Pip Howeson Bespoke Tailor :
From Chelsea to St James
Deep in the back rooms of William Evans Gun and Rifle makers since 1883 , who are just a stone ’ s throw away from the historical St James Palace and in the heart of London ’ s ‘ club land ’ in St James , they have their own resident tailor , Pip Howeson . William Evans has since then grown and is renowned for its London gun room of new and second hand range of guns and rifles and bespoke gun making service .
William Evans has expanded their range over the many years they have been open to be more than just an establishment to purchase guns and rifles and now have a wide range of shooting clothes and accessories . Along with that they have had a recent addition to their portfolio and that is their bespoke tailor . Pip got into tailoring from a young age and it flourished from her love of coats . “ I trained with Savile Row and a number of couture houses before I finally started selling my own pieces .” Pip has wanted to work with William Evans for a while due to its entrenched history , “ They say it ’ s like a Diagon Alley for sports enthusiasts and it ’ s so much fun being part of creating this world . I ’ ve spent plenty of time studying their customer books from the 1920s too .” Her unique style of tailoring that has been inspired from equine and naval pieces brings together the garments that can be worn in the field to parties to the city .
Pip having founded her company in 2012 and now five years later has attracted some high profile clients including Stephen Fry and others on her books . Pip ’ s designs are based on military and traditional style for the modern day country person . Think long coats , big buttons , double and single breasted garments in thick tweed and serge fabrics . Quintessentially English and a lot of emphasis from her father ’ s Naval background can be seen throughout her collection .
Pip is renowned for working closely with the British handwoven textiles ; she is always seeking out family run mills that supports the British industry . Her fabrics are usually hand woven tweeds which being soft and malleable gives her coats her unique look . With her bespoke services being run from her Chelsea studio and now teamed up with William Evans in St James , the journey is an undeniable and very personable experience , “ it all starts from the initial conversation and commission as this really sets the direction for the rest of the process .” The design of the garment is a key stage to the process , and Pip uses a lot of visual sketches and drawings whereby she will liaise with the client to get the perfect garment .
Everything along the process has that unique quality , with hand-sewn buttons to give it that extra special touch . For Pip and her creations is creating the timeless piece , which works hand in hand with William Evans , who very much still create the timeless guns and rifles since 1883 . It is a wonderful experience walking through those doors in St James and seeing what they sell and craftsmanship put into their bespoke gun making service . Now you can walk away with the whole outfit to match the handmade gun .
Pip can offer the customer limitless possibilities to add to their garment and give it that real personal touch , “ We ’ ve printed triptych artwork into linings , embroidered gun engravings on suede leather belts and collar stands , created pockets specially designed for an artists paintbrushes …” this is also seen in her range of accessories on her website portraying beautifully crafted scarves with English country designs on them . This is a great accessory to any bespoke made coat or garment for out in the field . The bespoke art linings gives the finished product a sense of history but also beauty in art on the inside and a sense of traditional English tailoring on the outside .
With the tailoring world being heavily male dominated alongside the gun and rifle world , Pip has found it an industry that you can slip into quite easily as most people are willing to help you and teach you the trade , “ Craft is a kind world and I think men quite enjoy that we ’ re not about pretension as this is can sometime be associated with tailoring . We ’ ll push every boundary and rule to make whatever the client wants .” It is shown with her bespoke service and pre made garments on her website , whatever is made it is very rewarding and the skill and unique style she has created will look great on any male or female in the field or at home . That is what a timeless piece should have and that is what Pip has created . Why don ’ t you pop down to William Evans and have a chat with her yourself .
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