Budd is one of those very rare things: a London shirt maker that still cuts its product on the premises.

 

Several shoe makers retain this connection to their workshop roots – Cleverley, Lobb and Foster’s being clear examples. And obviously scores of tailors across London still cut within sight of the customer – even if much of the making is done elsewhere, as with the cordwainers. But shirt makers have long been scarce. Even the number with bespoke operations is in single digits.

 

It was perhaps not surprising therefore that there was much wringing of hands when Savile Row tailor Huntsman took over Budd last year. This was a jewel in the Mayfair crown and needed a loving owner. Luckily Huntsman seems to be just that, perhaps not surprising given the recent steering of its own business and premises on Savile Row. Events, media involvement and collaborations have combined to make it one of the most modern houses on the Row in the past few years.

 

There are even collaborations. Budd is working with the new team at Fox Flannel, led by Douglas Cordeaux and new owner Deborah Meaden (of Dragon’s Den fame) to create beautiful dressing gowns under the mill’s new Merchant Fox concept. Using some of Fox’s wonderful windowpane flannel in cold-cheating 400-gramme lambswool, Budd is cutting these elegant gowns alongside its classic range, and taking orders for those wanting to personalise the piping or monograms available...

 

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