I was watching a BBC documentary with the same title; it's a shopping street in London known for bespoke tailoring (made to order). It is said that the world's greatest tailors are on this famous street. Including a Trini and a designer of Ghanaian descent.

Andrew Ramroop: From Port of Spain to Savile Row

The privileged are reputed to be born with a silver spoon in their mouths but for me it was not a privilege but a talent; it was a needle and thimble in my fingers”.

Andrew Madan Ramroop was born on 10th November 1952 in a small village at the foothills of the Northern Range of mountains, called Maingot Village, in Tunapuna, Trinidad, West Indies.

While other boys were seeking further education at College, Andrew was asked by his teacher at school how he sees his future career, he excitedly replied that he would much rather become a tailor than go on to the prestigious Hillview college - the preferred choice of his parents.

At a time when academic attainment was paramount to the development of the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago, a desire to take up vocational training in tailoring was quite a bold decision for the then 13 year old.

There were no sewing influences in the family or indeed anywhere nearby to engage his passion for sewing.

Following much discussion amongst family members and amid parental protest Andrew was determined to seek an apprenticeship, learning the demanding and intricate skills required of a bespoke tailor. His apprenticeship was not a major challenge. He absorbed the skills with ease through dedication, commitment and determination and compares learning tailoring as a young boy to that of ‘teaching a new language to a child – it comes easily’.

Having heard that the finest tailors in the world can be found in Savile Row, Andrew’s dream was further stimulated. At aged 17 he boarded the luxury liner Northern Star and sailed for England. Nine days later he arrived in Southampton not knowing anyone or where he was heading. At this stage it should be noted that the furthest Andrew had traveled were the few miles from his home village to Port of Spain as an apprentice tailor.

Andrew’s skills immediately became apparent when Huntsman & Sons, the once renowned firm of Savile Row tailors engaged him.

As part of his personal development Andrew studied for ‘O’ levels in English literature, English language, Mathematics and French. In 1972 the youthful Andrew Ramroop sought formal qualification in tailoring and after giving serious consideration to The Tailor & Cutter Academy he opted for the more comprehensive course at the London College of Fashion (LCOF), completing the three-year course in just two years gaining a Distinction.

Andrew was seconded to Mr. Maurice Sedwell as an assistant cutter in 1974.

In both 1976 and 1977 Andrew’s Hand Craft tailoring skills resulted in him becoming a finalist in the Federation of Merchant Tailors National Competition in the category of Gentlemen’s lounge suits, competing against long established tailors throughout the United Kingdom.


Copyright of this article belong to Andrew M. Ramroop and must not be reproduced without the written permission of the writer.

__________________

ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH

-Mahmoud Abbas

Ozwald Boateng, he's designed for a little of everyone; from president to a Prince.

__________________

ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH

-Mahmoud Abbas

I really enjoyed watching both of these videos...They are amazing! Thanks Chinks

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www.urbandingolay.com

BOOM!!

Sending the videos to my SO because he was lamenting the other day the death of handmade suits. So few of the artful tailors he used to go to as a youth are no longer alive.

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"Twats you people be" - Chinks

"Don't try to win over the haters, you're not the jackass whisperer."

Some people get you and some people don’t, and to spend your life trying to make people understand how deep and complex and varied you are — I think that way lies madness - K. Blanchett

"The leopard's stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice; it is simply stalking a prey." (Do not mistake people's gentle nature for spinelessness) - Yoruba Proverb

Glad you enjoyed. My sis and I were talking over the w/e about a "different" time; when men wore a suit and or blazer just to go sit in the park. Only to come full circle and see ppl in the grocery store in pajamas. lol

After watching a couple episodes, I felt an all new respect for tailors. The amount of craftsmanship that goes into it is just wow.

__________________

ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH

-Mahmoud Abbas

My Hunny just said Ozwald has an "off the peg" line....but those suits will still run you about 900 pounds minimum.

__________________

"Twats you people be" - Chinks

"Don't try to win over the haters, you're not the jackass whisperer."

Some people get you and some people don’t, and to spend your life trying to make people understand how deep and complex and varied you are — I think that way lies madness - K. Blanchett

"The leopard's stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice; it is simply stalking a prey." (Do not mistake people's gentle nature for spinelessness) - Yoruba Proverb

Mr LB said that Ozwald went bankrupt earlier but has re-opened again on Savile Row. Got any info on it because I didnt have time to quiz Mr LB before I had to leave out?

__________________

"Twats you people be" - Chinks

"Don't try to win over the haters, you're not the jackass whisperer."

Some people get you and some people don’t, and to spend your life trying to make people understand how deep and complex and varied you are — I think that way lies madness - K. Blanchett

"The leopard's stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice; it is simply stalking a prey." (Do not mistake people's gentle nature for spinelessness) - Yoruba Proverb

No, I didn't even know.

__________________

ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH

-Mahmoud Abbas

Just read this on Ozwald Boateng - Fashion Designer - Profile with biography, brands, photos and more on FMD

"Between 1996 and 1997, Boateng's sales soared 150 percent worldwide, and he was even invited to dine at No. 10 Downing Street, the residence of Britain's Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
In early 1998, however, a looming financial crisis in Asia caused two large orders from Hong Kong and Japan to be cancelled, and Boateng lost his backer. His ready-to-wear business went into receivership in the spring of 1998, but he saved it by entering into a deal with a British department store chain, Debenham's, to design a moderately priced line of men's clothing.

In 1999 Boateng suffered another setback when his entire collection was stolen, and in 2001 found himself in an unusual battle with Sean "P.Diddy" Combs over scheduling concerns at the New York spring menswear collection shows. Boateng's Bryant Park event was scheduled for 7 p.m., while Combs's "Sean Jean" line was going to be shown at 8 p.m. Combs's representatives, however, overwhelmed by the media attention surrounding the rap mogul, asked that all invitees be seated by 7 p.m.--which meant that many important buyers and tastemakers would miss Boateng's collection. Representatives from both sides met, and peace was made.
Despite such flamboyant wares, Boateng remained an accepted presence among the more staid Savile Row tailors. When his store opened, many brought him welcome gifts."

__________________

"Twats you people be" - Chinks

"Don't try to win over the haters, you're not the jackass whisperer."

Some people get you and some people don’t, and to spend your life trying to make people understand how deep and complex and varied you are — I think that way lies madness - K. Blanchett

"The leopard's stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice; it is simply stalking a prey." (Do not mistake people's gentle nature for spinelessness) - Yoruba Proverb

yep quality, workmanship

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“A sharp knife never proclaims it’s sharpness to the world…but the first to fall against it becomes it’s advocate.”

You can put any face behind a mask but be careful cos someone else might be pretending. You might not be the only one with a secret -- Cassie/Gretel