This is the true-life story of a boy who quit school to become an apprentice on Savile Row, home to London's most venerable tailors, and wound up owning his own shop on the world-famous 'Golden Mile', where he hand-cuts exquisite suits for a clientele including royalty, politicians, literati, business tycoons, and media stars. On a bright, bitterly cold and snowy morning in January 1982, 17-year-old Richard Anderson made his way with his father to an interview at Savile Row's illustrious Henry Huntsman & Sons. They were late, but Richard got the job, with its meagre salary of only GBP2,000 a year, and his life was changed forever. Huntsman was arguably the world's most prestigious tailoring house, and Richard's apprenticeship proved a humbling ordeal overseen by three titans of the trade: the formidably debonair Colin Hammick, fellow chain-smoker and grumpy eccentric Brian Hall, and Dick Lakey, the company's heroically overworked 'leg man'. Training under these men in the arcane art of making trousers and coats that could cost as much as GBP10,000 was an inspiring but also gruelling game, yet 'Young Richard' persisted for 17 more years of rigorous practice in perfectionism and prestige - to become, at 34, the youngest head cutter in Huntsman's 150-year history. Witty and told with great candour, Bespoke is a fascinating behind-the-scenes expose of life on Savile Row from one of the world's most celebrated and successful tailors.
Bespoke
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Review
'Bespoke is an honest, entertaining (very often funny) and insightful autobiographical account' -- Benicio Del Toro
'I think Richard is the best out there' -- Simon Cowell
'Richard Anderson - the traditions of Savile Row with a modern twist'
-- Bryan Ferry
'I think Richard is the best out there' -- Simon Cowell
'Richard Anderson - the traditions of Savile Row with a modern twist'
-- Bryan Ferry
Review
'Bespoke is an honest, entertaining (very often funny) and insightful autobiographical account'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By PETER KING
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book is like a Richard Anderson suit - no unnecessary padding, just the right size and well worth the price. Unlike so many books of this type Anderson has written a highly informative book on what. at first sight, might appear to be an esoteric subject, in an entertaining and interesting manner. My only criticism is that, having read the book and seen what it takes to create a bespoke suit, I can never again complain about the high cost of the finished product!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By P. Cheslaw
Format:Hardcover
This is a fantastic read. I throughly enjoyed the book which reads like a novel but in the process educates the reader to both the recent history of English bespoke tailoring and what goes into making a fine mens garment. Having enjoyed this so much my only disappointment is that while I can now appreciate what goes into making a bespoke suit the classic that it is I am unlikely to be able too afford to partake of the Savile Row experience myself. I now walk through life with a heightened appreciation for what I dont have!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I can't believe all I learned about the tailoring industry! It was honest, humorous and very informative. Apparently, a great deal of research went into this novel and I applaud everyone who had a hand in its publication.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I loved this book so much I bought two more as gifts. Brilliant writing, funny, interesting- I loved every word.
Published 9 months ago by small fry
1.0 out of 5 stars
Kindle edition
Am I reading this right? Kindle edition is 2 quid more than the *hardback* and nearly double the price of the paperback? Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2011 by Colonel White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best thing I've read in ages
I don't know if Richard Anderson had help with writing this, but if it's all his own work then he's not only a brilliant tailor but a brilliant writer as well. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2010 by Mrs. Susan N. Boulding
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfectly Cut
Very interesting & surprisingly well written too (I don't know if he employed a ghost writer, but anybody that's endured the 'Janet & John' writing style of Peter Kay's "The Sound... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2010 by FAC191
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fabulous book
I highly enjoyed reading the story of Richard Anderson's professional life, whilst discovering so many secrets of the world famous Savile Row techniques. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2010 by La Mode Le Club
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth a read
Excellent book, a real flashback to when apprentices where real apprentices and not a part of a non existent government scheme. Read it
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by Mr. Graham Tebby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smooth, but not ripped.
I bought this book, out of curiosity, because I had bought a suit from the same man. I did not know what to expect. Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2009 by R. S. Mathews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Throughly entertaining
A witty and enlightening insight into the workings of Savile Row. Throughly recommend - an entertaining read. Bespoke: Savile Row Ripped and Smoothed
Published on 1 Sep 2009 by Gibbo
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