Meyer and Mortimer, like most tailors around Savile Row, have a long history of travelling overseas to see customers who cannot always make it to London. We have written more extensively on the subject in a previous blog here: Visiting Our Customers Overseas.
The fact this demand remains in place is a testament to Savile Row’s standing in the world and the tailors on around the street who uphold its traditions. With director, Paul Munday, travelling extensively throughout the year we thought we would return to our Q&A format and ask Paul what the average overseas trip entails.
How long have you been travelling overseas?
Thirty years. My first trip was to New York City. I was twenty-one years of age and working for Edward Sexton at the time.
Bespoke tailors overseas: Paul Munday & Oliver Cross in Washington DC
How often do you travel overseas?
Now at Meyer & Mortimer, it can be up to twenty times a year split across Europe, North America and the Far East.
Are you heading West or East again soon?
Yes, always. We publish our dates on the Overseas section of our website.
The Washington Monument
How long do you go for and where?
For example, when I go to North America I fly into New York City and stay there two nights, then Washington DC for one night and finally up to Toronto to see our Canadian customers. All in all, it’s a four-night trip.
Quite the busy trip then. What does the average day look like?
The first day is always the busiest in that I arrive in NYC around mid-day on Wednesday. After going through customs, I go straight to the hotel and get ready to see our first customer at 3 pm. I see the last customer at 6 pm and then spend the next hour or two preparing for the next day: calling customers, confirming times, preparing garments for customers etc. It's a short working day but a long one with the time difference. The next day is the same format albeit starting at 8 or 9 am and finishing at 6 pm.
So who do you see over there?
It’s a good mix. Meyer & Mortimer have customers we have been seeing for a long time who, dare I suggest, have become friends. We get invited out to dinner or their houses in the country from time to time which is great. Then, we have our new customers too who have been recommended to us or found us via our website.
Paul Munday visits The Royal in DC.
How long does each customer have?
I allocate an hour or half an hour to each customer depending on where they are at in the bespoke process: I could be measuring for a new bespoke suit; coming back for a first or second fitting, or returning to deliver the finished garment.
For more information on the bespoke tailoring process, please visit our blogs How Well Do You Know Bespoke I & II.
You alluded to evening plans, how do you usually spend the time when not seeing customers?
I'd be lying if I didn't say unwinding in the hotel bar. It's s a great place to relax after a day’s travelling and fitting, plus, you get to meet some fascinating people, who sometimes become new customers.
A bespoke suit ready for a fitting
Anything else?
I'll take in a gallery or visit a recommended restaurant like The Royal in DC [food pictured above].
A New York room with a view
Finally, why do you think there is still a demand for tailors from on and around Savile Row to travel overseas?
In a word, quality. Savile Row is known for it the world over along with its dedication to the traditional both in style and construction. People appreciate this along with the customer service the bespoke tailoring industry delivers as a whole.
Thank you, Paul, and all the best for your next trip.
If you would like to know about our overseas visits, please click here where we have dates and opportunities to sign up for updates and alerts.
M&M