Take at look at these posts- http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2010 … -suit.html and http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2010 … uper.html. Note the blatant advertising at the bottom.

The firm concerned advertises its bespoke tailoring - http://www.hemingwaytailors.co.uk/. Yet Crompton writes "Toby’s suits are made at Cheshire Bespoke, which has an excellent reputation and makes for one or two Savile Row names as well." Cheshire Bespoke makes RTW and made-to-measure suits for Chester Barrie, Huntsman and Richard Anderson.

He goes on "I’m very pleased with the suit as finished, and it received some appreciative comments on the details during a recent meeting at Kent, Haste & Lachter." (looking for a freebie?) Yet he concludes "a good option for off-Savile Row at £1800, particularly given Toby’s eye for fit. I can’t vouch for the cutting, but Toby says all customers are made individual patterns".

So Crompton says he can't vouch for the cutting despite posting a picture of himself in his suit. But he also says is pleased for a bespoke suit from a Yorkshire firm (supposedly made to his individual pattern by Cheshire Bespoke in Crewe) which he says is very pleased with. What a farce!

Crompton (previously a loyal customer of Graham Browne) now has three new suits by Anderson & Sheppard, Huntsman and Hemingway/Cheshire Bespoke worth around £9/10k.

http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2010 … d-out.html
Crompton extols the business benefits of being featured on his blog.

Gilgamesh2003 wrote:

http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2010/10/all-sold-out.html
Crompton extols the business benefits of being featured on his blog.

I think that 'grubby' is the word. Yes, grubby. Great word 'grubby'. Moreover the business-benefits post is aptly entitled 'All Sold Out'. Exactly.

Last edited by NJS (2010-10-01 11:39:01)

Roll dhem droms.

Bishop of Briggs wrote:

It is only fair that I post Simon Crompton's explanation on his blog - http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2010 … note.html.

"I’ve had a few questions recently regarding my step up to Savile Row bespoke suits, which is fair enough – I declared previously that they were out of my price range.

The change has largely been a result of an increasing amount of consultancy work and advice that a few brands, tailors among them, have asked me to do this year. As a professional journalist and someone who now knows the luxury menswear market fairly well, a few have found this useful. I’ve been working with Anderson & Sheppard, for example, on the re-design of parts of their website and on an in-house blog. Some also ask me to advise them on writing and editing.

I haven’t offered that many opinions on Savile Row suits yet, but I'd like to report back after a few months. Not only does that allow me to form a more considered opinion, but it also means I can report on wear as well as immediate fit.

Thanks everyone
Simon"

Props to FNB who have forced an explanation.

Now, let us examine what that explanation is.

He is making more money. But not enough, presumably, to actually buy his suits or he would say so. Accordingly they are freebies or discounts and he is not saying so. Instead he is using weasel words (that must be the professional journalist bit coming out) to avoid the point and mislead people. Shabby.

Moreover, he is going to report back on his new toys when he has worn them for a few months. This allows him to form a considered opinion. Presumably, therefore, we must conclude that his puffing of the Luper (Hemmingway) 'bespoke' suit made by someone else who he never met, is ill-considered and thus unreliable.

He will report back on wear. Let us pose this simple question: Simon, if you say the suit wears like crap, will anyone want you to write for them, 'consult' for them, design their website or have you near the place? Unless, possibly, your name is Gilchrist or Kabbaz the answer is plainly 'No'. Consequently, unless he has disassociated himself from his customers, he is bound to review favourably because he is on the payroll.

None of this is particularly problematic in itself. The web is full of advertorial. But reputable organs clearly label it as such. Crompton doesn't. That's bent.

formby wrote:

Does Mr Taxman know about this 'liddle' arraignment?

Nice point Formby. So much for the subject lacking "good journalism" - his is now totally compromised as it's all about freebie shoes and suits. Moreover, the professional side of his journalism seems to rest upon several blogs where he rehashes the same stuff and two articles in GQ online (despite his sometime position 'No magazines for me'. He should now add the rider:

'Unless they allow me to peer out from on the inside of the tent.'

Mind you, if one had a thick enough skin, I guess freebie suits and shoes from good makers is "Nice work if you can get it" and I cannot say that my opinion is unaffected by a curious mixture of a strange kind of envy and incandescent scorn - not just for him but the others involved. Cleverley, Huntsman and A&S can't be that desperate, surely?

