From the Archive

My Journey into the Walpole Crafted Class of 2014

Yes this is Old but I am so proud of all of my colleagues and was reminded of such when I had the most beautiful watch strap made last Summer.

This year I was finally able to buy from Geoff the most beautiful Plaster Rose.

You can see the Watch strap has aged perfectly!

Now Some of Grown into much larger companies and others have moved on but that year of learning was

With a heart full of trepidation and a touch of persuasion from friends, I took the plunge and entered the running for the Walpole Crafted class of 2014. It was a decision laden with excitement and a hint of self-doubt, especially considering the esteemed company I would be joining. Previous recipients included the talented James Ducker of Carreducker, who has been revitalizing bespoke shoemaking with his youthful approach, and Cumbrian Crystal, dedicated to preserving the art of British glassblowing in the scenic Lake District. I’ve admired the beautifully crafted leather steamer trunks from Method Studio, the witty designs from Sophie Coryndon (her crocodile screen would look splendid in my atelier), and Mr. Smith’s exquisite letterpress work, redolent with the delightful scent of fresh ink.

These are just a few of the illustrious ‘Makers of the Exceptional’ who had previously impressed the rigorous panel of judges. I couldn’t help but feel both excited and daunted at the prospect of joining their ranks.

In preparation, I practiced my pitch tirelessly—practicing in front of the mirror and to anyone willing to listen. Armed with my newly perfected scallop coat, I felt a flicker of hope that perhaps, on a good day, I might stand a chance.

The day finally arrived—an unexpectedly warm March day. I donned my tweed scallop coat, designed more for protection against the day’s nerves than actual armor. The heat quickly turned oppressive, and as I walked into the venue, the nerves began to bubble up. I had faced a few dragons before—one of my biggest supporters is indeed one of them! But these Walpole dragons were a different breed, fiery and formidable.

As I stood there, melting in my coat with seven minutes to make my case, I handed over my cherished swatches of Harris, Ardalanish, Linton, and some wonderfully soft cashmeres from Joshua Ellis. With each passing moment, my words spilled forth in rapid succession, tripping over themselves as I articulated my beliefs in tailoring, new proportions, and the methods I use to elongate and flatter the body. I rambled on about my scallop coat and the intricacies of the unlined pre-fitted shawl collar of a man’s smoking jacket that I had been toiling over since Christmas.

Questions came at me fast and furious—appropriate, I suppose, for the fire-breathing dragons before me. Guy Salter, the founder of Crafted and architect of the ‘Make Britain Great’ campaign, and the eloquent chair of the panel, Sarah Elton, whose influence has been pivotal in the success of Smythson, along with Ed Mason, owner of a respected tailoring company, grilled me with pointed queries.

When I stumbled out after the interview, I thought, “Well, that’s blown it.” I remember uttering something about how “frightening” the experience was. At one point, when Sarah asked how I handle criticism, I defensively replied, “Well, I actually enjoy it”—not my best moment.

What followed was an afternoon of self-berating, a stiff drink, and a lengthy evening of analyzing every misstep. By 9 PM, I had resigned myself to the notion that at least I had given it my best shot. Yet, just before bed, I found myself checking my email one last time. The subject line from Keri Beak, the organizer, didn’t give much away but somehow screamed “sorry” to me. When I opened it, I was struck dumb. Stunned and delighted, I learned I had made this year’s selection of Walpole Crafted!

Once the initial shock wore off, a new panic set in: what on earth would I display on such short notice? A quick call to my good friend Helen, the Master of Foxhounds, led to the swift retrieval of her bespoke hunting coat—fresh from the field, pockets filled with safety pins and a bit of mud. The realization hit me like a bolt: my summer collection would hardly pair perfectly with a hunting coat!

Back to the drawing board I went, searching for the most intricate fabric I could find. I stumbled upon a soft, part cashmere Magee fabric I had used four years prior to create a piece for Stephen Fry. I developed a new stitch for the velvet on the collar and the back belt panel, resulting in the proud Mary coat, complete with a dramatic three-meter skirt and elegant horn buttons.

Then came the moment of truth at the Royal Academy, surrounded by an expertly curated showcase featuring previous mentees. This time, however, I made a statement—no tweed in sight! The journey had brought me here, and I was ready to embrace every moment.