Any Richard Anderson customers?

[RSS]

Originally Posted by dopey

Someone should point Huntsman to this thread. I would love to hear their perspective.
It will not be I.

Why you trouble maker, you. As a citizen of Great Britain (dual national here) I do hope I am not dragged -- kicking and screaming it's dopey's fault -- into court!

I will add here a part of what I said in a PM to Dopey.

Bargeman's bunch lost Huntsman in 2004 ... and it's my understanding that the new owners have a more sincere interest in tailoring. The quality may indeed be improving again ... even if the old system of coat making is no more. Although I do know for a fact that much of the best talent went over to Richard Anderson ... that's not to say Huntsman has lost everyting.

I know Peter Smith ... and have only good things to say about him. In fact it has pained me when he has been at the front window as I walk by on my way to RA. My last Huntsman cutter was Terry Haste ... and I liked his work.

Back in the AAAC days, I once made a remark about Sulka ... that at their worst they were still far better than most. My comment was, of course, in reference to the often heard criticism about the depths to which Sulka had fallen from their glory days. So even if RA has much of the old Huntsman talent ... I would imagine that Huntsman is still better than most.

 

[lasbar]

Are Libel laws are different in the US and the UK?

SF has been created for us to be honest and sincere . It will be a pain if censorship curtails the flow of information available to us.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by lasbar

Are Libel laws are different in the US and the UK?

SF has been created for us to be honest and sincere . It will be a pain if censorship curtails the flow of information available to us.


It's my understanding they are quite different ... but then I'm not a lawyer (US) ... neither am I a solicitor or barrister (UK).

Come to think of it ... I'm not a barista either. I say this because some time back I noted on the Wikipedia page about Barista ...

"This article is about coffeehouse bartenders. For lawyers, see Barrister."​

 

[alebrady]

Originally Posted by lasbar

I do sadly agree with you RSS and I do think that the highl pricing policy is mainly based on the Huntsman's name more than on superior skills.


It is why I'm calling myself innocent and naive .I do sometimes prefer buying a piece of pseudo history than to make an informed choice based on pure skills and savoir faire.

It is a part of my personality , a sentimental piece of my personal jigsaw.

I will have the Huntsman's name and legend out of my system very soon and I'm sure my horizon will be broaden by another sartorial experience.

Thank you for your advice.

You don't need to make any apologies for this - I, for one, have come around to simply accept that bespoke is more than just the finished garment. It is all of the intangibles that come along with it - the experimentation, excitement, dialogue, creative process, and yes the history.

I know it makes absolutely no rational sense...but despite my recognition that I am not as strongly drawn to the drape side of the spectrum (and despite the fact that I have that side covered with an excellent tailor already) I still am fairly certain that at some point I will get 1 A&S house tweed. I know they are not the same house that they were..I have seen poor examples of fit from them...but its A&S and I want a tweed from there.

Incidentally, I had gone through a somewhat similar dilemna that you had/have over a year ago. I liked the aethetics of the hacking style and didn't know if I wanted to try Richard or go with the established (even if waning) reputation of Huntsman. I ended up choosing Richard, after stopping by the shop and talking with him. Every now and again I still feel a tug toward Huntsmans, for the same reason as A&S...but, for some reason (perhaps just the equation with Richard) I feel less certain that I would ever try Huntsman.

One last thing - I think you certainly need to decide whether to give RA a try for yourself..but PLEASE do not let any potential intimidation of the man, himself, sway you. He really is quite approachable, friendly, and down to earth...as RSS says, sure there is an artistic flamboyance to him but I view this as a positive.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by alebrady

...PLEASE do not let any potential intimidation of the man, himself, sway you. He really is quite approachable, friendly, and down to earth...

I couldn't have said this better.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by RSS

I couldn't have said this better.

S., did Anderson recreate the old Huntsman system of specialist tailors for different operations, or do the do the usual thing of having just three (coatmaker, trousermaker and finish tailor)?

- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by alebrady

Incidentally, I had gone through a somewhat similar dilemna that you had/have over a year ago. I liked the aethetics of the hacking style and didn't know if I wanted to try Richard or go with the established (even if waning) reputation of Huntsman. I ended up choosing Richard, after stopping by the shop and talking with him. Every now and again I still feel a tug toward Huntsmans, for the same reason as A&S...but, for some reason (perhaps just the equation with Richard) I feel less certain that I would ever try Huntsman.