Last edited by NJS (2010-10-07 11:32:22)

If I were looking for someone to spruce up the prose of my self-indulgent fashion blog or brand website I would not look to Mr. Crompton. His writing rarely passes serviceable. I'm surprised to hear that anyone would offer him paid consultancy work for writing and editing.

Gilgamesh2003 wrote:

If I were looking for someone to spruce up the prose of my self-indulgent fashion blog or brand website I would not look to Mr. Crompton. His writing rarely passes serviceable. I'm surprised to hear that anyone would offer him paid consultancy work for writing and editing.

It has always been worth a read. Who else would you put in his place?

Then again, I am not in the market for a bespoke suit. Too expensive too much bother. When would I wear it? If that makes me a Small Timer I am not bothered. If I pay to be a Big Shot I want guaranteed results. Tailoring does not seem to offer that.

Kingstonian wrote:

Gilgamesh2003 wrote:

If I were looking for someone to spruce up the prose of my self-indulgent fashion blog or brand website I would not look to Mr. Crompton. His writing rarely passes serviceable. I'm surprised to hear that anyone would offer him paid consultancy work for writing and editing.

It has always been worth a read. Who else would you put in his place?

Then again, I am not in the market for a bespoke suit. Too expensive too much bother. When would I wear it? If that makes me a Small Timer I am not bothered. If I pay to be a Big Shot I want guaranteed results. Tailoring does not seem to offer that.

I don't think that Crompton's contribution to the human career is so vital that he would require a replacement, were he to read my unkind remarks and retire to the countryside to live a life of quiet contrition.

NJS wrote:

Kingstonian wrote:

^ I do not object so forcefully. For whatever reason, he has admitted he is not paying full price for the stuff. Fair enough. He has always stated he would be keen to be offered Savile Row and similar stuff at good prices.

He has also allowed time before he says more. We can wait and see.

As long as he has stated he has not paid full price there is no real deception. You make your own mind up about subsequent reviews. Caveat Emptor and all that.

He is compromised. It is just the question of degree: a bit like George Bernard Shaw asking Miss X: "Would you sleep with me for £10,000" - Answer "Why yes, Mr Shaw". Question 2: "Would  you sleep with me for two pounds?" Answer: "Certainly not, what do you take me for?" Response "We have settled that, now it is just a question of the price." Moreover, he had to be flushed out (well done Bishop) and tries to dodge the issue with "A Quick Note".

Pedant mode on/

Was that not Winston Churchill's bon mot?

/off

NJS wrote:

JohnL wrote:

NJS wrote:

He is compromised. It is just the question of degree: a bit like George Bernard Shaw asking Miss X: "Would you sleep with me for £10,000" - Answer "Why yes, Mr Shaw". Question 2: "Would  you sleep with me for two pounds?" Answer: "Certainly not, what do you take me for?" Response "We have settled that, now it is just a question of the price." Moreover, he had to be flushed out (well done Bishop) and tries to dodge the issue with "A Quick Note".

Pedant mode on/

Was that not Winston Churchill's bon mot?

/off

Mine is a paraphrase of the whole anecdote but as to whose original story it was: shall we have a wager on it?

I doubt we would easily get a definitive answer, a quick search shows it attributed to GBS, WSC, Marx (G not K) and Mark Twain. Of course they could all have said it and I would think that at least 3 would be in the frame for the originator.

More freebie BS on Dents gloves? - http://permanentstyle.blogspot.com/2010 … made.html.

"There’s an odd little bit of Selfridge’s between Ralph Lauren and the Kurt Geiger shoe emporium. It contains general accessories – hats, scarves and gloves – and stands out because it is the one part of the menswear floor not obviously split up into concessions. Perhaps the licenses are too small to deserve more floor space; perhaps Selfridge’s wants at least one area that feels more like a store, less like a branch.

This is the only place I had previously come across Dent’s gloves; not exactly auspicious. "

Yet he goes on to write a puff PR piece on the company's history and manufacturing processes but he has not even visited the factory.

"Expect even more unwanted detail when I travel down to Warminster (location of Dent’s current factory) to see the process myself later in the year."

What a tosser!

Last edited by Bishop of Briggs (2010-11-02 15:02:48)