MAYOR SUITED AND BOOTED BY NEWHAM COLLEGE STUDENTS

BESPOKE tailoring students from Newham College of Further Education have shown their tailoring skills and flair for fashion by designing a suit for Mayor Sir Robin Wales.

Ten students on the college’s NVQ Tailoring course designed the made-to-measure garment as part of their studies.

The navy suit, made from material from Scabal of Savile Row, is the first complete suit the students have ever made. The project gave the group the chance to put the tailoring skills they have learned on their course into practice.

(The Mayor and Jo Baker - Savile Row Tailor and Newham College Tailoring tutor discussing materials for the suit)

The team took around three months to measure and fit the Mayor with his bespoke suit and were led by tutor Jo Baker, a trained Savile Row tailor.

The Mayor is the first person to buy a suit from students on the course. It is hoped their tailoring services will be rolled out to other members of Newham Council staff in the future.

(The Mayor getting a second fitting by Jo Baker)

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “I am very pleased with it – the quality is excellent and the students worked very hard to make sure it was just what I wanted.

“We want all the young people living in the borough to achieve their full potential. These students handled this project in a very professional way and they have very promising careers ahead of them.”

Chris Hall, Head of Tailoring at the college, added: “Newham College has worked in partnership with Savile Row companies to develop bespoke tailoring courses. It’s a real pleasure to see young people develop the skills they need for employment, and I am proud of their fantastic achievement.”

(The Mayor wearing the final suit alongside Chris Hall - Head of Tailoring and Di Gowland - Director of CIPs)