So this is pretty exciting. We've just completed on our first physical space for Permanent Style - a showroom and office on Harley Street, a couple of blocks from Oxford Circus.
The plan is that this will have two functions: an office for me, Lucas and the increasing number of freelancers we work with; and an events space where we can hold trunk shows, events, and our regular PS pop-ups.
The space is divided in two, so the events can take place without affecting the office side. And we already have three events lined up for this spring. They are:
- Assisi bespoke tailors
- Friday February 28th to Sunday March 2nd
- Opening drinks on Thursday 27th, 6-8pm (come see the clothes without the pressure of an appointment)
- The Anthology
- Saturday March 8th to Thursday March 13th
- Their regular trunk show. Details and appointments through them
- The Permanent Style pop-up
- Wednesday March 26th to Saturday March 29th
- Our regular pop-up with all PS products to try
It's a really lovely building, on the corner of Harley Street and Queen Anne Street, with bas-relief stone work on the outside and big bay windows. We have the whole of the first floor, looking out on the junction below.
Right now, we have neither carpet nor furniture. We should be up and running by the time Assisi get here, but please bear with us while we put together our new home.
We look forward to welcoming everyone soon, and to this next chapter in the life of Permanent Style.
Below: Lucas on the hunt for some furniture
Wonderful Simon and the PS team. Congratulations on the next step in your journey and Good Luck!!!
Sincerely
Thank you very much
Making a permanent bricks and mortar commitment is a brave and big step. I hope it works out for you.
Thank you
Congratulations. Great news.
Congrats, big step. I think it would be useful, though, if we could have clarity on exhibiting brands and the commercial relationship. Are you publishing lots about Assisi in part because you have recently had a commercial benefit and are either incentivised or feel obligated? I understand it is uncomfortable to be transparent, but valuable. I refer back to these posts and wonder if things are the same or have changed?
https://www.permanentstyle.com/is-this-an-advert-regulation-and-us
https://www.permanentstyle.com/2020/09/how-permanent-style-works-as-a-business.html
Hey Alfie,
Good point. We will certainly charge brands to use the space, but that’s always been the case, in that every time a brand was in one of our pop-up shops, they paid to be there. We couldn’t do either thing otherwise
Hi Simon, if I may, how has the response been like for Assisi’s upcoming visit? Would it be too early to say if they would visit again?
I know they’ve booked most of their slots, and they’d certainly be coming again, yes, as they will need to do fittings for bespoke and deliver the MTM
New Malden has a Korean population of well over 10,000 – https://londonopia.co.uk/the-korean-republic-of-new-malden/. The community has expanded in recent years. Korean supermarkets have opened recently in Kingston too. The Doubletree Hilton in Kingston, close to the station and town centre, would be a good place for Korean tailors to host trunk shows for locals.
Yes, they’re not really coming here to target Koreans though Kent – they have a lot of that market at home.
Yes but the local Korean population is growing, prospering, patriotic and proud of its culture. My guess is that a significant number of them would be very interested in meeting Korean tailors. It would crazy to waste such an obvious and potentially lucrative opportunity.
I can suggest it to them Kent, but one of the reasons they all travel so much is that even with millions of people back home, not that many are interested enough in bespoke tailoring to pay for it.
Congratulations, and best of luck with the set up. In my experience equal parts exciting and stressful…
Lucas – are those your La Botte Gardiane boots? How have they worn in over time?
Hey! Yes, they are I love them. I find them really comfortable and really like the shape.
Awesome! Congratulations and the very best to you!
Oh wonderful – next stop PS Rhinoplasty’s 🙂
Congratulations – very exciting! I was already lucky with my last trip to London and was able to come to the clutch cafe book signing. Now again I will be there for the pop-up. Looking forward to it!
Nice! Lovely to hear
Simon,
I’m sure this is a very exciting move for you and your team, every good wishes for a successful opening and this new enterprise! It’s a whole different set of pressures when you commit to your first permanent facility. I’m sure it will be a great success.
John
Simon & the team,
I wish you every success in this new location!
Location in Harley Street! One could imagine that…well…sartoria needs a little “doctoring” from time to time….just joking Simon!
