The feature for this post is Stephen Luk. A well dressed, elegant gentleman, Steve cuts a dashing figure.
Steve with me outside the Bulow Residenz in Dresden, Germany
In this picture, Steve is wearing a 3 piece SB, made by A-Man Hing Cheong in Hong Kong. A-Man is one of the three great Bespoke Houses in Hong Kong..the other two being Baroman and WW Chan. The material is a beautiful, very light Super 180 by Scabal's. Known as the "Miracle", it is supposed to be light, finely woven fabric but yet still able to provide a good hang and flow. The shirt is also bespoke by Italian Tailor from Cistes 100% ultrafine cotton. The tie is by Luigi Borrelli and shoes are bespoke by John Lobb Paris.
The cut is particularly apt for Steve, emphasizes his slim and elegant physique. The button point is perfectly selected. The lapel is cut in proportion to his body, rather than by fashion, and is timeless. The coat is slightly nipped at the waist, emphasizing the upper V. His sleeves are cut to show a bit of linen from his shirt cuffs...adding dimension and depth. Shoulders look unpadded or very lightly padded, and are natural, flowing nicely over his shoulders, and allowing the upper sleeve to create a waterfall effect.
Tie is tied slightly askew, a desirable effect to make the entire ensemble looks totally relaxed and uncontrived. I would have put a pocket square on the chest pocket of the coat, but I have never seen Steve wear one, so perhaps I need to encourage him to start wearing them.
I am wearing a bespoke DB suit made by Gordon Yao in Hong Kong. I have been working with Gordon for about 4 years now, and his work is impeccable. The suit is cut beautifully, fully handworked, is very comfortable, and hangs well. Material is a 14 oz JJ Minnis chalkstripe woolen flannel - quite heavy these days, though de rigeur in the 1920. The heft of the material rewards the wearer by the way it hangs superbly with excellent drape. The woolen flannel also a lovely hand feel. I have the suit made up as a 3 piece, so within the DB coat, is a SB waistcoat. This suit, worn as a 3 piece is able to keep me warm without a topcoat through even wintry conditions, as long as it is above -10C.
My shirt is bespoke by Jantzen Tailors, also in Hong Kong. I have all my shirts made by Jantzen. I have been working with Ricky of Jantzen for many years, and have developed a close relationship with him. It is important for one to develop a deep relationship with your bespoke tailor as he needs to understand your body, your needs and inclinations.
My tie is by my favourite Italian tie company - Andrew's Ties in Milan. I have been using them for more than 20 years, and when I started to buy ties from them, they cost only L20,000 directly from a small store in Milan. I have experimented with 7 fold, 8 fold ties from famous and not famous houses, and I do like them to a certain extent...but my favourite ties are still those from Andrew. I must have a collection of nearly 50 from them.
Shoes are the Weymouth, handgrade series from Crockett & Jones. I always wear a silk pocket square, this one is a generic fine Chinese silk, purchased inexpensively in the streets of Hong Kong.
Note also that we are approximately the same height, and the button points of both coats are thus roughly the same level. The DB coat is slightly shorter than the SB, and this is as it should be. This is because the front panels of a SB open slightly to show some trouser leg, but the DB front panels remain closed always, and it needed to be cut slightly shorter to avoid the wearer from looking like he has short legs.
This next picture shows Steve in a more relaxed environment...just after lunch at Castle Weesenstein near Glashutte, Germany.
Coat by Eddie Chow made from Loro Piana cashmere and wool. Bespoke shirt by Turnbull & Asser, standard poplin; trousers by Italian Tailor of HK, Vitale Barberis Canonico's grey flannel; suede boots by Crockett & Jones.
Still extremely elegant. The cashmere/wool material is a bit country-ish like a smooth tweed. The texture of the material is quite amazing, and the hand feel is smooth. Again, excellent balance in the button position. Tapering shoulders accomodate for Steve's sloping shoulders, and the sleevehead feature a little roping. I would discourage normally a high rope or any rope for that matter on the sleevehead, but for the rustic material, and de-emphasized like Eddie has done here, it looks elegant and in place.
