WORDS
Nicholas Ross
For nearly 30 years, British menswear label Oliver Brown’s flagship home has been on Lower Sloane Street in Chelsea. An in-house bespoke department, introduced in the summer of 2017, crafts garments in the store, showcasing a dexterous tailoring process.
Here, the brand’s head cutter uses his expert sartorial eye to factor several of a customer’s qualities into the bespoke process – from their sense of style to which parts of their personality they want to amplify through their new purchase. The emphasis on this human factor is a big reason you might choose Oliver Brown over tailors that may not, in this sense, measure up.
There had been for some time, however, one problem – that for professionals who worked in the City of London, the shop was on the other side of town. Oliver Brown has solved this by recently welcoming the first customers at its new store situated in the City’s bustling heart.
Located at 66-67 Cornhill, right between The Royal Exchange and Leadenhall Market, it’s open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, giving locals access to the quintessentially British tailoring on offer. From ready-to-wear garments and accessories to made-to-measure services, here you’ll find contemporary styles paired with a classic British tradition that uses age-old handcrafting techniques.
Displayed at the store, for instance, is the spring/summer 2024 collection. These suits, which feature relaxed drapes conveying effortless sophistication, were inspired by the scenic city of Brindisi and the notion of a well-dressed gentleman traversing the globe for that enviable lifestyle combination – “business and pleasure”.
Kristian Ferner Robson, founder of Oliver Brown, explains his excitement about the new store opening. ‘The historic Grade II-listed building, once a bustling coffee house, offered more than just a storefront – it provided a home for our growing company, bringing together our store, office and warehouse in one space. Reflecting our ethos of timeless elegance, the interior design features dark woods and our signature green accents, creating an inviting atmosphere. An intimate sofa area provides a relaxed setting for made-to-measure consultations, embodying the warm and welcoming Oliver Brown feel our customers have come to love.’
Warmth radiates, in particular, from affable store manager Richard Farrugia, who has a five-decade-long career in tailoring under his belt. No doubt, then, you’re in good hands here to navigate through the comprehensive range of ready-to-wear, formal and casual attire, including the brand’s signature antique silk top hats, as well as an array of made-to-measure and hire options.
This is the third Oliver Brown store in London and, to celebrate its opening, the brand has launched a limited-edition bamboo dinner jacket crafted from cloth woven in Italy by the British manufacturer Huddersfield. It features a shawl lapel, a single-button front closure and a four-button working cuff. A timely release, it is a luxuriously soft and breathable companion for all the glitz and glamour over the coming season the brightening weather heralds.
The limited-edition Bamboo Jacket is now available to buy online. Visit the new Oliver Brown store at 66-67 Cornhill; oliverbrown.org.uk