John Pearse: The Subversive Tailor

Originally an apprentice at Savile Row tailors Hawes and Curtis, John Pearse dropped out, toured Europe and returned to open the boutique Granny Takes A Trip. Deemed so cool it was terrifying, Pearse pushed the boundaries of the classic Savile tradition, merging it with the contemporary psychedelic style.

Pearse favoured unusual materials, including fabrics that were more usually used for furnishing and upholstery. He also ventured into flamboyant, colourful swatches of colour with sensuous fabrics such as velvet, satin and visually exciting materials. Taking a distinctly artistic and decadent approach to tailoring with an often literary influence of ruffled shirts, he even had a quote from Oscar Wilde written above the door: “If one can’t be a work of art, one should wear a work of art.”