March 31, 2005
tom in new york
News on the English Cut front:
[REMINDER:] Tom will be in New York next week from Thursday to Sunday, if anyone fancies a suit. Just arrange to meet him at The Hotel Benjamin on 50th & Lexington.
[PERSONAL OBSERVATION:] I think hanging round Savile Row waiting for potential clients to visit London is a big energy waster. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in New York. The after that, we have Paris on the 25th. After that, we work on Moscow, Dubai, and Milan.
U.S. West Coast? I know you could argue that part of the world is mostly Business Casual, but we’re not doing “mostly”. We’re doing hardcore niche. We only realistically need around ten good clients in any market to make it sustainable. Ten Californians out of thirty million. Ten Italians out of forty million, that kind of thing.
This is what creating a global microbrand is all about. Making and selling a world-class product that travels well.
I routinely visit Los Angeles. You should have no issue finding clients there. San Fran is, surprisingly, more casual than L.A. in terms of business dress, I find, although since you’re looking for such small numbers, again, you should have no problems. I think L.A. could be a gold mine, however. Half of the Hollywood Hills is full of British ideals as it is, and knowing they can get fitted by a real Savile Row tailor while living in their sunshine paradise is bound to be a dream come true.
Funny, Peter, I was having the exact same thoughts as yourself…
I was thinking… The Penisula Hotel, or Shutters in Santa Monica…
Probably Beverly Hills would be the safe bet…
Hmmm, if only 1/2 of 1% of the mega-billion Asian market…
Heh. Doug, if you know a good way to get Tom and I out to Asia, I’m listening!
You might want to give Japan a miss if this catches on..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4397849.stm