Lindsay
Wow really great! Hope I can visit you guys sometime 🙂
Wish you all the best!
Congratulations, pleased for you and the team. I will be visiting for at least one of those events. Onwards and upwards.
Regards,
Congratulations. Re: Assisi bespoke tailors, doesn’t this model in a way affect your journalistic integrity? You’ve just written a mainly positive review of them and are now getting them to London for business. Hope this question is okay, just wondering 🙂
Of course Burt – see above for one reply on that. Brands have always paid to be in the pop-ups. In the case of Assisi, no I had things from them long before we thought of getting a showroom, and of course the same with the anthology. As with advertising, I’d hope it was obvious people pay to be there, but always happy to clarify
I have always looked at this from the perspective that Simon is highly knowledgeable and focussed on both the quality of design and manufacture, therefore he’s only ever going to work with brands that meet his expectations. As such, when he writes reviews, it’s hardly surprising that they tend to be positive, and readers mixing this up with a commercial relationship is misguided (to be clear I am not referring to you, rather the stick about Rubato a few readers recently gave).
Furthermore, it’s actually more useful that Simon writes about brands he recommends rather than the other way round. While Jay Rayner used to do amusing roasts of restaurants in the Observer, when I come to booking dinner, I tend to find it’s more helpful to have somewhere to go rather than knowing somewhere to avoid.
The coverage here tends to be pretty warts-and-all. I can think of lots of articles where he’s been unhappy with how things have turned out. Or parts of how things have turned out. Coverage of Assisi hasn’t been unreservedly positive either.
I think recall an earlier piece where Simon discussed this and noted that the honesty is part of what attracts makers to engage with him – his honesty means that people trust the site more. I’m not at all worried that having a pop-up space will impact on that. It’s hardly a regular source of income, and turnover will be high. Rather – I hope it will increase PS’s understanding of more aspects of the bespoke process (challenges fitting people with different body shapes to Simon’s, for example).
Exciting times!
A brave and wonderful step in your journey SImon. I look forward to seeing it soon at one of the coming events!
Dear Simon. You will need to update the London shopping guide with this new destination. Congratulations.
True! Though it won’t really be open the majority of the time
Congratulations !
I’ve followed your journey for over a decade and to see it evolve is so satisfying.
More details please.
Thank you Robin, that’s lovely. More details soon, and better pictures when there are better ones to take!
Looks like a lovely building. Congratulations and hope the space works out well for you all.
Cheers Aaron. Yes it’s really nice, beautiful and characterful
If you need any renovation or decoration work done, plastering, painting, repairs and so on, do give us a shout.
Thanks Johnny. We could do with a handyman and electrician certainly!
Congratulations and all the best to you and the team
So, working out of a classic stone building centrally in London, does that mean that you’ll be wearing more tailoring? 🙂
And congratulations on the new office space, looks great.
Ha! Maybe. It’s certainly a very dressed-up area, which is interesting. More tailoring than around Soho which we were closest to before, and perhaps even more than Mayfair. So much of the tailoring in Mayfair is worn by people working in the shops
Congrats Simon and team, that seems like a fantastic step. Hope the new space will facilitate many new connections and soon feel in harmony with all the beautiful craft you celebrate so well. Enjoy!
Cheers Tim, I really hope so too. It’s a nice excuse to look at things like homeware crafts in a different way
A permanent place for Permanent Style! Congratulations Simon! Hope to see you in the pop up this year.
Congratulations. Onwards and upwards for PS. KBO.
A big step on the journey and a nice space at the same time!
I assume the events will become much more frequent to justify the permanent space? Maybe a new tab to be added across the top for a calendar of upcoming events
Congratulations Simon, Lucas, Manish and PS Team! This is Awesome 🥳 Can’t wait to see Manish with drinks in his hands and laughter on his face, enjoying the new PS space 😉
Mr, Crompton, eyes towards the sky! This is extraordinary and you deserve every last quarter inch of your success!
Congrats on the new space!
Will the shop portion be open all the time to display and sell PS brand clothes?
