Monday 13 February 2012

The Harrogate Suit. *The only truly slim fitting wedding suit available to hire.



Way back in 2010 we here at Jack Bunneys decided to design a new wedding suit for our hire department that would be our Jack Bunney signature design for 2011. This is something that we have always tried to do every year. To have one design or more importantly one image that becomes our signature image for that wedding season. This all started back in 2007 when we had an image taken at a wedding fayre which become a Google favourite. Then in 2008 we had a brown wedding suit image which become incredibly popular, 2009 a brown tail suit image and in 2010 the images of the Worcester suits.
So for 2011 we wanted something that was special! It had big shoes to fill, after all the afore mentioned ranges had been incredibly popular. So we gave ourselves a design brief. A very simple bullet pointed list of must-haves for the design.

  • It must be a definitive wedding suit.
  • It must not be 'main-stream'.
  • It must fit like a made-to-measure or bespoke suit.
  • It must be made from the very best fabric available.
  • Normal rules of hiring suits, should NOT apply.

So we sampled some styles and looked at a million fabrics. And slowly a plan developed. The Worcester range and the Oxford Premium suits were our current 'most popular' designs. And we knew from our customers feedback that they would like a suit which was 'Slimmer' fitting than our 'slim line' suits, they also wanted a style which was in-between the two most popular designs.

With this design concept in mind we had a suit made which we called the 'Half-Tail' , we had it made in brown, and we put it onto display in our shop here. And to our surprise it did not receive a great reception. It was a mediocre response compared to our expectations. But this soon changed.
We decided that the design would look best without a 'wedding' waistcoat but rather a matching waistcoat, so the suit could be worn as a three-piece suit. At this time in 2010 our Worcester ranges were being hired mostly with matching waistcoats and not with 'wedding' waistcoats at all. But this being our new signature range we could not simply have any waistcoat design.

We made quite a few different styles of waistcoat and experimented with different shapes and fits, our favourite became a u-shape dress waistcoat. This style of waistcoat is normally worn with a dinner suit (with a bow-tie) but we decided to use this waistcoat with a slim tie.
We displayed this new three piece, half tail, ceremony suit in our shop with a slim tie and within hours it was sold, within days we sold quite a few and within weeks we sold so many it was obvious that we had created something special.

At this point the design was now settled. And the search was on for the correct fabric. As tailors the fabric is as important, if not more important, than the design itself.
We were looking for a fabric that could be used in the hire (robust enough to be worn more than once and still look good), a fabric that would not crease excessively, a fabric that would reflect the light and look more impressive in photographs than a standard fabric and most importantly we were looking for the right colour. This is how we came to choose a mohair fabric from Vitale Barberis. It is a fabric that as tailors we have worked with before and we knew its limitations and its benefits, we were also lucky enough to have some input into the development of the colours with the mill.

We chose the correct colours eventually from a very small sample swatch. But once we saw the correct shades we just knew that they were what we searching for. And by the end of 2010 we had our finished design and our iconic image for 2011. The Blue and the Silver Harrogate Three Piece suit ; pictured above.

The Harrogate Range went onto be our most popular suit of 2011. We were lucky enough to meet some incredible customers from all over the world who came to our shop to hire and to buy this truly different and remarkable slim fitting wedding suit.

The popularity of the Harrogate Range has increased over the course of 2011 and for 2012 we launched a new range of suits to compliment the Harrogate. We have called this new range the Richmond. It is shorter version of our original 'half tail' design concept.

We also launched a new colour in the Harrogate for 2012. And in our latest photo-shoot created our Jack Bunney signature image for 2012. The Three Harrogate suits standing side by side with slim ties and u-shape waistcoats.

The Harrogate Range is the only truly slim fitting suit, which has been exclusively designed just for weddings, available for hire in the U.K.

Although over the last few weeks we have seen many businesses attempting to emulate our designs, none have managed to match our iconic designs, this is because the design process is part of the finished product. The attention to detail achieved by having that process is unobtainable by simply copying.

The Harrogate, slim fitting , wedding suit is available to hire or buy exclusively from Jack Bunneys tailors. www.jackbunneys.co.uk


Thursday 9 February 2012

Bow Ties for Weddings - mainstream Vs alternative

Hi All,

Today we are talking about bow ties for weddings. Why? ... Well there is definitive trend towards wearing Day Bows for weddings. I know that this trend is certainly not new and if you are a reader of any of the major wedding blogs or alternative wedding blogs you will be wondering why I am bringing this up now! But as alternative trends sometimes do, they eventually become mainstream. And this is certainly the case for Bow Ties for weddings.

Before getting into this subject too deeply I have a confession to make and that is; I have never been a fan of wearing bow ties for weddings.

If you are an observer of the Jack Bunney designs you will notice that I have never used a bow tie with one of my designs (other than with an Evening Suit). This is not because I dis-like how they look, I actually think they look cool and own a few myself. It is also not because I believe in some kind of rigid etiquette or mode of dress for weddings. I have never been a fan of using them within my designs because I believe that wearing a bow-tie (a day-bow tie not a Tux) for a wedding is a quirky, eccentric alternative to the mainstream. Which is fantastic! But this is not what our designs represent. Our designs represent a Jack Bunney interpretation of the classically English Tailored Morning Suit. Our final representations are sometimes a million miles away from that starting point but the starting point for the design remains the same.

