NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

February 18 2013

Savile Row tailors are not noted for their parties. So the arrival of a new name in their ranks with a rousing champagne reception and a video show - featuring some of those SR tailors actually modelling the newcomer’s designs - was quite diverting.

Lee Marsh is the new arrival. But of course noone launches a Savile Row establishment without the benefit of Savile Row training, and for all his youthful appearance, Lee has accumulated a wealth of experience around the Row.

“I graduated from the London College of Fashion in the late 90s,” he said, “ and then I started making my own clothes. But I could see that they didn’t really look right, that the sleeve wasn’t hanging as well as it should, that the collar was a bit off. So I wanted to learn how to make them so that they looked good.”

Spotting an ad for a young tailor in a newspaper, he set off for an interview with a lime green sample jacket, journeying from Streatham to Windsor, to attend Tom Brown, the Eton tailors.

“It took me ages to get there and when I got out at the station, I couldn’t believe it. It was a bit different from Streatham!  Anyway, I went along to the Tom Brown shop, and this lovely gentleman came out, David Coulthard. He looked at my lime green sample, considered, then said he didn’t think they could employ me as a tailor but as a trainee. And so that’s how I started.”

He went on to make waistcoats, and then tweed suits for the Eton students. But after some years, and having heard of the excellence of Savile Row, he decided he must move on to gain more experience there.

Over the next few years, Lee was to accumulate tailoring knowledge at some of the finest names in the business – Henry Poole, Gieves & Hawkes and Huntsman.

“I’m passionate about it,” he says with a grin. “Seeing garments that I’ve made worn by royalty and celebrities – wow!”

The next logical step for him was to set up his own business, but taking on premises in the expensive enclave of  the Row would be a step too far for a fledgling company. So one of his Savile Row contacts, Ray Stowers, came to his aid and has provided space within his shop, where Lee Marsh designs may be displayed and customers fitted by appointment.

“It means he will still make waistcoats for me,” Ray explained, “so it works out well for both of us.”

Patrick Murphy, head cutter of Huntsman, introduced the video presentation, and other tailors, from Gieves & Hawkes, Huntsman, and Joseph Morgan, provided modelling services, wearing Lee’s designs. It was, all in all, a great example of the camaraderie that can exist among Savile Row’s fraternity.

The video and reception suggested support from some outside entrepeneur, but no, Lee funded this launch himself.  It shows an appreciation of the need for publicity that is often sadly lacking in the Row, and combined with his undoubted tailoring skill, means Lee Marsh should go far.  He deserves to. www.leemarsh.co.uk

At top, tweed suit; centre one of his suede styles; above, the man himself at work.