Today’s feature is a very special piece. On the outside, onlookers are presented with a beautifully structured tweed jacket and vest that fits the wearer well while displaying a polished appeal. What viewers wont know is that this custom piece comes with a bit of touching history that the wearer will carry with him everywhere he takes this stunning duo.
The year was 1987 and our featured patron, R.F, was on a co-op position at a London, Ontario retail establishment. This establishment was one of the few retailers — other than Holt Renfrew — carting the full line of Ralph Lauren children’s wear. A buying trip was on its way and our patron’s boss had asked him to fly out to Montreal and visit the Ralph Lauren buying office. R.F, being the well-dressed gentleman he is, even before becoming a Trend patron, was dressed in tweed trousers from Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 1987. As the buying trip came to a close, and R.F was about to board a taxi to the airport, the President of Ralph Lauren’s children’s division asked him if he wanted some fabric to make a blazer to match his pants. Amazed and eternally gratefully, our patron excitedly said yes and within 10 minutes the tweed fabric was wrapped in brown paper and passed onto him. For many years the fabric had been isolated and idle until one day — in 2016 — R.L unpacked the fabric and was relieved to find it in perfect condition. As a Christmas gift to himself, R.L brought the fabric to us with means to create a Ralph Lauren English Gentry style blazer and vest.
As we handed the vest and blazer to our patron, he couldn’t help but be flooded with the memories of the buying trip that brought him here 29 years later. He will forever remember the kindness of the Ralph Lauren team as well as the professionalism and understanding we showed him here at Trend Custom Tailors.