Did you like what you got? I'm thinking of something along those lines, but for actual riding.


- B

 

[lasbar]

Originally Posted by RSS

I couldn't have said this better.

There is also quite a price difference , nearly a thousand pounds , on my last worsted flannel golden bale project who may push me further towards trying Richard Anderson.

I want a 1 button single breasted notch lapel but my main interrogation are the pockets.

Do i go for a standard flap and a ticket pocket or do i go for the slightly angled hacking pockets?
As i wear my suit to go out , i can get away with it even if i do not want to get an uber British look on my suit.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by alebrady

...bespoke is more than just the finished garment. It is all of the intangibles that come along with it - the experimentation, excitement, dialogue, creative process, and yes the history.

I know it makes absolutely no rational sense...but despite my recognition that I am not as strongly drawn to the drape side of the spectrum (and despite the fact that I have that side covered with an excellent tailor already) I still am fairly certain that at some point I will get 1 A&S house tweed. I know they are not the same house that they were..I have seen poor examples of fit from them...but its A&S and I want a tweed from there.

I can completely understand what you are saying.

I began using Anderson & Sheppard in the 1970s ... and remained there until the middle 90s. I then went over to Huntsman ... and in 2002 moved on with Richard. However, just a couple of years ago I went back to A&S and had them make up a coat in house tweed ... in a cloth that had continued to tug at me every time I saw it.

Some at SF may feel this exhibits an inconsistency of style ... but that worries me not. I achieve a definite consistency in other ways. Why just yesterday a good friend told me about so-and-so who was wearing a tweed that had my name on it. Obviously I have a consistency of style or I wouldn't hear such things.

Originally Posted by lasbar

Rss , I really had a great time there for my first suit .

I'm not qualified enough to notice the quality of the work in a way guys like you and Manton will be able to do... I just enjoy my suit with the pleasure of an innocent man.

The customer service is still superb and Johnny Allen is a lovely guy .

Originally Posted by lasbar

I do think that the highl pricing policy is mainly based on the Huntsman's name more than on superior skills.

Compared to Rubinacci or Norton , I must admit the all operation appeared more professionally run and their customer service is impeccable even if i did enjoy Chiara's coffee and the chats with the girls at Mount Street.

It is why I'm calling myself innocent and naive .I do sometimes prefer buying a piece of pseudo history than to make an informed choice based on pure skills and savoir faire.

It is a part of my personality , a sentimental piece of my personal jigsaw.

I will have the Huntsman's name and legend out of my system very soon and I'm sure my horizon will be broaden by another sartorial experience.

Thank you for your advice.

Lasbar, again I do understand what you are saying. As I've already noted ... I'm more into the big picture than into the details.

I'm just not looking for the degree of perfection some seek. Of course, there's nothing wrong with others seeking that ... it's just that for me personally ... it would be a waste of time. I do not want to look completely prim and proper. Meticulous is not my thing ... why I can't imagine everything being perfectly "nice and neat and in it's place" Were I to be turned out that way ... I'd be a fraud.

And then beyond the clothing there is the history ... there are the personalities & friendships ... and so much more.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by lasbar

There is also quite a price difference , nearly a thousand pounds , on my last worsted flannel golden bale project who may push me further towards trying Richard Anderson.

I want a 1 button single breasted notch lapel but my main interrogation are the pockets.

Do i go for a standard flap and a ticket pocket or do i go for the slightly angled hacking pockets?
As i wear my suit to go out , i can get away with it even if i do not want to get an uber British look on my suit.
A thousand pounds is significant ... in fact I'm sitting here thinking of how many nice shirts that will buy!

As to the cut ... as alebrady notes ... Richard is quite approachable ... talk to him about what you seek.

 

[taxgenius]

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

S., did Anderson recreate the old Huntsman system of specialist tailors for different operations, or do the do the usual thing of having just three (coatmaker, trousermaker and finish tailor)?
I've just sent your question to the firm. I want to make certain my understanding is correct.

 

[RJman]

Don't ever change lasbar

Originally Posted by RSS

A thousand pounds is significant ... in fact I'm sitting here thinking of how many nice shirts that will buy!
At least two.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by taxgenius69

And ... ?

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by RJman

At least two.
I don't use Kabbaz ... it will get me a couple more.