Welcome To Our New Site

We would like to know what you think about it and any extra features you would like to see.

Please drop us an email with your ideas and comments.

We can only make the site better for you if we know what you want to see.

Keep In Touch

Give us your email address below and we'll keep you in touch with new articles on the site.

Your details will never be passed on to other organisations.



Tell A Friend

Let a friend know about bespokeme.com - fill in the form and we'll send them an email from you.





 

Rock 'N' Roll: Archer Adams, Marylebone

Thursday 20 May 2010

 
Of all the men I’ve interviewed while running BespokeMe I think Archer Adams takes first prize for having the most unusual background.

Archer has had a hand in producing every one of these albams An American by birth he’s lived here in the UK for 10 years; has been a political strategist in Washington DC (working on the Ross Perro ticket); at 16 he was signed up by a well known music publisher as a songwriter; he’s been an artist manager in the music business representing hit songwriters; a record producers and recording artists; and heavily involved in styling photo shoots. It is this last job that brought him into the world of fashion. He tells me that creating looks for bands and artists he found more and more that the business of clothes, style and creating a look was where his true interest lay.
 
himself When you consider that he’s setting up an independent label (notoriously difficult) in the midst of a recession and in a foreign country you can’t help but admire the man’s pluck. But Archer has that ‘can do’ and natural enthusiasm, which often marks out Americans from us Europeans. Similarly, he has that easy charm possessed by many of the Americans I’ve encountered over the years (where do they teach that?); which is how I came to spent a couple of very enjoyable hours talking about his slowly growing collection, stuff in the pipeline, his style influences as well as perusing cloth swatches, future designs and samples.

And what is that style?

Well, the line from Archer is that the “brand is positioned between the premium end of the high street and international designer brands and aimed at confident, stylish men who are interested in individuality and quality”. That tells you something, but not the full story in my view.
 

Despite their apparently radical colours, quirks and decidedly rock ‘n’ roll aura, I think these clothes are surprisingly easy to dress, and would provide that touch of individuality and personal character which is the hallmark of stylish dressers.
 

I could see myself wearing just about every item –although in reality not everything would suit me or my sturdy frame, cuts are slim and modern. But I will be adding a few pieces to my wardrobe in time. Overall, and my excess timber laden frame aside, there really are some wonderful pieces for free thinkers and free spirits. The denim suit I thought was a wonderful idea and beautifully cut, as was the Velvet Crombie –which is begging to be made in black and worn with a dinner jacket.
 
 
I guess, however, the majority of Archer’s customers will be those with a similar artistic bent to himself. I did ask Archer how he’d describe himself and his own personal style, “A new Dandy, I think”, was his reply.

And that’s the interesting thing about the collection; the influences of Archer’s unconventional background are ever present. His artistic streak is obvious, but so too is a carefully studied attention to detail and nuance –the hallmark of a political strategist. There are elements of L.A., New York and London, English tradition and craft, coupled with American can do and “that’s the way we like it”. With all these things going on you could end up with a jarring mess (a bit like a transatlantic accent) but in my view Archer pulls it off.
 
There is something very Rock
 
And I wouldn’t say this was a matter of style over substance. Archer told me that prior to opening the shop he spent the best part of two years learning about garment construction and manufacture; seeking out suppliers who could make the clothes in the limited edition runs to the standard he desired. Most, but not all, the clothes are manufactured in the UK, and the cloth for most of his garments is English. For example, the short jackets are made of Holland & Sherry moleskin and velvet. He has beautiful Aero leather pilots jackets, made in Scotland from horse hide, and was very passionate about English tailoring and tradition. Silhouettes are tailored and sizes reflect this, although Archer works closely with his manufacturers and is perfectly willing to have something made right for an individual. All these things are of course reflected in the prices, but I have to say I wouldn’t begrudge paying them. I did rather fancy one of the short jackets in cream or green moleskin, a stellar alternative to the classic if all too common denim jacket. And although I’m not normally a fan of leather jackets, I can see myself wearing the ‘Crop Duster’ jacket –paired with some Redwing boots, very Indian Jones.

When I visited Archer his first, and only, shop had just been fitted out and stock was beginning to arrive, but you can expect a full range of clothes from coats to neck ties. What I saw was inspired, stylish, uncommon clothes made to rigorous standards and draped proportionately with an exacting cut. After just one season it might be too hard to call but I think Archer’s gamble will pay off and I look forward to seeing more.
 
Archer Adams
2 Chiltern Street
London W1U 7PR

Posted by Stealth

Comments

There are no comments on this article yet.  Click here to be the first to make a comment.

Comments Already Made

There are no comments.

Make A Comment

Comment moderation is on. Any comment will have to be approved before being published.

