Making to measure – London Cloth and Gresham Blake join forces

Master at work: Daniel Harris of the London Cloth Company in his Clapton workshop. Photograph: Steven Jones, Bismarck and Herring Photography

The London Cloth Company, located just the skim of a stone from Clapton Pond, has joined forces with trendy tailor Gresham Blake.

Blake, who recently created seven suits in seven days for Madness ahead of their performance at the Olympic Closing Ceremony, offers his clients the opportunity to own a personal piece of East London history through the partnership with the micro cloth mill.

Blake describes the process as ‘provenance tailoring’, placing a focus on the source. The garments are hand-stitched in the City of London and are either bespoke, made-to-measure or ready-to-wear designs, with the fabric created by the London Cloth Company, woven on shuttle looms in Clapton.

Blake, who has a shop in Shoreditch, said: “We have customers who want a bespoke and made-to-measure item because they want something unique to them.

“By working with the London Cloth Company we can work much more closely with our customers and if they want us to change the design for them, then we can do that.

“There are so many factories working anonymously for labels and brands. I enjoy working face-to-face with Daniel as it creates a natural energy. For me it’s about producing something unique and exclusive.

“Partnering with Daniel, who weaves by peddling these amazing fabrics on antique looms just two miles from my Shoreditch shop, is also a bit of a anti-globalisation statement for us.”

‘Classic tailoring with a rock ‘n’ roll twist’, Blake offers both edgy and understated options and has dressed a variety of famous forms, from Plan B and Ray Winstone, to Christian Slater and Barbara Windsor.

Commenting on the tie-up with Blake, founder of the London Cloth Company Daniel Harris said: “We started working with Gresham in May this year. We do a lot with him now, he is one of our best clients. We like working with him as he gives us a lot of freedom with the designs of the cloth.

“So far, we’ve woven a few traditional cloths [for him], plus several more exciting, unique designs including a Prince of Wales check in blue, grey and white tones with red accents. I can’t wait to see it made up.”

The London Cloth Company was founded by Harris in 2010 and is the first micro mill to open in London. Harris began as a technician in the fashion industry. In October 2010, inspired to make garments from his own cloth, he researched old industrial looms and taught himself to weave.

“I don’t generally think of the machines as antique, they’re just a bit old,” he said. “The basic premise of weaving has not changed much for over a century!”

Harris might play down his talents and the allure of his business concept but they certainly seem to be in demand.