Kent Haste & Lachter (with a splash of Huntsman, & journalistic free loading!)

[JJMorgan]

New to this forum (former AAAC member) so her goes for a first post:

www.kenthastelachter.com

Considering a visit here and was wondering if anyone had any feedback? What exactly is the house style? Price?

As a former Huntsman customer I am drawn to Terry Haste but looking at his bio it says he was there during the infamous Bargeman years (www.styleforum.net/t/145398/any-richard-anderson-customers) which worries me, should I be worried? He is not mentioned in Anderson’s book at all.

Nick Foulkes (is that a dirty word here?!) maintains Haste is the best cutter there is. Sadly I put Mr Foulkes in the same category as Francis Brown namely “will write praise worthy article for clothes”, not to be trusted. Or is this unfair? Whenever I have mentioned his name to anyone in the business they roll their eyes & groan… Anyway I digress.

JJ

 

[bboysdontcryy]

Why don't you just visit Richard Anderson?

 

[JJMorgan]

Cost in the main. He is without doubt excellent but pricey tailor. Secondly I feel it never hurts to have some, albeit limited, variety in the wardrobe.

JJ

 

[bboysdontcryy]



[SIZE=10pt][COLOR=000000]Cost in the main. He is without doubt excellent but pricey tailor. Secondly I feel it never hurts to have some, albeit limited, variety in the wardrobe.[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt][COLOR=000000] [/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt][COLOR=000000]JJ[/COLOR][/SIZE]

I am honestly considering going to KHL as well, but there's something that unsettles me when I bring this up with peers who have had bespoke suits made. When I ask them about KHL, they keep nudging me int he direction of RA, Steed, and Poole and hinted at the better quality control at these houses.

 

[JJMorgan]

Interesting maybe I am right to be wary. More interesting that Nick Foulkes proclaims their work so highly, every man is entitled to their opinion it would seem. But making a career of gratuitous freeloading?!

Well I can vouch for RA, you get what you pay for - great service & great product.

Anyone know what prices they start at with KHL?

JJ

 

[Will]

KHL prices are middle of the road by comparison to other Row tailors. Bespoke starts at £2500 (approximately $3,858) including VAT.

 

[andreyb2]



[SIZE=10pt]Considering a visit here and was wondering if anyone had any feedback? What exactly is the house style? Price?[/SIZE]

Their web-site has information both on house style and prices.

John Kent is my cutter; I described my experience in this thread.

[SIZE=10pt]As a former Huntsman customer I am drawn to Terry Haste but looking at his bio it says he was there during the infamous Bargeman years (www.styleforum.net/t/145398/any-richard-anderson-customers) which worries me, should I be worried? He is not mentioned in Anderson’s book at all.[/SIZE]

Trevor Swift = Terry Haste. Quite a thin veil.

Don't buy, however, everything written in RA's book as the one and only truth. For example, his assertion that Haste didn't have any SR experience is ridiculous -- Haste started at Anderson & Sheppard, then worked in Hawes & Curtis and Nutters. If these three houses are not "proper SR", I don't know what is!

Also, I disagree with his assertion of Haste's character and the manner he approaches customers. I found Mr Haste to be quite friendly and approachable -- in a good way. Though this thing (as many other things written by Anderson on Swift Haste) is quite subjective.

[SIZE=10pt]Nick Foulkes (is that a dirty word here?!) maintains Haste is the best cutter there is. Sadly I put Mr Foulkes in the same category as Francis Brown namely “will write praise worthy article for clothes”, not to be trusted. Or is this unfair? Whenever I have mentioned his name to anyone in the business they roll their eyes & groan… Anyway I digress.[/SIZE]

Nick Foulkes is a long-standing customer of Terry Haste, back from his Hackett days. I doubt he got freebies from Haste. At least back then. Though of course, I don't know for sure.

Andrey

 

[JJMorgan]

Andrey,

how silly of me, how did I not pick up on that. Maybe this is why I am not good at cryptic crosswords... Having reviewed the book his comments on the quality of his work are certainly not negative I suppose. Though maybe protecting himself from legal action. Nonetheless will still consider - a competitive price point and Kents work looks very respectable.

Point taken on Nick Foulkes, puzzles me how he has aqcuired such an extensive wardrobe as a simple hack. Maybe I am putting 2+2 & getting 5. Something just doesn't stack up for me about him, I very much doubt he is a man of means to afford this all privately. They way he waxes lyrical about certain brands & the faux modesty smacks of a person on the take to me.

JJ

 

[bboysdontcryy]

Let us know how your commission goes. When do you begin to commission a suit? Are you based in London?

 

[JJMorgan]

I am now London based, so will certainly keep you updated. Alas being in such proximity to so many tailors has left me spoilt for choice. I may even throw the towel in & head for Caraceni - just need to decide on A or Tommy!

JJ

 

[Lear]

Rather than start a new thread, just want to say:

Slightly off-topic: Popped into KHL after spying their new line of rtw summer shirts. Loved the quality, but not enough length for my simian arms. Cost: approx £105. Best quality rtw button-down I've seen in London.

Very much off-topic: Stepped out of the shop almost suicidal, just as Simon Crompton (Permanent Style) rode past on a Boris bike.

http://kenthastelachter.com/2012/ready-to-wear-summer-shirts/

Lear

 

[poorsod]



I am now London based, so will certainly keep you updated. Alas being in such proximity to so many tailors has left me spoilt for choice. I may even throw the towel in & head for Caraceni - just need to decide on A or Tommy!
JJ

Really? Caraceni seems quite a different price point.

http://www.thelondonlounge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9542&start=30#p50275

 

[omnishambles]

Just came across this and I should say that Nick Foulkes, although a difficult man at times, is a brilliant man, kind and generous. His means are nobody's business and therefore not to be guessed at and were he as much of a hack as people describe him, he would not be hired by almost every publication in existence.

I am surprised that this site would partake in the sort of anonymous slandering that one might find in the Daily Mail's website.

Oh and KHL are really very good, worth a try as you are not looking at Huntsman or Poole prices to cover the rent.