men and women using any of their unique fabrics for any occasion.

47 Dorset Street, London, W1U 7ND
+44 (0) 207 486 6882
Guy@DashingTweeds.co.uk

Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday closed
Appointments can be booked when the store is closed

 

 

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