CASE STUDIES
We’ve Designed Bespoke Tailoring For Hundreds of Busy, Successful Men. Here We Share Their Stories.
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We’ve Designed Bespoke Tailoring For Hundreds of Busy, Successful Men. Here We Share Their Stories.
Alexandra Wood has worked with hundreds of high-profile, professional men to help them change their image and discover a passion for looking great. And every man who has walked through her door has done so because they’re looking for something different to the traditional Savile Row experience. A more relaxed approach to tailoring, a sense of fun, plenty of laughs, new ideas – and a wardrobe that elevates their confidence and makes them look fresher, sleeker, hotter.
You’ll be greeted by an enormous, welcoming smile (sometimes even a bear hug!). In a comfy armchair, Alexandra will get to know you, finding out about your lifestyle and personality, and then creating a collection of pieces that suit, and fit, you perfectly – revealing a version of you that you didn’t even know was possible. “If I do my job right – you’re going to look and feel more confident than you ever have,” says Alexandra.
Bespoke tailoring the way Alexandra does it isn’t about following rules and stiff upper lips. It’s about how she uses her natural eye for style and great taste, with an incurable desire for wanting every man to see just how incredible they could look. Here are just some of the incredible men Alexandra has designed for…
Chuka’s first set of Alexandra Wood suits landed him on the list of GQ’s top 50 best dressed men.
With a career spanning law to politics and back to law, it’s always been imperative that Chuka dressed immaculately. The challenge has been getting his work style to match his personality, all within the parameters of the somewhat rigid legal and political worlds.
I first visited Chuka as an employment lawyer in 2006. When young lawyers start out, there isn’t as much flexibility in how they dress. It’s not about making a statement, but about being elegant, understated and classy. Chukka has a tall elegant frame, so I knew I enhance that fully, while also choosing subtly vibrant shades of colour, that would help to make Chuka look cooler, in a way that was still deemed acceptable in his world.
And, as the years have gone by and Chuka has become more established, we’ve been able to have even more fun with his wardrobe, getting a little more adventurous with colour, which he welcomed, especially when it meant he was regularly named as the best dressed man in politics.
Teo Van Den Broeke, Esquire Magazine
It was this exact article in Esquire that inspired bestselling author and GQ columnist Tony Parsons to book an appointment with me. Tony writes for GQ so is in no shortage of advice on which tailor to choose – but after been given an extensive list of Savile Row tailors, he instead to think of a man who looks super sharp, and find out who dressed him. For Tony, that man was Chuka, and that designer was me.
Alan ordered his first suit in 2017, to wear at his son’s wedding. He loved the suit so much that he has since ordered another three bespoke suits from me, to complete his wardrobe, and replace the ill-fitting suits he’d previously bought.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ALEXANDRA FOR YOUR TAILORING?
I read the article on bespoke tailoring by Tony Parsons, in GQ magazine. Around this time, I was thinking of taking the “bespoke tailoring plunge”, but did not have any idea on which tailor to approach. Tony’s article made my mind up, with his description of the cut and quality of suits made by Alexandra, combined with the high level of personalised service, and a generally more modern and unfussy approach than is traditionally associated with Savile Row.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST IMPACT OF WORKING WITH ALEXANDRA?
My suits now fit superbly, and feel much more comfortable than any suits I’ve worn in the past. I’ve also benefitted from Alexandra’s advice on fabric and colour, so I now wear suits that flatter my shape, are “age-appropriate”, (without being drab and boring), and which complement my skin tone.
WHAT DOES DRESSING WELL MEAN TO YOU?
Someone who has a strong sense of personal style, who wants to be immaculately turned out, but who does not want to give the impression of trying too hard. It’s important to me to convey a strong sense of professionalism through the clothes I wear, but also avoid a “bland, corporate” impression.
WHAT MAKES ALEXANDRA DIFFERENT?
Her commitment to traditional levels of Savile Row quality, but without the negative connotations that Savile Row can have, which is off-putting to someone like me, who has never been drawn towards the historic “gentleman’s club” image of Savile Row tailoring. But ultimately, I have my suits made by Alexandra, because they are beautiful, high-quality products, which represent excellent value for money.
I love working with Luka. I have made a number of bespoke business suits for Luka, including a rather suave velvet smoking jacket he couldn’t resist. I love that Luka has such a great personality that allows for little quirks that still allow him to look deadly serious and sharp, whilst standing out.
Balancing a need for sharp workwear with a changing role is something I love to do. I have been working with Mark Lucraft since 2014, and in that time have helped to design his entire working wardrobe.
I’m really proud that his suits have lasted so long they’ve seen him through from being a barrister and then a QC, to his now incredibly prestigious title as the Recorder of London and lead judge. Humble and fiercely intelligent, Mark needs to look sharp yet understated. His job isn’t to stand out, but to command respect, which means he needs to look immaculate and feel great.
