Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In an age of globalization with fashion trends that change by the day, thequality and workmanship of the great British luxury brands endure andflourish like never before. Valued for their craftsmanship, superlativequality, exclusivity, and the status they confer on their owners, these"heritage houses" have been synonymous with the finest productionfor hundreds of years.This lavish publication celebrates the gentleman's search for theperfect sartorial detail or the ideal accessory. It features six historicalchapters, from the Regency period to the present, each of which presentsclassic British marques, including shoemakers, jewelers, shirt andtie makers, cloth makers, perfumers, hatters, and vintners. The finalchapter showcases the new generation of designer-artisans who areredefining notions of quality and handwork in the era of globalizationand digital technologies. A reference section presents the Londongentleman's social world, from the shopping arcade (Burlington) tohotels (The Savoy) and the member's clubs and antiquarians in between.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Author/broadcaster/curator Sherwood here offers an impressive companion to his earlier Bespoke (CH, Jun'11, 48-5485). It details being a gentleman from the time of the English Restoration to the present. Six chapters; an epilogue; a London point-of-interest section devoted to shopping/lodging/dining; an address book; and a bibliography all make this an outstanding volume. Adding a stylish touch is an introduction by 1960s film and sartorial icon Terence Stamp. Most noteworthy are the hundreds of lavish, historic, vintage, and modern photographs and illustrations, some by noted British photographers Andy Barnham and Guy Hills. Subjects range from Charles II, Prince Albert, and the Duke of Windsor to Prince Harry--with Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Douglas Fairbanks, and countless gentlemen in between. This well-organized social history, filled with anecdotes describing what defines a gentleman--clothes, clubs, accessories, affiliations, and shopping establishments--is elegant and lavish, and has both substance and style. Anyone who spends even a few minutes perusing this volume will soon understand the fallacy of the notion that printed books are obsolete. Glossy and informative, with opinions and a point of view, this volume will be a wonderful addition to any collection. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers. A. J. Dutka Broward College