From my mail bag: Terrific Tailors…. — American Girl in Chelsea

American Girl, Katherine, writes:
“This thank you is long overdue. We moved to London from Manhattan last August and the adjustment was not easy.

Thank you for all your suggestions- for Firezza, for Bliss Cleaners, for nail salons, etc… Thank you for your adorable stories and for sharing your experiences with the mini. Your blog is my go to place when I have a question or am simply lost- I adore it. I’m actually beginning to love this city.

QUESTION: Who is your tailor? I have yet to find one that I trust with more delicate items/fabrics.”

ANSWER: Thanks for your sweet email Katherine!
Having a great tailor is so important, and I have taken a poll of some very highly trusted friends to also help in this quest….. Mainly because, I need a better tailor too…
AG GAL PAL 1: “I use a really grotty looking place called Invisible Menders of Knightsbridge at 161 Gloucester Road (corner of the Gloucester Road and the Old Brompton Road), but seriously don’t be fooled by appearances… I took my bridal veil there, I have borrowed it from a cousin who had put her heel through it several times, a week later I picked it up and I cannot even find where the holes were. Another friend of mine has had jeans, skirts and dresses all altered there with great success. I also think its pretty reasonably priced, it cost £50 to fix my veil, which must have all been done entirely by hand.”
(Invisible Menders of Knightsbridge, 161 Gloucester Road, SW7 4TH, 020 7373 0514).

“The other place I have had tailoring done is the American Dry Cleaners on the Kings Road. Mr Singh, the tailor there, is a sweetheart. He is very professional, quick and efficient, again reasonable prices and took in a Tibi dress of mine that was 2 sizes too big for £30, when I had been quoted up to £100 for the same job at the dry cleaner on Lower Sloane Street.”

AG GAL PAL 2: “

I know a Ukrainian lady tailor who is based in Kensington, she was hired by Lanvin to completely resize my short wedding dress for my civil ceremony… it was a really complicated job given the cut and fabric (duchess satin covered with tiny little hand-sewn French knots!!) and Svetlana did a great job in the end. She will come to your home too and works at Magic Stitch which i am told is on High Street Ken… I have her number as 020 7937 6930.”

Thanks girls!!!

Comments

Jean says

June 13, 2011 at 9:10 am

I love the new graphic on your page 🙂 And this post is so helpful. I have been looking for a tailor as I have so many dresses and trousers that need to be altered. Thank you for this information!!!

An American Girl in Chelsea says

June 13, 2011 at 9:55 am

Hi Jean. Thanks for the comment! x

An American Girl in Chelsea says

June 13, 2011 at 10:36 am

Email from AG reader, Claudia:

Hi,

Regarding your tailor posting, I use an amazing woman that does house calls. She used to work for Designer Alterations and now works for herself and I wouldn't survive without her!

Josie tel. 07814 224808.

Good luck, I like your site. I used to run http://www.expatparent.com many years ago.

Regards,
Claudia

Anonymous says

June 23, 2011 at 4:51 pm

I can vouch for the above mentioned grotty-looking Invisible Menders of Knightsbridge. They do excellent work, even though, when you walk in, there's barely room to move, let alone work. However, they repaired a hole in my husband's wool jumper that made me understand why they call themselves “Invisible Menders.” I also had them let down the hems on several pairs of linen pants and even though they didn't have much fabric to work with, they did a perfect job.

Love your site!
Joy

An American Girl in Chelsea says

June 26, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Thanks Joy,

Good to know. My hubby has a winter coat that was attacked by moths, may give IM a try…

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