I think they lost the two main people who knew what they were doing, if they hadn't of copied a good shirt, I'm not sure they would've produced good shirt and how did they know that was a good shirt? Jim told them. And by what they're saying they don't want to be Ivy anyway, they are a nostalgically influenced label. But no real guiding light, brands need visionaries leading them, not accountants, they lost their vision when Jim, and this pattern cutter lady left. THey've done well to go to the right producers of these clothes, but again how did they know? I'm guessing from Jim's influence.

And what a terrifying thought that it is that Jim is the biggest assest to a clothing company! That's like leaving air traffic control to Oliver Reed!

Last edited by My Grandfather's Pants (2013-01-12 11:07:11)

The ultimate vanity trip!

But seriously why not?

Ha ha, definitely won't be modelling myself. Guy would be perfect, but it may be a conflict in interests for obvious reasons. Re Steadman, I genuinely hope they do well. They're not doing Ivy but they aren't claiming to now.

Yes, I can understand if he wouldn't be comfortable modelling for both brands. Still though, there must be other young guys out there into Ivy who could do the job.

Good luck on the hunt.

I can imagine JS being very supportive of and encoraging to FC. John already stocks some HS shirts as a kindness to Steddy who is an investor in John's new shop. You'd think there'd be a conflict of interest there, but John has always been a helpful sort.
Comparing HS to JS there's no competition really so why would John be bothered?

I think there's room for everyone all doing their own things within Ivy. As HS have moved to a sometimes-slightly-influenced-by-Ivy position the coast is clear for a new proper Ivy brand to sit alongside JS. John has always sold other people's shirts alongside his own (Albany & Georfrey Scott were both his labels). He was happy enough to sell Troy & Sero, Brooks & Press, so why not FC too?

There'll be a deal to be done, of course.

I think it would give John great pleasure to see that his work over more than half a century now keeping Ivy alive and relevant still inspired new people to feel the same way. It's all ripples in a pond. Just the fact that we have an Ivy 'scene' at all in the UK is entirely down to John. It could all have died with Lou Austin. Nobody else was doing anything in the genre. Cecil Gee soon moved on from being slightly Ivy influenced to the next fashion.

Swoooon...

That well defined, bell-shape roll when buttoned is something I've only seen on an old sears-roebuck poly/cotton shirt I have. It's something I absolutely love so thank-Gawd for these shirts. I can't praise enough how good that one in ILSfT looks.

Good luck with it all, Henry; I'll surely be snapping one up

It's going to be another week at least untill I have some decent picture to show you all. The website should be up and running by the end of Febuary.  Thanks Don.

Cheers Heikki,

I was warned off making the green ones by the manufacturer. They said green doesn't sell very well, seems they were wrong though judging by the comments on this thread.

We should put together a list of advance orders maybe ?

A Green 15/33 for me please.

Thanks -

Thank you & I can imagine !

I just thought that as a good indication of sales to come it might be useful to guage what a fairly typical cross section of the European Ivy wearing (ie incredibly diverse) population were interested in most.

Blue will always be a winner. Green is great for Ivy, if not with the wider menswear market. Stripes & checks always go down well...

what the hell, i must go green too. i vote it, i smoke it so one shirt doesn't harm does it.

a 16 1/2 / 34 for me, ta very much!