All fields are required, the email address will not be made public. HTML code is not allowed.

BespokeMe Ratings

Contemporary

Off-the-Peg

Cool

Independent

Flair

click on any link above to see more items that match that type or try our Advanced Search

Bookmark This Article

del.icio.us
digg
facebook
reddit
StumbleUpon

Our Favourites

Online Sources: Classic Specs, Beaumont Sunglasses

A nifty little American independent for great classic sunglasses.

Maintenance: Fifth Avenue Shoe Repairers, London

A great shoe repairer and retailer. One you can't afford not to know about.

Jermyn Street As It Should Be: Harvie & Hudson

A proper Jermyn Street Shirt for under £50 isn't bad if you ask me. H&H are a classic gents outfitter offering classic English kit. Prices are fair and the service is good, particularly from the old boys.

Made to Measure Suiting at Stephan Shirts: Part 4

Our four part review of made-to-measure suiting at Stephan Shirts concludes with the finished suit.

A Study in Patience and Craft: Interview with Adam Atkinson of CHERCHBI

We catch up with the man behind up and coming British leathergoods and accessories brand CHERCHBI.

Rock 'N' Roll: Archer Adams, Marylebone

A wonderful new independent label providing original high qaulity clothes for those with an independent spirit.

Online Sources: Loveiwear, Shoreditch

When London based Lee Yule contacted me to introduce his website Loveiwear, I kinda new this would be my cup of tea.

Ettinger of London

Despite the fact that they are one of the last hand crafted leather goods makers left in England, you still may not have heard of Ettinger. And that, curiously, is also what makes them so special. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Robert Ettinger to discuss his company and its future plans

Like Father Like Son: Herring Shoes

A great online source. High quality Northamptonshire shoes at resonable prices. Check out Herring's own exceptional value ranges.

Under New Management: Stephan Haroutunian Shirts

I'm more than pleased to report that this business remains in the family, and has been placed into the very best of hands. I cannot speak highly enough of this shop, and I'm pleased to say can continue to do so for some time to come. Indeed, this time I can even show you pictures.

In The Know: Stephan Haroutunian Shirts

Quite simply this is a proper old fashioned shirt maker providing a good quality product and charging a reasonable price for it. £69 for an Egyptian, two-fold cotton, made-to-measure shirt, no minimum order, and beautifully made to boot.

A Rare Vintage: Emporium, Greenwich

Emporium is one of those shops that has the imprint of its owners' personalities all over it. Step over the threshold and the first thing you notice are the soulful beats and jazz tunes playing in the background.

Ormonde Jayne Perfumery

A Look at London based Ormonde Jayne perfumery. Specialising in rare oils and unusual ingredients for something unique and individual.

Family, Flair and Finesse: Nino's

Lots of people claim to offer something original, but the reality is few do. Not so with Nino's. While they produce elegant shirts in plain colours suitable for the office, the majority of the shirts are something a bit special. The sheer variety on offer beggars description.

The Italian Job: Volpe

An independent men's outfitter offering a complete wardrobe of understated, luxury clothing at affordable prices, under its own label. A European influence means rich colours, beautiful Italian fabrics and manufacturing, as well as an immaculate attention to detail. The guys here take real pride in what they do, which shows in both the warmth of the service and quality of the product. The coffee is excellent.

The Dog's Undercarriage: Adam of London

Before trotting through the door of Adam's take a look down to your left. You'll see the following sign, "All clothing for sale on these premises are exclusive to us in Great Britain. If you want to be exclusive and look the dogs bo**ocks please come in. However if you want to look like a bag of sh*t then we suggest that you go to the shops in the high streets around the country".

Old School: Lloyd Miller, Bespoke Tailor and Alterations

Mr Lloyd Miller is an alterations tailor. He's also a little more than that, being a full bespoke tailor -not to mention a proper gentleman.

Affable and Affordable Bespoke Tailors: Apsley of London

I've always tried to remember that a thing is never so intimidating as when it is done for the first time.

How to: Fold a Pocket Square

You either get pocket handkerchiefs or you don't. Personally, I love em. Few men in my age group wear them, so I make a point of doing so; separates the cads from the boys. Suffice to say this is the most straightforward (lots of diagrams) guide I've yet found, published or online, on how to fold all the variants for the pocket handkerchief.

How To: Pick A Scent That Lasts

Do you know an Aftershave from an Eau de Parfum? You will do by the time you read this.

How To: Get A Dimple

An easy way to get a dimple in your tie.

The Archive

November 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
November 2008
October 2008
August 2008
June 2008
April 2008
March 2008
January 2008
December 2007

Get Our Widget!

Related Posts with Thumbnails