Johnny Dowd

I am an avid music fan with an extensive collection that never seems large or complete enough. I enjoy discovering new music across many genres. Late last year I read a review in Mojo magazine of the “Drunkards Masterpiece” album by Johny Dowd who I hadn’t heard of at all.  To say I was bowled over and delighted and genuinely excited when I listened to my new purchase would be an understatement. My immediate reaction was to buy everything of Johnny’s I could find and email him to tell him how much I enjoyed his music. I firmly believe in telling people when I enjoy what they do.

I also mentioned to Johnny that I would be delighted to make him a suit.  The results can be seen below. I am very proud that Johnny Dowd wears Blaqua tailoring and shirts.

 

 

 

Johnny Dowd wearing Blaqua bespoke mohair suit and lily print shirt, Photo by Kat Dalton

The suit was made using measurements given to me by Johnny and his wife,  they are in Ithaca NY,  I’m in London The suit was prepared to our full bespoke quality and sent just in time for Christmas.  I selected an English two ply mohair for a robust slim rat pack style as the converstaions I had with Johnny included mention of sharkskin and rat pack styling. I decided on using our unique Blaqua red and black lily print lining and thought Johnny would have the attitude to wear a shirt in the same print.

I’m now looking forward to the autumn when Johnny and his band will be touring Europe.

Some Tailoring details

I am always looking at ways of introducing new details into our Blaqua suits. As William Feather said “beware of the man who won’t be bothered with details”.

We have just completed a suit for one of our most demanding customers, one who always wants to go that one step further with each bespoke suit we make.

  We created a suit in  Prince of Wales Check and matched the button holes to the red over check in the cloth, in addition we used a fine cotton velvet in black for the back collar, pocket flaps and buttons.  The results looked great and the customer has gone smiling on his way.

 

 

 

The challenge  in making this suit was to find a method of embellishing a suit without leaving our customer looking like a twit. Anyone who has seen someone in a shirt with two collars will no doubt agree that misguided details are not to be reccomended.

The cloth, a fine super 120′s wool/cashmere was selected because of the clarity of the check and over check and the softness of handle.

The customer liked velvet trim so we raided the archives and went for a velvet back collar and a cuff with 6 fully functioning buttons covered in velvet.  We used a signture red stitching detail for the button holes to off set them against the check and the velvet. Velvet was also used for pocket flaps but we omitted a ticket pocket as the suit had just one button and in my view a ticket pocket never looks right on a single button jacket.

The trousers are flat fronted with side adjusters rather than belt loops and with plain bottoms (no turn-ups)

The suit looks dramatic without being over the top and the with its strong shoulder line and nipped in waist lends the wearer the appearence of greater height and a slimmer waist.

 

All in all a job I am proud of.

Simon

What Blaqua has to offer

Blaqua is fast becoming the best-known bespoke tailors in South London attracting customers from across the South East to their shop in Forest Hill.

The Blaqua bespoke tailoring service starts with consultation and cloth selection at the shop in Forest Hill with the experience of Simon Green, the suits are then cut by master tailors fully trained in Savile Row and based in London. The first fittings take place two weeks later where the basted garment is precisely fitted to the customer. Final fittings take place two to three weeks later.

Cloth for Blaqua Bespoke suits is sourced from mills in UK and Italy and a regularly updated selection of limited edition unique cloths are always available.

Blaqua also offer a selection of unique linings in a variety of contrasting or complimentary colourways.

The result is that from the first impression it gives, a Blaqua bespoke suit is unique.

The consultation process determines from the outset what the customer wants and what the suit is for. Blaqua bespoke avoids imposing a house style on a customer and instead focuses on the style and fit that will best compliment the customer’s taste and figure.

Prices

Fully bespoke two-piece suits start at £1250 a second pair of trousers, frequently a wise option, adds £300.

Prices are then determined by cloth and detail. A fixed quotation is always provided at the point of ordering and a 50% deposit allows work to begin. The balance is never requested until the customer is fully satisfied with their suit.

To compliment the bespoke tailoring service, Blaqua offer a wide selection of ready to wear shirts featuring the company’s unique design details and exclusive prints.  A collection of cufflinks and accessories completes the Blaqua offer leaving the discerning gentleman fully catered for.

 

Blaqua on stage 2

David McAlmont

Blaqua on stage

Larry Love of Alabama 3

Larry Love of Alabama 3 at Shepherds Bush Empire December 2008

 

 

 

 on stage at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, December 2008