The DAKS story goes back to 1894 when Simeon Simpson began his bespoke tailoring business in Middlesex Street, London.  Simpson was interested in developing new manufacturing techniques and passed this enthusiasm onto his son Alec.  In 1934 Alec introduced the “self supporting” waistband, along with a good quality ready-to-wear range dubbed DAKS (a combination of “Dad” and “Slacks”).  The first retail outlet, Simpsons of Piccadilly, was opened in 1936 earning the firm three royal warrants.

The modern revival of the DAKS menswear range is largely down to Bruce Montgomery, who learnt his trade in Milan working with Franco Moschino.  Montgomery joined DAKS in 1996 with the firm still known for its department store, self-supporting trousers, sports jackets and house check introduced in ’76.  The brand needed a facelift and was forced into action with the rise of Cool Britannia.  The Simpson store was closed in 1999 and all focus was shifted to the clothing lines.

Montgomery welcomed the change and revelled in the opportunity to contribute to the new British design movement.  His approach, while modern, has continued to retain the emphasis on good tailoring and attention to detail.  Whether it’s his careful sourcing of cloth from UK mills or ensuring a pair of trousers include a shirt grip. Montgomery is looking to create clothes that are timeless, pieces that will last for years and retain their contemporary feel.

With a flagship store in London’s Old Bond Street, DAKS has positioned itself as one of the UK’s quintessential British luxury labels.  DAKS is exported to 30 countries and sold in over 2,000 speciality shops and stores.  The brand enjoys a strong reputation in the Far East, having been sold in Japan for over 30 years and the number one non-domestic brand in Korea.

The Beatrix Ong collections are a delight, subtly blending traditional shapes and fine materials with bright colours and silk fabrics – resulting in an element of surprise and individuality. These are versatile, elegant but edgy shoes, that fit perfectly.
The Philosophy is all about balance, that comfort should not be attained at the expense of luxury.

Born in London, and educated in England, Hong Kong and New York, Ong’s experience ranges from interning at Harpers Bazaar to designing for Jimmy Choo.

Ong went solo in 2002. The challenge of creating a shoe that was comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day and into the evening spurred her on to push the boundaries of beautiful shoe making.

Today, each pair of Beatrix Ong purchased has been thoughtfully crafted, designed to be perfectly balanced and stable, with comfort always a priority. The shoes are made by Europe’s most reputable manufacturers and hand finished by craftsmen who employ traditional shoe-making methods blended with the industries latest innovations.

Beatrix Ong offers a made to order service, bridal consultations and her shoes can even be personalised with text printed on the sole of the shoes.

A pair of Beatrix Ong shoes will make a timeless place in your wardrobe.

IV BURLINGTON ARCADE
MAYFAIR
LONDON
W1J 0PD
TEL: +44 (0)20 7499 4089

The TLL Team

Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg in September 1938 and received fashion acclaim from as young as 17, with a coat that was later produced by his mentor, Balmain.

Known for his eccentricity as well as his unerring style, Lagerfeld has collaborated with the great fashion houses. Patou, Fendi, Chloe and, most notably, Chanel have all benefited from his passion for perfection. Throughout his iconic career Lagerfeld has pushed the boundaries of possibility without compromising a brands integrity.

Apart from Haute Couture, Lagerfeld was the first ready to wear designer to globally brand a scent. He has illustrated a children s book and photographs and creates his own advertising campaigns.

His signature line remains sculptural, provocative and dramatic, almost always in black and white and more directly influenced by street trends.

TLL Team

Launched in April 2008, Elena Garcia is a collaboration between the designer – Elena Garcia, llya Fisher and a network of ethical and socially aware projects and enterprise.

The designs are elegant and sophisticated and incorporate traditional textile techniques in a contemporary manner. The 2008 Autumn/Winter collection features relaxed jackets, flattering wide-leg trousers, delicate camisoles and slip dresses and bustle skirts. The fabrics are ethically sourced, silks are woven from organically grown mulberry trees and silk worms. The wool fibers obtained from British Blue Faced Leicester sheep – reared organically and presticide free. Fabric dyes used are free of harmful compounds.

The collection is hand embellished with intricate, decorative details. The basic colours of indigo and ivory are accented with burnt orange and detailed with felting and cutwork embroidery. This labour intensive method of production ensures that no two garments are identical and if necessary items can be tailor made to an individual size and specifications.

The designer’s ethos is enviable – a respect for the environment, support and recognition for  local manufacturers and craftspeople, and in doing so, the creation of beautiful, sustainable and wearable fashion.

