To Harrison's, per everyones favorite forum runner Michael Alden. Smiths London premises to close.
I realllllly hope they don't rationalize Smiths lines, they are a fantastic supplier.
I suppose if I was getting stuff made it might affect me but I do not and I cannot bluff about what merchant is better than another or why.
Here is our favourite blogger on cloth merchants.
http://www.permanentstyle.co.uk/2013/04/huddersfields-mills-and-merchants-explained.html#.UwTKp38gGSM
Last edited by Kingston1an (2014-02-19 08:16:38)
Alden looks so supercilious in photos.
I get a fair amount made, and really like Smiths. Slightly different texture than the other British merchants I tend to see. Somewhere between Lesser and Harrisons. Crompie showing his idiocy by simultaneously stating blatantly obvious things like cloth is spec'd by merchants and made in factories with mind blowing cluelessness by stating tailors aren't aware of this. It's not a big wonder he is hated.
I can't argue your second post though.
Ah, bought Smith Wollens, that means they'll have bought W.Bill too.
Only thing I have from Smith is Solaro.
^ W.Bill is supposedly going to keep their premises. Not sure if that makes any difference or not.
The facts are that David Graham of SMiths/W.Bill wanted to retire and sell.
Harrisons wanted to buy.
Business from Smiths will carry on as usual until Monday 17th March - at this point,goods will continue to be shipped from Smiths/W.Bill…BUT invoiced from Harrisons.
From the 31st March,EVERYTHING will be invoiced and shipped from Harrisons Exeter HQ
I see this as a positive move.
I believe that W. Bill is the real prize and I am fairly sure it's going to be updated with newer qualities and ranges.
Many of these cloths are made by the same handful of mills so it isnt like the quality becomes unavailable. I think the H. Lesser brand has gotten more robust; all the acquisition did was ensure stock and update the choices to contemporary needs.
I've actually never found much from W Bill that turns me on. Hopefully they do get some new ranges though, I am certainly going to keep an eye on it.
Most folks don't understand the merchant/mill hierarchy obviously, so there will be plenty of overreaction I'm sure from iGents far and wide. I don't worry about it much, I just hope they keep the ranges I like (and don't re spec them), as I think they are fantastic all arounders, especially for my traveling.
I actually just got a suit made out of Lesser fabric for the first time, and I won't say I'm disappointed, but I definitely prefer the Harrisons branded ranges I have.
Have you made up anything in the P&H Glorious Twelfth David?