Jason Crowley, Editor , The Newstatesman
For Jason Cowley, editor of The New Statesman, it was less about finding a style icon and more about developing his own unique look. From a recommendation from his wife – who sent him to me with the instruction to get him out of chinos and dressing a whole lot better – Jason and I have worked together for a number of years now and I have helped both his professional image, while changing up ‘work from home attire’. Jason is always open to new ideas, which makes him really fun to work with – he even tried out a Gatsby hat which I recommended, and which he says he’s really rather now fond of now.
“I was looking for someone and somewhere new,” says Jason. “I’m tall – 6ft 2ins – and slim, with long arms and legs and broad shoulders and Alex has created a style that works for me, but is not flashy or fussy. For Jason, I design key classics, whilst always encouraging a little more experimentation with colour – he nearly ran for the hills when I suggested wearing green, but it’s ended up with being one of his favourite pieces.
“I’m not interested in ostentation or high fashion. I edit a national political and cultural magazine of some influence and do a lot of public events. It’s important that I dress well but simply and elegantly. I always say to Alex: “I want a suit that I could wear to a business meeting and also to a party or function.”
I’ve created an extensive wardrobe of chinos, jeans, shirts, suits and trousers for Helier. Like most of my customers he trusts my judgement and allows me to design and guide him every step of the way, which is always welcomed.
“Alexandra is a great tailor. She has excellent taste, works with you to find things which suit you and the quality of everything she has made for me is really high. Add to that the fact she’s charming and uplifting company, I’m very happy to recommend Alexandra wholeheartedly.”
Helier-Drage Smith, Director, PJT Partners
“She always knows what to choose for me, and makes all of it.” I’ve developed an entire wardrobe for Tim – including work suits, sports jackets, chinos and jeans – and create pieces for him on an ongoing basis. I suggest seasonal ideas to Tim throughout the year, and he lets me know which ones he wants. Then, as I have his measurements on file, I simply create them for him and then have them delivered. Tim’s last text to me upon delivery of his new wardrobe: “You’ve really excelled yourself this time!”
Marcus has been working with me over a decade – I make all of his formal and workwear. He was one of my earliest private customers and has stayed with me ever since.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ALEXANDRA FOR YOUR TAILORING?
I had grown increasingly tired of buying off the shelf suits that never fitted me quite right and didn’t last as long as I thought they should for the money. I went out to look for a small independent tailor who was prepared to put in the time to understand my suit needs explicitly and make them for me to fit properly and dress smartly.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST IMPACT OF WORKING WITH ALEXANDRA?
The clothes Alexandra has made for me over the years – which include suits, shirts, a dinner suit and a winter coat – all actually fit me, and I feel good wearing them. It’s been good to see her business grow from a single presence on Savile Row to her first premises in Bishops Stortford and then Shoreditch, and beyond.
WHAT DOES DRESSING WELL MEAN TO YOU?
It gives me the confidence to know that when others meet me, they recognise the effort and care that has gone into how I personally present myself, and that reflects on the way my company presents itself and the care that goes into what we do.
WHAT MAKES ALEXANDRA DIFFERENT?
I don’t actually like buying clothes, and I very rarely go shopping for them. When it comes to work wear, this is entirely Alexandra’s domain she gets to tell me what to do. I’m very happy with the professional image that she has created for me over the years.
Scanes Bentley was referred to me because he was moving from corporate life to becoming a non-exec director in fintech and software companies
I knew he wanted to talk about clothing options for different work and social situations, and create a wardrobe that worked with his changing role. On our first meeting and fitting, we talked through his style icons, ambitions and what he’d like to achieve with his appearance
“Alexandra genuinely wants to find a look that makes you feel at your best and most confident,” says Scanes. “One of the things that sets her apart is the time she takes to talk to you about what you want. The entire experience is truly bespoke: you never feel like anyone else’s style is being imposed on you, or like you have to try to fit into someone else’s house style.”
I designed and made a selection of suits, shirts, jackets and dinner suits for Scanes, all in a sleeker, more fitted style, which he loves.
WHAT DOES DRESSING WELL MEAN TO YOU?
Looking professional without having to think about it or worry about what I’m wearing. Running a school with hundreds of students who are instantly recognisable from their uniform, means that I want to share their sense of pride in how they look and to respect that fact that we expect them to dress well by doing the same.
WHAT MAKES ALEXANDRA DIFFERENT?
She is the complete opposite of any tailor I’ve known; approachable, relaxed and with a real sense of what colour and style will work for her clients. Trust her advice!
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ALEXANDRA FOR YOUR TAILORING?
I was tired of badly fitting off-the-peg suits and didn’t like the traditional, stuffy approach of other tailors that I’d visited in the past. A fellow headmaster recommended Alexandra and I’ve never looked back.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST IMPACT OF WORKING WITH ALEXANDRA?
Alexandra has gently (and correctly!) persuaded me out of my former choice of dull, safe, grey suits into much more appropriate colours. I would never have bought anything in bright blue before and certainly not in burnt orange, but both get endless compliments when I wear them.
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