Best of British (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Best of British

9:48am Thursday 26th August 2010 in

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An event to celebrate the best of British takes place in one of the capital’s most famous fashion thoroughfares, next week.

The Art of Being British will showcase some of the specialist retailers and restaurants located in the Jermyn Street area. There will be men’s and women’s catwalk fashion shows and demonstrations from many of the famous retailers in St James’s, including the hat, shirt, suit and shoemaking community.

Cheese experts will offer their wares; there will be a demonstration of how to mix the perfect Martini; cigar-makers will show the art of hand rolling; and a professional valet and butler will be giving advice on how to care for clothes.

Well-known names taking part include The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, TM Lewin and Davidoff. Shoemakers Foster & Son, based in Jermyn Street, will also be on hand to give demonstrations of their work, although don’t expect them to make a bespoke shoe on the day; the process normally takes eight months.

Richard Edgecliffe-Johnson, chairman says there’s something very British about a well-made pair of shoes.

“A properly dressed Englishman would start with his shoes,” says Richard. “He would then go to Savile Row for a handmade suit. The shoes would be the foundation of an Englishman’s wardrobe.

“British style is something the British themselves don’t fully understand or appreciate, I think. There’s something quintessential about it. That conservative British look is very much in demand internationally. There’s something very subtle about the design and look of something that’s British made.”

The Art of Being British takes place in Jermyn Street, on Saturday, September 4, from 12noon until 5pm.