The TLL Team

Christian Dior founded the Fashion House in 1946 and ever since the brand has revolutionised fashion. Dior is credited with introducing a sense of excitement and luxury into how women dressed following the war years. Clothes with soft shoulders, waspy waists and flowing skirts brought back femininity.

Following his untimely death in 1957, Dior was followed by the 21 year old Yves Saint Laurent, who received rave reviews for his designs at Dior until the 1960′s when Marc Bohan took over the reigns. The Dior house has ensured that Christian Dior’s legacy is upheld by appointing artistic directors of exceptional talent and Briton John Galliano is a perfect example of this.

Galliano, a 3 times recipient of the “British Designer of The Year” award, took over as Design Director of Dior in 1996 and has become renowned for creating the most spectacular fashion shows. His designs are fantastical, opulent and often wildly romantic.

The Dior Brand is now owned by the prestigious LVMH group and produces a wide range of luxury products including fragrance, cosmetics and accessories.

TLL Team

Treacy’s millinery masterpieces have graced the heads of some of the world’s most famous and glamorous. Now considered by some to be more art than fashion, Philip Treacy never fails to deliver anything less than sensational.

Born in a small Irish village in 1967, Treacy recalls being inspired as a small boy, by the weddings held in the local church and spent much of his childhood creating clothes for his sister’s dolls.

Treacy studied fashion at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and later at the Royal College of Art in London.

1989 saw Treacy meet Style Icon Isabella Blow and set up a workshop in the basement of her home in Belgravia. Blow provided him with not only a muse, but a connection with the world of Haute Couture. Treacy has since designed couture hats for Valentino, Versace, Givenchy, Chanel, Ralph Lauren,Donna Karen, Alexander McQueen and Rifat Ozbeck.

Personal clients include The Duchess of Cornwall who commissioned the millinery for her wedding to The Pince of Wales in 2005. Sarah Jessica Parker also wore a fabulous foot high Treacy creation to the London Premier of “Sex and The City” featuring flowers, butterflies and peacock feathers.

Pink sell shirts for men and women, as well as silk ties, cufflinks, cummerbands, braces, socks, scarves and much more.  Men’s shirts are available in formal, slim fit and casual styles.  Women’s shirts come in an elegant classic cut or a more tailored style.  Materials used include twill, royal oxford, poplin and Sea Island Cottons.  There are plain colours, stripes, checks, prints in a wide range of colours and tones.

If the ready to wear range was not enough for you, Pink’s Personally Pink service offers a made-to-order shirt service.  You arrange an appointment with a Pink tailor and a shirt is created to your exact requirements.

Pink was set up in 1984 by three Irish brothers James, Peter and John Mullen.  The stores trademark black and pink branding has expanded far beyond the first store opened in Chelsea, London.  Now part of the luxury LVMH group, Pink shirts have a loyal following in the US with stores spread from Dallas to Detroit, San Francisco to New York.  Besides the US, customers can shop in Paris, Dublin, Bangkok, Shanghai on the Pink website.

- The TLL Team

This luxury lifestyle house recently opened its magnificent global flagship store, at 167 New Bond Street in London. The store, one of the largest luxury goods stores in the world, is the perfect showcase for the extensive range of Asprey products including jewellery and silverware, watches and pens, leather goods and silk, china and crystal, ready-to-wear, shoes and fashion accessories.

The opening of London follows the highly successful pre-Christmas launch of the New York store December 2003. The group plans to open a further 15-20 exclusive stores within the next five years in the major capitals of the world.

The TLL Team

Boodles (formerly Boodle & Dunthorne) was founded in the ‘Gateway to the New World’ in 1798. Liverpool, as it was at that time, was one of Europe’s wealthiest cities and leading ports, it boasted the first ever constructed dock.

The original Mr Boodle and Mr Dunthorne specialised in the creation, and export of objet d’art and art nouveau silver and jewellery, starting a tradition in the company that remains to this day ­ the best of contemporary design, together with the finest traditional values.

Today Boodles remains a British family owned company, run by brothers Nicholas and Michael Wainwright. Now Boodles shops are in London’s fashionable Sloane St, Regent St which is part of The Queen’s Crown Estate, within Harrods, and in the Courtyard of the Royal Exchange. In the Northwest Boodles is still the pre-eminent jeweller in Manchester, Chester, together with its famous head office building in Liverpool.

The TLL Team

As ceremonial dress supplier to the British army and monarchy for over 200 years, Gieves & Hawkes’ reputation has become synonymous with tradition and enterprise. The bespoke Savile Row suit has a classic slim silhouette and nipped waist. The real bespoke Savile Row suit is handmade on the premises from a pattern after a trained craftsman has taken your measurements.

Now the most famous tailoring address in the world is launching Gieves, a new wholesale collection.

The TLL Team