The work of Fred Nieddu, ‘Taillour’
Fred Nieddu (above) recently set up on his own under the name ‘taillour’ (an Old French term for tailor), having previously been the bespoke cutter at Timothy Everest in London.
However, chances are you will have seen Fred’s work around for a while, as he’s made pieces for friends like Aleks Cvetkovic, Tony Sylvester, Alex Natt and others, most of which have appeared online.
I recently started on a suede-jacket project with Fred, based off a jacket he originally made for The Crown (Fred has always done a lot of film work) and was then adapted as an MTO piece for the shop Beige Habilleur, in Paris.
But Fred is also a very talented cutter of suits and jackets, and I wanted to show a little bit of that first.
Fred cuts an English jacket, but with a very soft make and a natural shoulder.
The lines are sharp, but there is only a very thin shoulder pad and one layer of canvas in the body – often without demette (felt) on top.
In that respect he is similar to the direction a few English tailors have taken in recent years, such as Thom Sweeney, Whitcomb & Shaftesbury and Ben Clarke at Richard James.
The differences are that he does not offer an inset or Neapolitan shoulder (unlike TS and W&S) because he’d rather a client went to a Neapolitan for that. And his structure is always this lightweight, unlike others where it’s part of a broadening of their services (like W&S and RJ).
Fred is also more design-oriented. He studied illustration, has made various casual pieces over the years, and has to come up with new designs constantly as part of his film work. In this respect he's more similar to other tailors I've covered over the years like Davide Taub or Michael Browne.
I don’t know Fred as well as either Davide or Michael, but his creative approach is clear from his work. Pieces like the MTO jackets for Beige involve original design but also different approaches to construction, such as machining everything except the hand-sewn buttonholes.
“You often need a balance with casual pieces,” Fred says. “It's good to keep the authenticity of the originals, but you also want to make to a high level. If a customer wants hand-sewn buttonholes that’s fine, but I don’t think I would do anything else by hand.”
Fred is also working on a project for a ready-made raglan coat, based off one he made for Aleks (above). That will be RTW and sized, but made to a bespoke level. This is what Greg at No Man Walks Alone wanted (they will be selling it) but it could also have been made more simply.
My jacket started life as a piece made for The Crown when Fred was at Timothy Everest. The team made actor Ben Daniels a replica of a suede safari-style jacket worn by Lord Snowdon (above), which only appeared in one scene in the end – when he rushes past on his motorcycle.
That proved popular with Everest customers, and versions were made in brown, yellow and orange for customers. It is currently being offered RTW in green cord.
Then when Fred and Tony went to Beige Habilleur in Paris for a trunk show, they adapted a version for Beige (first image below).
This was simpler in design and more generous in cut. More French Arnys than English safari. It had a notched jacket collar, a tied belt, and larger squarer pockets. And it was made in end-of-line tweeds.
For my jacket, I've gone simpler still, returning to the brown suede of the Snowdon original (toile fitting, second image below) but removing the chest pockets entirely, as well as the bellows from the remaining hip pockets. Being in suede also necessitated removing the pleats in the back.
The result, I think, will be something that is easy and relaxed. Despite being an unusual design, I don’t think it will stand out.
We added internal ties that will make it easier to tie the belt in the back, and leave the front at least partly open. I’ll cover that in more detail when the jacket is finished.
It should be obvious that this process, too, shows Fred’s creativity. As if to emphasise this, at the end of our fitting Fred mentioned that he’s working on a new film where each character only wears one colour - so he’s currently making suits and overcoats in all green.
“A nice thing about working on my own now is that I can take on smaller pieces of work like that,” Fred says. That's because he’s now cheaper and more flexible than other teams – sometimes working in the costume department itself, alongside their tailors.
The only downside is that he can’t make large volumes, which is needed if you are costuming, for example, a lead in an action movie. That often requires dozens of the same suit, for the star and all the stunt men. “The most I’ve ever made is seven of the same thing,” says Fred, “and that was tough.”
But to return to the tailoring. For a while Fred wasn’t sure what his business would be after he left Everest. Most of his work was for film, but he didn’t want to lose the bespoke side.
“There was a moment when I was enjoying developing a bomber jacket, and I thought I’d love to just work in a factory doing pattern development,” says Fred. “But I always come back to bespoke.”
