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.
Website
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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