Made in England and made for Richard James. Cloth at Richard James Bespoke

A burning question that was put to us by Mr Peter Asquith: Does one tip one’s tailor?

Over to Richard: “Of course, there was a time – thankfully long gone – when it was considered correct form not to pay one’s tailor, let alone tip him. But, in short, no – one does not tip one’s tailor. Well.., certainly not with cash. I’ve never heard of that happening. But occasionally, possibly at Christmas, a customer might make what I call a gesture – with wine or champagne, perhaps. If you’re making bespoke Savile Row suits, you enjoy an ongoing relationship with your customers. There’s no, ‘Here’s something for your trouble’. It’s not a wham, bam, thank you ma’am type of business.”

Are you in the dark with regards to dress related etiquette? Why not let Richard know about it and see if he can ride to your rescue?

Bespoke suit patterns at Richard James Bespoke

From Dead Man's Patterns by Hormazd Narielwalla

Three aspects of one piece from Hormazd Narielwalla‘s Dead Man’s Patterns – Momento Mori exhibition, which opens at design agency Sheridan & Co at 10 Blandford Street, London W1 today, February 20th.

As the title of the exhibition suggests, the stunning skulls on show are made from (and give new life to) dead men’s bespoke Savile Row suit patterns. The exhibition includes seven pieces from a limited edition of fifty.

Until 3rd March.

From Dead Man's Patterns by Hormazd Narielwalla

From Dead Man's Patterns by Hormazd Narielwalla

James Levy and the Blood Red Rose with Sneak Into My Room. From the new album Pray To Be Free.

Richard James Savile Row Spring/Summer '12 windows

With the Spring/Summer ’12 collection comes a bold new look for the windows of the Savile Row shop.

What we call our ‘optical triangle’ design is featuring prominently on banners (above) and window transfers (bottom), as well as in the collection itself (below).

Above left, you can see our Spring/Summer ’12 fine blue Prince of Wales check one button suit with a white cotton poplin shirt, brown and white striped linen tie and an orange and purple Sad Eye pocket square.

And right, a Spring/Summer ’12 petrol blue plainweave two button suit, with a white cotton poplin shirt, grey and white striped linen tie and a blue and red Sad Eye pocket square.

All available at the Savile Row shop if not at Richard James Online.

Richard James Spring/Summer '12 blue optical triangle bow tie

tie

Spring/Summer '12 optical triangle window transfers at Richard James Savile Row

YL Residence No. 17 - the largest beachside villa in Thailand

Just the thing for taking it very easy at YL Residence No. 17 – the largest luxury beachside villa in Thailand and now available for private hire – is our Spring/Summer ’12 tailored fit blue giant leaves shirt.

Printed in Italy and made from a featherlight batiste cotton for sunny days and summer nights. And available now at the Savile Row shop, certain stockists and by express delivery from Richard James Online.

YL is set on 12.5 acres of landscaped gardens with a 450-metre beachfront on the quiet, southern coast of Koh Samui. With only one group staying at any one time and with a full time staff of 25, it is, in effect, a private hotel. For business or pleasure, what you get is exactly what you want.

Richard James Spring/Summer '12 blue giant leaves shirt

Ayrton Senna - the best driver who ever lived?

Spot (below) the Richard James Savile Row suit…

Congratulations to the very elegant team behind Senna for winning Best Documentary at Sunday’s Baftas.

We dressed them all for the film’s premiere in Sao Paulo in November 2010.

Asif Kapadia (third left) and the team behind Senna at the 2012 Baftas

If you go down to the woods today… (3:09 of the video.)

Very smooth, superior old school soul from our good friend Phil Geston who, when he’s not doing what he’s doing here, is a top Sales Associate at our main New York stockist Barneys.

Something to get you in the Valentine’s mood.

Child Bride by Hannah Cohen. Out now on vinyl and in other formats on April 23rd.

Richard James Spring/Summer '12

Take a look at our pick of the Spring/Summer ’12 collection at Richard James Online now. Savile Row suits and much more.

Above, from our Spring/Summer ’12 lookbook and all available online, we have a coffee cotton canvas trench, a latte cashmere and silk zip front cardigan, a white long sleeve linen t-shirt and a beige stretch woven belt.

And see more Spring/Summer ’12 at the Savile Row shop and stockists.  More suits, shirts, knitwear, footwear, accessories…

Damaris - Tutti Frutti

Something for her that you can take pleasure in yourself this Valentine’s…

Everybody loves lingerie from our friends at the delectable Damaris.

So why not treat her this Valentine’s to the naughtiest knickers in town from the new, Spring/Summer ’12 Power range, a glimpse of which you can see here.

Be sure to register with Damaris for exclusive invites, special offers and its essential, up-close and intimate newsletters.

Damaris - Candy