Having said all that, I have recently met some wonderful Grooms-to-be who have a preference for a bow-tie. And I have to admit that although I was sceptical and cynical at first the customer is indeed always right and if the whole ensemble is correctly assembled the wearing of a day-bow is acceptable. I would say that I have also met quite a few couples who like the idea of wearing a bow-tie because it is alternative and quirky but the wedding they are planning and the suit (outfit) they are putting the bow-tie with is not in anyway quirky or alternative. It is this type of; alternative for the sake of it, that is becoming the norm. Because alternative is becoming the mainstream the two are being blended together in not always the best combinations (in my opinion).

For me alternative is as much about the couple, as it is the wedding they are planning. An alternative wedding is about the couples beliefs, their lifestyle and their attitude. A beautiful alternative wedding can be held in an empty field in Norfolk or a London Cathedral, it is not the venue, or any other 'booked and paid for' service which will dictate how alternative a wedding will be, it is the couples own individual style and their creativity which is the determining factor.

So my point is fairly simple. Please do not try to be alternative for the sake of it. If you are not alternative, if your are main stream, that is fine, in fact whatever you and your partner are (or are not) is fine. Your wedding is about being honest with the world, telling the world just how much you love each other. So be honest, be true to yourselves and show-off who you really are. Not who you would like to be.

And if you do decide to wear a bow-tie please learn to tie it yourself! A bow tie is a personal and tactile thing, each knot should be unique to each person, a clip-on is just not the same.

*update 20/12/12 - A new Blog Post with lots of lovely images of our suits with bow ties can be found here: http://jackbunney.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/wedding-suits-with-bow-ties.html

Thursday 2 February 2012

Jack Bunneys - Charity 2012




As anyone with a small business knows only too well, we are contacted on a daily basis by charitable organisations and individuals looking for our businesses support or sponsorship. This can prove to be an annoyance, with phone calls, emails and personal visits every day but before I am accused of Scrooge like tendencies, I would like to make it clear that I have every admiration for the charity workers themselves and if I could support them all I surely would.

Obviously no business can support all of the organisations that contact them, A small business like ours can only assist a very small number of charities every year. In a normal year our policy for supporting charities is quite simple, each of us company directors selects a charity and as a business we support these three charities on a monthly basis for twelve months. We do not normally divulge which charities we support and quite honestly do not really feel we need to justify which charities we have chose to support.

This has been our policy for a number of years. But this year is going to be a little different. We are still going to support our chosen, private, charities but we are also going to be giving more vocal support to our other chosen charities.

Why are we doing this?

Well.. we think that financial donations are essential but our business can only give so much, so we can help support these charities in other ways. We can start by giving these charities additional exposure on the internet, by including them in our blog posts, our Twitter posts and our Facebook updates. This exposure not only raises awareness but can generate extra revenue from our customers and potential customers.

Here is the second one:


Cancer Recovery provides information and services to help everyone prevent cancer and recover from it. Unlike many other charities, we don’t put the money raised into research, we take a different approach to fighting cancer. Instead we believe that supporting those already battling cancer is just as important as finding a cure. We believe in helping people to overcome the life changing discovery that they have cancer, encouraging them to move on with their lives whilst supporting them every step of the way. So instead we use our funds to support people now suffering from cancer, in addition to sharing the experience and knowledge we have gathered.We also understand that people need very practical support and immediate support, so that is what we provide. We pay necessary bills for people and families affected by cancer. And we send children undergoing treatment toys and presents to cheer them up.Learn more about how we are helping people living with cancer through financial support, bringing cheer to children with cancer, helping women with breast cancer and read some of our case studies.


Jack Bunneys - Charity - 2012



As anyone with a small business knows only too well, we are contacted on a daily basis by charitable organisations and individuals looking for our businesses support or sponsorship. This can prove to be an annoyance, with phone calls, emails and personal visits every day but before I am accused of Scrooge like tendencies, I would like to make it clear that I have every admiration for the charity workers themselves and if I could support them all I surely would.

Obviously no business can support all of the organisations that contact them, A small business like ours can only assist a very small number of charities every year. In a normal year our policy for supporting charities is quite simple, each of us company directors selects a charity and as a business we support these three charities on a monthly basis for twelve months. We do not normally divulge which charities we support and quite honestly do not really feel we need to justify which charities we have chose to support.

This has been our policy for a number of years. But this year is going to be a little different. We are still going to support our chosen, private, charities but we are also going to be giving more vocal support to our other chosen charities.

Why are we doing this?

Well.. we think that financial donations are essential but our business can only give so much, so we can help support these charities in other ways. We can start by giving these charities additional exposure on the internet, by including them in our blog posts, our Twitter posts and our Facebook updates. This exposure not only raises awareness but can generate extra revenue from our customers and potential customers.

