User:Korruski/Cad and the Dandy

Cad and the Dandy is an independent tailoring firm based in London, UK with premises in the City and on Savile Row. It manufactures high quality made to measure and bespoke suits costing a fraction of the price of a Savile Row suit. The company was founded in 2008 by James Sleater and Ian Meiers, two city bankers who were both made redundant. In the first two years of business it has grown substantially, achieving a turnover of 1.3m in 2010 and increasing local and national press coverage, including being listed by the Guardian in the Couvoisier Future 500. In July 2010 the founders won the Bento Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Macworld Awards.

History
In 2008, during the early part of the financial crisis, James Sleater and Ian Meiers were both made redundant from their jobs in finance and independently began to conduct research into starting a tailoring firm. They were introduced after they both had meetings with the same fabric supplier, and they decided to go into business together. Since 2008, the firm has grown quickly, building up a network of seven self-employed tailors in the UK and 32 more in China, and conducting fittings all over the world.

Cad and the Dandy began by conducting fittings in rented office space. Later, an arrangement with Chittleborough and Morgan allowed them to take appointments on Savile Row twice a week and, in October 2009, they opened a permanent store in the City of London.

In 2010, Cad and the Dandy began an association with Chris Eubank, a former world middleweight and super middleweight boxing champion. Eubank was previously a regular customer and now designs a range of clothes exclusively for Cad and the Dandy.

Suits
Cad and the Dandy suits cost between around £300 and £1,000 and take roughly six weeks to make. Prices vary based on the cloth that is used as well as the amount of the suit that is made by hand. The fully hand-made suits require around 50 hours of stitching, include a basted fitting, and conform to all the specifications for a bespoke suit suggested by the Savile Row Bespoke Association.

All of the Cad and the Dandy suits are made from British or Italian cloth, and are constructed by tailors with Savile Row training and many years of experience. The products have received positive reviews from style commentators and bloggers, who note the high quality of cloth and tailoring, the strong customer service and the flexibility in customisation options.