Harrison Moonbeam

[Classic Car]

Any idea where I can find this cloth in Hong Kong? I want to buy and take it to my tailor.
I found Chan has but it is a bit expensive to me for a bespoke jacket from Chan but I really like the cloth.

 

[Slewfoot]

I think Peter Lee of Lee Baron should be able to source it for you. Just give him a bit of time (10 days-ish) to do so. He's less expensive than Chan and still does excellent work. The website is http://www.leebaron.ca/main.html and the contact information is under Contacts. Good luck and tell him David Beckwith said hi.

 

[academe]

You could always order directly from Harrisons... I've also asked for fabric samples for entire books (e.g. the Moonbeam book), and they've sent these to me for free -- granted I'm in the UK, so there may be delivery charges overseas.

 

[Slewfoot]

And you could always buy the cloth direct from Andrew Rogers who's an SF member depending on his schedule.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by academe

You could always order directly from Harrisons... I've also asked for fabric samples for entire books (e.g. the Moonbeam book), and they've sent these to me for free -- granted I'm in the UK, so there may be delivery charges overseas.
I always thought Harrisons just dealt with the trade.

 

[academe]

Originally Posted by George

I always thought Harrisons just dealt with the trade.
I can't speak for others but they sold directly to me. From what I understand, the price for private customers is probably higher than the trade price, but it wasn't exorbitant...

 

[TheFoo]

I just saw this stuff a few weeks ago. Feels nice if you want something cashmere-like, and the designs are great. However, I was warned that it can be difficult to tailor well and is a relatively delicate cloth.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I just saw this stuff a few weeks ago. Feels nice if you want something cashmere-like, and the designs are great. However, I was warned that it can be difficult to tailor well and is a relatively delicate cloth.
Mmmm, my tailor didn't struggle with it. There are different weaves in the book, however. One thing, it made up big, if that makes sense.

 

[academe]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I just saw this stuff a few weeks ago. Feels nice if you want something cashmere-like, and the designs are great. However, I was warned that it can be difficult to tailor well and is a relatively delicate cloth.

It is nice stuff, but I think I prefer coarser, heavier worsted tweeds (e.g. Glenroyal) and "true" tweeds... I think I get more use out of heavier fabrics here in the UK...

 

[George]

Originally Posted by academe

I can't speak for others but they sold directly to me. From what I understand, the price for private customers is probably higher than the trade price, but it wasn't exorbitant...
Right, I have rang them in the past to enquire whether they have a certain cloth in stock. My tailor has an account with them, so I'll let him deal with them. It's of interest to those who patronise tailors who don't stock Harrison's. Harrison's make some excellent cloth.

 

[academe]

Originally Posted by George

Right, I have rang them in the past to enquire whether they have a certain cloth in stock. My tailor has an account with them, so I'll let him deal with them. It's of interest to those who patronise tailors who don't stock Harrison's. Harrison's make some excellent cloth.
My usual tailor stocks Harrisons so would normally go through him... However, I'm paying a visit to Singapore - and just for a bit of fun - thought i would try gshen's tailor. They have a harder time getting heavier-weight cloth in Singapore, and the uplift for some of the LBD fabrics (I've been told) is quite steep. Thought I'd just bring my own cloth instead.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by George

Harrison's make some excellent cloth.

I've always wanted to try Lesser, but my tailor strongly prefers Harrison's. Since I'm only had experience with the latter, I can't really compare. However, my Fine Classics worsted charcoal herringbone suit wears very, very well.

 

[Slewfoot]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I just saw this stuff a few weeks ago. Feels nice if you want something cashmere-like, and the designs are great. However, I was warned that it can be difficult to tailor well and is a relatively delicate cloth.

Really? I always heard the opposite. Swatches feel like they would be difficult to tailor, but Patrick at Chan really likes it and a jacket I had made by another tailor in Moonbeam commented on the niceness of the fabric. He even thought it was cashmere at the basted fitting. It drapes well and doesn't wrinkle easily which is a plus in my book. I have two Moonbeam jackets and while they are supposed to be same weight, one wears much warmer which is interesting.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I've always wanted to try Lesser, but my tailor strongly prefers Harrison's. Since I'm only had experience with the latter, I can't really compare. However, my Fine Classics worsted charcoal herringbone suit wears very, very well.
Well, I remember FNB saying that the Italians love Harrison's cloth, gives them that English look but is more up to date or some such. Their Cashmere jacketings are the best you can buy. The Fine Classics bunch is very good, there's some nice pick & picks in there. I'm rather fond of the Frontier bunch for summer suitings. Much prefer it to Fresco, who's hand I don't like, even though, admittedly, Fresco has slightly better performance.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Slewfoot

Really? I always heard the opposite. Swatches feel like they would be difficult to tailor, but Patrick at Chan really likes it and a jacket I had made by another tailor in Moonbeam commented on the niceness of the fabric. He even thought it was cashmere at the basted fitting. It drapes well and doesn't wrinkle easily which is a plus in my book. I have two Moonbeam jackets and while they are supposed to be same weight, one wears much warmer which is interesting.

I can only vouch for what I was told. I have no idea how true it is. Maybe it it true for my tailor but not others. Don't know. My understanding is that it tends to stretch out irregularly.