So here is the the first one. A very special young man: Mitchell Huth:

The Mitchell Huth Appeal

Our son Mitchell Huth was born on 17th June 2005, weighing a very healthy 9lb 10oz. We felt so happy and our family was now complete. Things started to seem not right with Mitchell when he started to develop chronic constipation and would never settle, he could never sleep through the night. We called for help and support and went back and forth to our GP. In June 2007, we were given the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Whilst it took a lot to accept that he has this diagnosis, we channelled it all into getting the support he needs. A year of a fantastic social and communication centre working very hard with Mitchell paid off, as he then went onto mainstream school. He has done so well and become a very fun loving and independent little boy who has made us all so very proud.

He just started Year 1 in September 2010, a few weeks into the new term things took a turn for the worst. On October 11th after some signs on his head area and left eye didn't seem normal, we were told out worst nightmate. Our son had Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Mitchell has had chemotherapy, surgery to remove the primary tumour, high dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue and radiotherapy. We are now at the stage of receiving UK Antibodies on a trial. Unfortunately there is still an unacceptably high percentage of children relapsing after having this. Worse, is the fact that there is currently no relapse protocol in the UK.

Should Mitchell relapse we would have to take him abroad for treatment. These treatments cost upwards of £150,000 and to give Mitchell the best chance to beat relapse in the brain (a very common relapse site), we would need to have a deposit of around £300,000 to begin treatment in America. Please help us build this fund for Mitchell, to give him the best chance of life he so rightly deserves. With all my heart, thank you, Mitchell's mummy.
Or you can donate directly to the Natwest bank, account number: 88722252 Sort Code: 55-81-28.
For further details on ways to donate please visit www.familiesagainstneuroblastoma.org
Visit my facebook page here -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-5yr-old-Mitchell-Huth-beat-Neuroblastoma-Cancer/124231524299944

Donating through this page is simple, quick and secure. It is the most efficient way to give – so every donation goes further – and if you are a UK taxpayer and give Gift Aid consent the charity will receive extra at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

Group(s):
Team Mitchell


About Families Against Neuroblastoma (FAN)

FAN needs your support in many ways. Donations made to FAN will primarily be used to directly support our families. It will help provide the children with days out, wish experiences, and other things that are all intended to boost moral and put a smile on everyone's face. We firmly believe this can help make a positive impact on the success of the child's treatment. Unfortunately, not all our children will survive, and therefor it is vitally important that we can help pack as much fun into their short lives as we possible can, and leave the family with precious memories to cherish after they have gone.

A donation to a child's individual appeal will be held for the sole use of that child for treatment or for quality of life. These appeals often have a very high target due to the enormity of the medical expenses, and are therefor dependant on the generosity of donations from the general public. This really can mean the difference between life and death. Should the child no longer need the money raised in their name, funds will either become available to other children within the charity, moved to our emergency fund, donated to Neuroblastoma research, donated to our general fund, or a combination of all four, as agreed with the family.



Mitchell Huth Charity SkyDive

A team of 10+ of us are taking part in a Skydive for Mitchell.

Mitchell is 6 years old from Hornchurch, Essex.

Mitchell was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma Cancer in October 2010.

He has had chemotherapy, stem cell collections, radiotherapy, high dose chemotherapy and took part in the UK Antibodies Trial.

Unfortunately none of these treatments were successful and Mitchell has relapsed.

The only protocol now is to get him to Germany or The USA for treatment, but these cost anything from £150,000 to £1,000,000!

There is nothing more the NHS can do for Mitchell.

It is now a critical, life or death situation.

Please help our team raise as much money as possible for Little Mitchell for the treatment he deserves!

What would you do?

From the bottom of ours hearts, to the moon, the stars and back again.... Thank you xxx



Donating through this page is simple, quick and secure. It is the most efficient way to give – so every donation goes further – and if you are a UK taxpayer and give Gift Aid consent you will boost your donation.

Thank you for your support.



About Families Against Neuroblastoma (FAN)

FAN needs your support in many ways. Donations made to FAN will primarily be used to directly support our families. It will help provide the children with days out, wish experiences, and other things that are all intended to boost moral and put a smile on everyone's face. We firmly believe this can help make a positive impact on the success of the child's treatment. Unfortunately, not all our children will survive, and therefor it is vitally important that we can help pack as much fun into their short lives as we possible can, and leave the family with precious memories to cherish after they have gone.

A donation to a child's individual appeal will be held for the sole use of that child for treatment or for quality of life. These appeals often have a very high target due to the enormity of the medical expenses, and are therefor dependant on the generosity of donations from the general public. This really can mean the difference between life and death. Should the child no longer need the money raised in their name, funds will either become available to other children within the charity, moved to our emergency fund, donated to Neuroblastoma research, donated to our general fund, or a combination of all four, as agreed with the family





I am afraid after a long brave battle with Neuroblastoma our little hero Mitchell has passed on.  He was the best of us all and everyone here at Jack Bunneys is devastated.  Our thoughts are with his family at this horrendous time, our sympathies, respect and eternal admiration go out to the whole of Mitchell's family.