William Kissel

John Carnera and George Glasgow of G.J. Cleverley made headlines in the early 1990s when the British bespoke shoemakers acquired a cache of Russian reindeer hides at auction that had been resting in the hull of a recovered sunken cargo ship for more than 200 years. The skins, which the duo used to make dozens […]

For the optimum fit and comfort, undoubtedly a custom-made suit is the first choice. But, if you’re short on time or simply have a body type that doesn’t require special-fit needs, a made-to-measure suit is another option. For even some well-heeled gentlemen, the difference between bespoke and made-to-measure can be confusing. Here are details to […]

LODGING The recently renovated, five-star hotel The Connaught (+44.20.7499.7070, http://www.the-connaught.co.uk) offers residential-style suites attended by private butlers, who can design shopping excursions or make en-suite appointments with Savile Row tailors. A little more under the radar is the Chesterfield Mayfair (+44.20.7491.2622, http://www.chesterfieldmayfair.com), a chic hideaway that has Savile Row clients in mind: Many of the […]

It is another gray afternoon in London, but the atmosphere on Savile Row is anything but gloomy. On the contrary, the world’s most distinguished avenue of fine tailoring is nearly pulsating with shoppers. A quartet of well-dressed men strides by, wearing fitted windowpane-plaid topcoats like those made here for centuries. Inside Gieves & Hawkes, the […]

For 20 years, Michael Reslan was Brioni’s top salesman and executive vice president in the United States, traveling around the country helping high-powered executives build custom wardrobes. With his charisma and strong-shouldered sense of style, Reslan also became a friend and confidant to many of them: “When you eat and drink and fly with the […]

Since 2004, FootJoy has offered its MyJoys program, a custom service offering fashion-savvy golfers such as John Merrick, Jason Bohn, and Charley Hoffman, among others, more than 1.4 million ways to personalize their favorite pair of golf shoes—from selecting the skins and color combinations to the inclusion of country flags, collegiate logos, and monograms. Now, […]

If you’ve ever tried to locate one of Loro Piana’ baby cashmere sweaters or blazers, then you know just how difficult it can be to track down your size and color. With the company’s limited stock in stores and a web site that allows shoppers to browse but not purchase outside of Europe, Loro Piana […]

Renowned men’s tailored clothing company Cesare Attolini of Naples has opened its first store outside of Italy, on Madison Avenue at the corner of 67th Street in New York. Within the 2,500-square-foot space, clients can meet with the store’s tailor to select from nearly 1,000 swatches of fine English, Italian, and Scottish fabrics for bespoke […]

In his previous career as a fashion publicist and impassioned historian, Andy Stinson had many occasions to wax poetic about everything from silk ascots and Windsor-knotted neckwear to cutaway-collared shirts and cloisonné cuff links. Now the 30-year fashion veteran is putting both talents to use with the launch of Stinson R. Ely, a collection of […]

Fashioning a custom suit from qiviuk, the wool from the downy underbelly of a rare Canadian musk ox, is a complicated task even for the most competent tailor. The cashmere-like wool is composed of millions of hollow fibers that make it remarkably lightweight and breathable, but also painfully difficult to maneuver around a sewing needle. […]