The Contour of Luxury Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 60
Alexis Day
Bespoke tailoring at Mark Powell is extended to both
men and women. What do you think it is about your
tailoring style that attracts women to your brand?
Mark Powell
Well, that is a good question, but I think the whole
thing again…because when I do tailoring for women,
I do get that whole feeling, that whole androgyny
thing just right, because I think a woman wants to feel
empowered and look elegant in a masculine inspired
tailored suit equally without being cliché. She wants
to look feminine and sexy, and I think that I manage
to keep that whole thing going, I mean with some of
the clients that that I’ve done like Naomi Campbell,
Bianca Jagger, Keira Knightly, people like that. You
know it’s always still very much a men’s suit, but it’s
done to look great on a woman as well. It makes them
look very embowered, and also very feminine and
sexy. I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve always done
quite well. And also, a lot of male tailors, you know
people that are known more for their men’s tailoring
are more if you like, not scared, but they don’t really
get the whole women’s thing right. You know, there’s a
lot to consider with the woman’s suit. The way you cut
the shoulder and, of course, women’s figures , even if
they’ve got great figures, they are very, very different
and diverse. They are different. Men’s standard figure,
you know, if they’re relatively slim or normal sizes are
very consistent, but obviously women are sometimes
smaller in the waist, bigger on the hip, bigger on the
bust, fuller or bigger on the back, and then maybe not
as full on the bust, things like that. It’s very diverse,
very. And I’ve always been very comfortable with that,
just knowing how to make that look best for the lady
really.