Style pioneer turns up the heat in city

May 15 2010 by Liz Lamb, The Journal

A NEW designer clothes shop for men has opened in the region. LIZ LAMB brings you the details, along with the chance to win designer sunglasses and enjoy 20% off.

BACK in the day, when designer fashion in the North East was summed up by Geordie Jeans, three young pioneers saved the region from style oblivion with the launch of a little designer store called Van Mildert in Durham city.

The rest, as they say, is history, and now one of the multi-award-winning Van Mildert’s three original founders (the only one remaining in the massively successful VM brand), is again breaking new ground with a new designer brand for Durham city called Woven.

Newly opened at The Gates Shopping Centre on Framwellgate Bridge, Woven – the brainchild of Chris Hayes – is home to achingly hip labels like Fake London, Pretty Green by Liam Gallagher, Dunhill and Lyle & Scott, plus sharp tailoring and made-to-measure suits from the Anglo-Italian house Stefano Lucchesi.

And while Stefano Lucchesi tailors will be in-store every six weeks to measure up the region’s smartest men, the casual ranges from Hackett, Gant and Joules at the store will keep the weekends covered too.

“Durham city hasn’t had this type of store on its doorstep before,” says Chris. “Our pitch is to provide properly tailored clothing and some of the best designer labels at affordable prices.

“It will be the ideal place for those who wish to go the extra mile with their wardrobe, make their mark and dress the part.”

In addition to the likes of Hugo Boss and Aquascutum, Woven also offers collections by leading design houses including Scabal – the world-renowned Brussels-based tailoring label and supplier of fabrics for suits worn in the last two James Bond films – Savile Row’s classic shirts and other leading men’s labels including Armani.

“It’s also fantastic being able to offer Stefano Lucchesi bespoke suits here,” said Chris. “There really is nothing like a hand-made, hand- measured suit and Stefano Lucchesi uses the finest natural English fabrics, cut by hand and made in England using traditional Savile Row methods by some of the most skilled and experienced tailors in the country.

“They are incredible value at £595, and we’re proud to have Stefano Lucchesi tailors here in-store every six weeks.”

Woven is also one of the only stockists outside London of the recently relaunched Fake London – a favourite of Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williams and Madonna – and will also feature lifestyle goods, aftershave, cufflinks, shoes, ties, watches and home wares.

Chris has also been working with renowned designer names to offer limited-edition designs and items exclusive to Woven outside London. He’s sourcing designs from as far afield as Scandinavia and New York, with suppliers including John Varvatos – a favourite of Hollywood star Tom Cruise – and Dr Denim.

“We will have an eclectic mix of labels to suit all tastes and budgets,” added Chris. “Affordable fashion shouldn’t be out of reach for anyone; least of all our customers.