S.T.Y.L.E.: A Conversation with Fielding & Nicholson

In the British menswear movement Savile Row and it's clothiers sit high atop the precipice of the tailoring fraternity, like the proverbial Manchester United unchallenged and like the newly crowned champions of English football the competition is falling behind. Not on quality or design, but often through lack of knowledge that there are other makers who can challenge the infamous names of the W1 postcode.

Fielding & Nicholson are hoping to make the attainability of suiting comparable in quality and service from the revered address a reality without having to take out a small mortgage.

We recently met with Ian Fielding who, a decade ago, saw a gap in the market to appeal to a more discerning customer who could forgo the recognised stalwarts in favour of a man with a vast knowledge of his trade and a inclination to provide continued service and dedication to a loyal group of patrons.

On a typically changeable, sunny/rainy April day in London we met at no.12 Savile Row to find out more about the brand and how Ian hopes to expand and increase it's demographic in a monopolised arm of the fashion industry:

ES: How did the company begin life?

F&N: After a succession of jobs in PR, marketing and managing clothing accounts for a tailor having a keen interest in clothes we set out to create a service for the market.

ES: Where did you learn you trade?

F&N: In London with Tom James, a personal tailoring service. Although I was based in London I would be visiting clients across Europe and bringing a tailoring service to the customer.

ES: What sets you apart from your competitors?

F&N: We use the same milliners and cloth suppliers as the Savile Row houses but can afford to have a lower price point as we don't have to pay the rents for a shopfront on the famed street. Our factory and workshop are in Ossett.

ES: What best describes your style of tailoring?

F&N: Classic British aesthetic, think Sherlock Holmes brought in to the 21st Century. A mix of city and country styles.

ES: Who would best represent your brand?

F&N: Daniel Craig or Jude Law.

ES: Which tailors do you admire or draw inspiration from?

F&N: I really like what the Cad & The Dandy are doing at the moment and classically Huntsman are a personal favourite.

ES: When you're not wearing bespoke suiting, what high street stores do you recommend?

F&N: Charles Tyrwhitt has a great casual range which is good value for money and I really like Nigel Hall, quality British brands.

ES: What is your price point?

F&N: We offer a made to measure service starting at £650 and bespoke at £1,200*. All of our products also come with a 5 year guarantee for repairs or alterations.

ES: Will you be showing at any of the menswear events in the Summer?

F&N: We will have a presence at Bristol fashion week and are hoping to secure appearance at the London Collections: Men for A/W.

ES: What does the future look like for Fielding & Nicholson?

F&N: We're hoping to set up operations in Switzerland to increase our presence in the European market and the USA in the very near future.

ES: How do people make an appointment with you?

F&N: You can call us on 020 7324 6049 or email team@fieldingandnicholson.com, we have offices in Clerkenwell or here in Savile Row for appointments or we can come to you, at home or at work, nationwide.

*Price excludes VAT. This is equivalent to Suit Supply (I like what Suit Supply are doing but being a Dutch company they have a very slender slim silhouette which doesn't tend to flatter the average stocky gent).

So if you're thinking about making an investment in tailored clothing for any cause you can find more info for Fielding & Nicholson on their website here. You can also follow them on Twitter @bespokentailor .