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Wharf Life Apr 25-May 9, 2019 wharf-life.com
Canary Wharf
4-5
Number of weeks it typically takes English Tailoring to make a bespoke suit
Master tailor and English Tailoring shop manager Ray Roberts has 56 years experience and clearly relishes delivering
how English Tailoring delivers one-off garments as standard for those in search of bespoke style
quality to the firm’s clients
by Jon Massey
T
sew everything just
Image by Matt Grayson – find his work at graysonphotos.co.uk or @mattgrayson_photo on Insta
he window displays at English Tailoring on South Colonnade are proof positive that subtle marketing works. Filled with rich reds and blues alongside the more sober dinner suits and business attire, they’ve been a feature of my patrols round Canary Wharf for more than a decade. I’d always meant to go in and have a nose. Finally, the thought had nagged long enough and action was taken. The light wood panelling of the shop’s interior is in contrast to the cool marble, steel and glass aesthetic of the Wharf – a warm, honeyed cocoon away from the rush of the estate outside. For 22 years it has been the domain of master tailor and shop manager Ray Roberts. Following a six month stint in ladies fashion in 1963, he won an apprenticeship at Hector Powe and studied at the London College Of Fashion before going on to train tailors for his employer. Hector Powe was also where he met English Tailoring founder Stephen Williams who worked in the company s design o ce. “Stephen started after myself – I’m the old boy,” said Ray. “In 1978 we decided we would do it for ourselves and I’ve been with him ever since. “We’re only a small workforce, everything is done in-house. We don’t farm out work anywhere and the people who work with us, we’ve all been together all that time. It’s a real family business.” The Canary Wharf premises are used for meeting clients, taking measurement, fittings and the final construction of the garments, while the rest of the team are based at a workshop where cloth is cut and seamstresses labour. I realise, halfway through asking the question, how ridiculous trying to compare something bought off the peg with what this shop sells is. English Tailoring’s suits start at , . ut the service it offers is totally individual, designed to result in a garment the client is completely satisfied with. There s no settling here. Its walls are thick Continued on page 8