18 November 2012

The Perfect Gentleman: The Pursuit of Timeless Elegance and Style in London (James Sherwood)

From the publisher:

'In an age of globalization with fashion trends that change by the day, the quality and workmanship of the great British luxury brands endure and flourish like never before. Valued for their craftsmanship, superlative quality, exclusivity, and the status they confer on their owners, these “heritage houses” have been synonymous with the finest production for hundreds of years.

This lavish publication celebrates the gentleman’s search for the perfect sartorial detail or the ideal accessory. It features six historical chapters, from the Regency period to the present, each of which presents classic British marques, including shoemakers, jewelers, shirt and tie makers, cloth makers, perfumers, hatters, and vintners. The final chapter showcases the new generation of designer-artisans who are redefining notions of quality and handwork in the era of globalization and digital technologies. A reference section presents the London gentleman’s social world, from the shopping arcade (Burlington) to hotels (The Savoy) and the member’s clubs and antiquarians in between.'

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

A proper suit (or any clothing of high quality) even second hand is far better than the newest, flashy concoctions.

Everyone seems hell bend on others seeing the label and knowing how much it cost. My mind only hears "I paid too much for a piece of shit."

Ryu said...

What a handsome cover.

La Sombra Sofisticada said...

I've considered ordering this. Have you read it LBF? Thumbs up or down?

Richard Head said...

Thumbs down. The blurb that Coddy quotes is stuffed with solecisms. Clearly the Perfect Gentleman no longer speaks English well.

? said...

La Sombra Sofisticada,

Thumbs up. It goes well beyond bespoke clothing to firearms, tobacco stores, etc. It is a book about British craftsmanship.

I highly recommend it.