FACTORY VISIT NO.1 : STEVENAGE

M&I spent a fascinating morning at (the now closed) Stevenage Knitting Co. Expect a full write up soon but, in the meantime, feel free to see more on our Facebook page.

STEVENAGE KNITTING COMPANY : VIDEO

We have been looking forward to sharing this video with our audience since discovering it a couple of months ago. Many thanks to Mr. Sam Pinkstone for allowing this to happen.

NATIONAL WOOL WEEK: SAVILE ROW FIELD DAY

M&I joined a bunch of farmers, tailors and some hacks on Savile Row yesterday to mark the start of National Wool Week.

On a beautifully sunny day, the Row was turned in to a mini strip of countryside - complete with two flocks of sheep (Wiltshire Exmoor Horns and Bowmonts from Devon, if you're interested) and gents in corduroy milling about.

We were lucky enough to meet Patrick, chief cutter at Huntsman, who showed us the entire business, from stock rooms through to the tailors at the top of the building. During our tour Patrick told us about the democratic selection process of the season's Huntsman tweed whereby each sample is laid out on the floor for a month to be walked over and ticked with chalk when favoured. A simple way to cast a vote. We also discussed making suits for demanding Arabic customers, Millwall Football Club and Colin Hammick, the famous Huntsman tailor who passed away in 2008.

Thank you to the organisers of Savile Row Field Day and special thanks to Tom and Poppy who looked after us. We look forward to our next visit to the Row.

For more pictures please click here