LOOKING BRIGHTER IN THE CITY

City businessmen may soon be confronting financial worries in a sea of bright clothing. That's the aim of one young tailor anyway, who has just launched a collection called 'Colours".

Henry Herbert is the name of the company, Charlie Collingwood its motivating force. It has been providing a travelling tailor service for some years now, with Charlie zipping about town on his scooter with tape measure at the ready.

The tailoring expertise may not yet be on a level with Savile Row but it is executed with youthful exuberance and certainly style.

The company has built up a loyal customer base among City workers who appreciate the time-saving service it offers by arranging measurements and fittings at the office, and in the more reasonable prices that an off-Row establishment can provide.

Now, with this new collection, Charlie says he is “trying to brighten the traditonal sea of grey's and black's we normally find in the City".

His scootering service is backed by a team of experienced bespoke tailors, who will make a suit in one of these bright cloths - or more sober suitings if preferred.

At top, the scootering tailor Charlie Collingwood.
Right, suit in a lime green cotton from Harrisons, sure to stand out in the City crowd, with striped blue and white lining, blue socks and tie.
Below, classic blue and white striped seersucker summer suit in a cotton mix from Holland & Sherry.

The company was launched in 2007, after Charlie had decided against a career in politics.

Initially successful with bespoke shirts, he moved on to suits a couple of years later, attracting young, style-savvy customers as well as those wanting classic business suits.

"We have had a great reaction to these coloured suits ," he says.

He has used lime green, banana, sky blue, royal blue, pink, cream and coffee in plain and pin striped cloths. Some come from Holland & Sherry, others are by Harrisons and William Halstead.

All these coloured prototypes are canvas lined, fully bespoke, made by his small team of tailors. And to emphasise the colourful impact, he has teamed the suits with bright accessories.

Eyecatching stuff but whether the City is ready for it is a moot point.

More photographs of the collection will be featured in Savile Row Style Magazine.