Some of the inspiration for that comes from his father, who was Italian. Fred remembers in particular his Dad coming to watch him play football. While the other fathers would all be wearing sportswear, his would be smart in yellow cords and a cashmere knit. "He was pretty flamboyant – liked having his initials on the cuffs of suits, that kind of thing.”
Fred’s taste is more understated, but there's still a love of clothes in common: “I remember in particular this brown chalk-stripe suit he had. I thought it was the loveliest thing. A dark-chocolate brown with just a faint cream stripe.”
Fred has made his father several pieces of tailoring over the years too. He made him a suit at Meyer & Mortimer (where Fred trained) but that was rather stiff: “He likes a roped shoulder, and a close waist, but the chest was too solid for him.”
Fred’s since made him two coats and a blazer in a softer make, of which his favourite is a Black Watch-like tartan.
Other things worth noting on Fred’s cutting are that he is open to almost any idea, what he calls “old-school Everest, where we are there to discuss ideas and inspiration”; and that he likens the lines of his cut to those of Sexton or Chittleborough & Morgan – just with very different shoulders.
“I can really see the appeal of that style," he says, "but personally I’d just feel too self-conscious sitting having dinner in it.”
He is also known for a patch pocket with a slanted top, and likes good shape in a jacket. "I don't like tailoring that's too shapeless or sloppy," he says. "But I do put a lot of my shape in the front and side body, so the back isn't too close."
He's also always open to working with customers’ cloth: “It makes sense, with Crescent Trading just down the road. There’s often something really nice and unusual in there.”
Fred works out of a workshop in Shoreditch, where he has recently added a showroom downstairs - since setting up on his own. You may find you know others in the area: Scott Simpson is downstairs and Charlie Borrow is just round the corner.
His prices for bespoke are £3500 for a suit, £2400 for a jacket, £2800 for an overcoat and £1100 for trousers (including VAT). Oh, and yes that jacket above is in Permanent Style tweed.
More on my jacket in a couple of weeks.
Photography: Alex Natt and Fred Nieddu
How do you contact Fred?
[email protected]
07702527752
Or Instagram….
the coat he made for Aleks was beautiful. glad to know theres a RTW version on the way.
his prices seem quite high, Graham Browne, based in the City, can do bespoke trousers for 1/3rd of that price. I believe you have experience with both, what would you say are the salient differences? Is it design/experience/handwork?
thanks
The prices aren’t high for top-end bespoke, Zo. Graham Browne and other city tailors have always offered something more functional for a much reduced price
I’m a suede fanatic so curious about the difference between this commission and the legendary blazer from Cifonelli. This looks like it will be significantly cheaper. Is it the same quality of suede?
Yes, same quality. But it won’t have quite same level of finish, and it’s not a tailored jacket, so no canvas inside, no padding etc etc
Talking about that suede Cifonnelli blazer, do you find yourself actually wearing it Simon ?
Say in 2021, how many times have you worn it ?
This jacket is a thing of beauty, but I don’t see that many occasions where I would consider wearing something like this.
See comments on this post PA. I haven’t found I’ve worn it much, largely because of that style as a blazer I think
I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished product. I think removing the chest pockets will be a good move and I’m curious to see it. I’ve stayed away from safari jackets because I think they can start to approach looking like a costume, and I’ve gone with other type of casual jackets instead. But removing the chest pockets really removes this concern, and I think this will make the jacket look much more natural in most people’s typical day-to-day environment. And every jacket looks better in suede.
Thanks Craig, pleased you think so
This is a very interesting move way from the ” British look ” But it still says formal to my eye. I don’t think it looks relaxed in the same way that Italian or even some American makers do. It’s still English and will be popular among those that are in that camp.
With just 1 layer of canvas in the front, the shape of e.g. a wallet in the inbreast pocket will be visible, no?
Fred is without any doubt one of the nicest people in the trade that I’ve met. Happy to read he has found his own way. A good read, thank you.
Not necessarily Burt. There’s a bit more risk of that, but you get that when you use a lighter material anyway, or a cut that’s closer to the chest. It’s also what other, Italian tailors already do
Thanks, pleased you liked it
Hi Simon,
Interesting as always.
Given the new piece is based a safari jacket, and therfore overshirt adjacent, I’m interested if there’s a specific reason why you’ve gone for hip pockets and none on the chest considering your previous preference for chest pockets on an overshirt? Not that there has to be one other than the desire to try something different!
