Sunday 30 October 2022

REMEMBERING: A new future for Stewart Christie & Co Ltd







A new future for Stewart Christie & Co Ltd

Edinburgh:
On the 14th of August 2015 there will be a change in ownership of Edinburgh's oldest bespoke tailors.

Established in 1720, the company evolved over time, finally amalgamating to form Stewart Christie & Co Ltd. in 1933.

For the past 44 years the business has been owned and managed by Mr Duncan Lowe, who is the fourth generation of his family to work there as a merchant tailor. Mr Lowe was brought into the business by his father when in his early twenties, and has driven the business forward over time, carefully maintaining the company reputation as the premier Edinburgh bespoke tailor, country outfitter and supplier of sporting clothes and highland wear.

Ensuring the future of the business has been of chief concern to the owner, and this has now been achieved with the sale of Stewart Christie to Edinburgh based trio Dan Fearn, Vixy Rae and David Bassett - after an initial introduction made through the Incorporation of Edinburgh Tailors. Continuing to serve as a director of the firm will be Terence McClelland – head cutter and tailor who has been with the company nearly 20 years. “Continuity within the company through retaining skilled and experienced staff is important for all of us”, assert the new owners, adding “so too is the fact we can continue to call on Mr Lowe during the inevitable period of transition.”

Formerly lead designers at Walker Slater, both Victoria and Daniel with over 20yrs experience, have admired the heritage and reputation of the company for many years,

"It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take on and grow a businesslong established as Edinburgh's premier bespoke tailors" enthuses Daniel, "we all feel an immense sense of pride embarking on this journey, together with support from Mr Lowe, and it is an honour tobe custodians of such a long respected company."

The new team will be taking the company forward into the 21st century, by enhancing the store, establishing online retail, and developing a luxury own label brand.

"We all have a very similar work ethic and a common vision," comments Vixy, "developing Stewart Christie as a luxury brand, using local fabrics and British manufacture, we will celebrate and support Scottish and British craftsmanship in as many lines as we can." Existing brands will be balanced by increased own label product and new niche brands sought, to create a unique emporium for both ladies and gentlemen.

The company, housed in a Georgian building in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town (a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site) offers two floors of retail space in addition to the all important workroom, cutting bench and offices. The lower ground floor sales area will undergo a complete renovation and refit, and when ready, will accommodate the new ladies wear collection and bespoke service. The ground floor will be reconfigured over time to encompass the classical ideas of a gentleman's tailor and outfitter. "We will retain as much of the character as possible, and reference the origins of the company, making full use of the archives we possess" adds David, "the historically important archive resources will also be used in the development of the Stewart Christie brand and will be a source of inspiration for us all. It is important to update the company, whilst remaining faithful to traditional techniques and craftsmanship and embracing the unique heritage Stewart Christie boasts."

A wholesale collection of country inspired clothing but with a contemporary twist will be ready for viewing in the Spring of 2016.

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A new future for Edinburgh landmark
14 AUGUST 2015 BY ERIC MUSGRAVE

One of Edinburgh’s oldest classic menswear stores and bespoke tailors, Stewart Christie & Co, is under new ownership.

Daniel Fearn and Vixy Rae, ex-designers at independent retailer Walker Slater in the Scottish capital, and former colleague and customer David Bassett have acquired the business from Duncan Lowe, who has run it for 37 years.

Lowe was the fourth generation of his family to manage the company, which traces its roots back to 1700. It was amalgamated as Stewart Christie & Co in 1933.

The business is recognised as Edinburgh’s leading bespoke tailor, country outfitter and supplier of sporting clothes and Highland wear. Head cutter Terence McClelland, who has been with the company for nearly 20 years, will continue as a director.

“Continuity within the company through retaining skilled and experienced staff is important for all of us. So too is the fact we can continue to call on Duncan Lowe during the inevitable period of transition,” the new owners said in a statement. Financial details were not revealed.

The new team intends to enhance the store, establish a transactional website this autumn and develop own-label products. “We all have a very similar work ethic and a common vision,” Rae told Drapers. “Developing Stewart Christie as a luxury brand, using local fabrics and British manufacture, we will celebrate and support Scottish and British craftsmanship in as many lines as we can.”

Existing brands, such as Gurteen, Bladen, Dubarry and Cheaney will be balanced by more own-label product. New niche brands for men and women will be sought.

Stewart Christie, located in a Georgian building at 63 Queen Street in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), operates across two floors of retail space in addition to the bespoke workroom, cutting bench and offices. It employs two shop staff, four in the workroom and a book keeper.

The lower ground floor sales area will undergo a complete renovation and refit to accommodate a new women’s collection. Currently womenswear accounts for only 5% of sales, but the intention is to increase this to 30%.

The ground floor is to be reconfigured in due course. “We will retain as much of the character as possible, and reference the origins of the company, making full use of the archives we possess,” said Bassett. “These historically important archive resources will be used in the development of the Stewart Christie brand and will be a source of inspiration for us all.

“It is important to update the company, while remaining faithful to traditional techniques and craftsmanship and embracing the unique heritage Stewart Christie boasts.”

It is intended that a wholesale collection of country-inspired clothing with a contemporary twist will be shown to buyers in spring 2016.

Fearn worked for Walker Slater for 15 years. Rae worked there for five years. Before that she owned the Odd One Out boutique in Edinburgh and streetwear store Dr Jives in Glasgow.








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