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Tailor Joe Allen: ‘You may spend a lot on a good suit but it lasts a lifetime’ |
A Georgian street for the modern consumer
HISTORIC Georgian homes with specialised craft firms make Cross Street, off Upper Street, a unique and fascinating shopping parade.
Where else can you find the perfect modern painting – at Cross Street Gallery – and a little further along the street, a brilliant wooden frame for keeping it protected?
Cross Street Gallery’s Mark Wilson believes more people are investing in paintings than ever before – it’s nicer and more friendly on the pocket than the stress of diminishing shares – with prices ranging from £100 to £1,500 and upwards, including artists like Bridget Riley, Pat Caufield and Pat Heron.
The Frame Factory, going strong since 1984, boasts more than 6,000 square feet of gallery and workshop space with frames for every conceivable shape.
For those who like their cooking area beautiful and contemporary there is Funktional Kitchens, where you can find an extraordinary range of German-designed kitchens in 100 different colours and finishes.
Tailor Joe Allen is one of the shining stars of Cross Street, with clients including Princess Anne and pop stars Ringo Starr, Madness and the Eurhythmics.
Joe, who has had a shop in the street for nearly 30 years, wants to encourage more young people to go into tailoring.
He runs evening classes from 6pm to 9pm every Monday for aspiring tailors and designers, where they learn pattern-making and cutting.
He said: “My advice is that if you are going to do a trade, do it thoroughly.
“Don’t just learn how to design a garment. There are too many unemployed designers.
“Learn the cutting and the pattern making. Tailoring is time-consuming but it is also a labour of love.”
He believes the current recession may be good for the bespoke tailor.
“In the recession of the 1990s, people went to charity shops and discovered good quality handmade clothes.
“Today they are getting fed up with the mass-produced garments that you throw away after a few washes.
“My message is, you may spend a lot of money on a good suit or dress, but it will last a life-time.
“They can be repaired or let in or out depending on size.
“They are also ecologically friendly because we don’t exploit anyone in the third world.”
After leaving Highbury Grove with a clutch of O-levels Joe went to the London School of Fashion.
He went on to work for designer Katherine Hamnett and various big clothing firms, although always remaining an independent.
Recently he designed a burgundy herringbone dress for Princess Anne for private occasions and cotton trousers for Ringo.
Down the aisle in style
MAYBE it’s the recession bringing people together, but weddings – both church and civil – have never been more popular, according to bridal expert Annalize Senol.
Annalize runs the highly-successful Morgan-Davies bridal shop at 62 Cross Street. Women can get an appointment to while away an hour gazing at dozens of gorgeous designer wedding gowns.
“More people are getting married and there seems to be a trend for fashion-oriented gowns,” she said. “Our business has doubled on last year, probably because we’ve been established here for 10 years and people know us.”
She added that family values are very much in vogue. “Weddings are a big family event with lots of treasured memories,” she said. “Women want to look terrific on what is probably the biggest day of their lives.”
With many famous customers – the store is too discreet to name names – dresses are made from 100 per cent silk or other best-possible fabric. The vintage look, from 1900 up to the 1950s, is particularly popular.
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