In fact, between this and your Connelly suede overshirt, it feels like there’s a chest pocketed suede overshirt shaped hole in your collection! Joking aside, that would actually be an interesting set of three in terms of relative fomality and combinations, though obviously pockets aren’t the sole consideration.
Good point James.
I think it’s because for me this is a jacket, the others more shirts, and it’s having patch breast packets on a jacket that I like less
I quite like the shirt he‘s wearing. Any idea where it‘s from?
Hi Simon,
Did you get any indication on when the raglan RTW coat will be available? I have been looking for that style for a while.. Almost like the PS-Private White Donnegal coat but with a belt
Thanks
No, sorry Ignacio. Best to contact No Man Walks Alone
I really enjoyed Fred’s help when he was working at Meyer and Mortimer. What is his street address?
I assume Fred is probably happy to give that out, but I’ll leave him to do so I think – maybe drop him a message and ask
Just about to say I love the last jacket when I saw the photo and then read it was PS tweed-a light bulb moment. Really strong lapels but not overpoweringly so and balanced with the flare out from the lower button. Hope mine looks as good when it comes from my tailor next week. Would like to get a jacket from Fred in the future when travel allows.
Hi Simon, I am really excited to see the final result of the jacket. The first piece I Saw from Fred was Aleks raglan coat and since then I really liked is style. Another person I started following at the same time was Zoey Yates, someone who seems to work in partnership with Fred quite a lot. But I don’t understand exactly how it works, could you help me clarify it? Zoey as a coatmaker designs the piece and then does all the work after cutting (sewing, padding, etc)? She just designs and Fred does the rest?
And finally, do you plan on commisioning a suit or sport jacket from them in the future? I Saw Aleks green mohair and I think it is beautiful!!
It’s the same kind of relationship as most tailors would have with a coatmaker, but no Fred is doing most of the design work on pieces he sells, such as this one.
No, no current plans to get a jacket I’m afraid
Hello Simon,
I cannot applaud you enough for your consistent bravery and interest in creating something unique and challenging. The work with great artisans probably helps and catalyses this whole process.
Personally, I would love to have the courage to commission such unusual pieces, for fear of landing in you (in)famous category of rarely-worn pieces such as the suede blazer mentioned above.
Given your experience thus far and the critical mind that you have regarding your wardrobe, do you think that this jacket is going to get its fair share of use? I do hope so, as it can probably be worn quite casually, despite falling in the jacket category for you.
Am very curious to see the final product and to, hopefully get inspired by it.
Best, Laurent
Thanks Laurent. I really do think it will. I wouldn’t say I don’t make any mistakes any more, but the trend is certainly towards improvement (which is a relief!)
Hi Simon, glad that I see Fred on your web, I love his work.
Nevertheless, I have perhaps OT question – though I think we can cover this on your blog. Do you have any experiences with books or people who tells/shows how the work (bespoke) is done. I see a lot of books where the result is being discussed but can’t find anything satisfying about the process and work, e.g. how they cut, how they baste before first fitting, what is machine made – how any why, what is hand-made – how and why. Informations that you want to find out if you want to know more about the subject to better understand it. I struggle to find anything like it – perhaps some youtube videos of “How to sew suit at home” that mentioning process, but this in my opinion isn’t exactly what we should expect from bespoke by Savile row tailor.
Also, someone in the comments mentioned the some bespoke trousers can be done for the third of the price. That doesn’t seem clear to me as I believe 500GBP is minimal amount so it pays off for the tailor. What do you think about this?
Thanks for your opinion!
Hi Denis,
It is something we have covered consistently over the years, but never in a series that goes into every step. It’s more been covered in pieces on making a particular suit. See, for example, the series of nine short articles on making my Poole suit years ago, here.
Then we do pieces now and again on interesting details, such as padding and pressing here.
There was a YouTube series years ago by a young Poole cutter who went to New York, but I can’t find it now. I’m sure if a reader remembers they can provide the link.
On bespoke trousers, yes that is generally true, but if you get a trouser maker to skip some steps, use more machine work, and keep them in-house rather than paying piece work, then it can work out cheaper. It’s not Savile Row level – what used to be called a West End make – but it’s still cut bespoke.
S
Hi Simon, do these prices include cloth?
Yes
Hi Simon- any plans to feature Fred’s tailoring soon? Thanks.
Yes, we’re having something made at the moment
Where is his jewelry from (bracelet and rings)?