No, it will just be open for pop-ups, as per normal. We don’t have the staff to be open all the time like that unfortunately
Hi Simon,
I suspect the answer is the same, but while you won’t be able to staff the space as a shop, have you considered whether you may keep some examples for PS customers to check sizing/fit?
It is I’m afraid Tim, perhaps in the future when we have more capacity, but for now we don’t have time to take appointments all the time either
Understand completely Simon. Space looks wonderful by the way.
Cheers Tim
Congratulations Simon. As a reader since the beginning I do admire the way you’ve slowly built PS up – much like the way you’ve suggested we do with our wardrobes. A UK trip for me is well overdue and hopefully the next one coincides with an event in what looks like a wonderful space.
Cheers Nick
You guys are doing what you love. There’s no higher calling. Wishing the team the best of success
next step – permanent smiles.
quick botox next door.
Great news.
Congratulations. That’s a beautiful building.
Simon and team….many congrats, are you planning on having a selection of books?
Looking forward to visiting, greetings from NYC.
Cliff
Thanks Cliff. Yes we’ll have our books there
Congratulations! I hope things go smoothly.
Wow, lovely news, Simon! Congrats to you and the team!! I hope to stop by sometime this year.
Congratulations Simon and PS team.
Curious to know what freelancers you hire and where one might submit themselves forward for work.
They’re people we tend to know already, often through friends or other menswear businesses, photographers and video people etc
A most heartfelt congratulations, Simon! To think where the site has come since it started. Those who have been reading since the beginning truly feel a part of this process. I hope to be able to make it over there to see the space.
Shame I will be traveling to London 3th of April, just a bit too late for the pop-up. Hope it will be a big success!
congrats simon! with 60 percent of your followers in the US, hoping that a new york base will be next.
A very strong move. Now I can see my Dr. about my insides and PS about my outside, within minutes of each other.
I remember years ago when you posted the “I work in an office” article and you mentioned how you often fantasize about having your own store but knew it wasn’t in the cards (may be roughly paraphrasing). Crazy to see how much PS has grown, congrats Simon!
Cheers Kelvin
Awesome!!
I’m looking forward visiting the show room next time I’m in London. May I ask you when are you going to post update for Permanent Style Shop products? I’m curious to know if there are plans for madras shirting fabric in collaboration with Original Madras Trading Company. Thank you.
That should be up in a week or two
Thanks.
Many congratulations, Simon. It is lovely to see things like this happen when so much has shut or faded in recent years and decades. See you there soon, no doubt.
Thank you Jonathan
Exciting!
Congratulations, Simon!
Hearty congratulations, Simon, Lucas and others! This is a splendid accomplishment and it heralds a new chapter in the life of PS. My very best wishes for the future.
Congrats, Simon!
For those of us based outside the UK who make trips to London occasionally, would it be possible to set up appointments to see PS merchandise in person when we visit or would we need our trips to coincide with pop ups. I’ve long wanted to buy your stuff but want to work out sizing in person, which is tough right now.
It has to be the regular pop-ups I’m afraid Grant. We don’t have the staff to take appointments all the time. Perhaps that might change in the future, it’s certainly possible now we have the space, but we’re going to make it quite limited for now
Wow, this is exciting! I am just sad I do not live in London! Congratulatiuons, Simon and team!
Wow congrats!! I hope my next visit to London coincides with a pop up!
Congratulations 👏 🙂. Wish I was somewhere nearby to visit.
Cool! It looks like a lovely space.
Can I assume that the PS website will show upcoming events?
Yes, we’ll put a section together that has those listed
I’d love to know how the economics of this are going to work. If you’re only open for pop ups, but you’re paying rent, rates and overheads the whole time, plus your cash out to prepare the space, can it work financially?
It will certainly be a big cost Jeff, but alongside some visitors helping cover the costs, we will try and use it for things like photo shoots, perhaps little talks, it will be easier to do some video perhaps. There are lots of intangibles that come from having a proper team space as well – not scattered around a hot-desking building, but being a team together every day, with our products, cloth references and everything else around us.
That’s the hope anyway, let’s see how it goes. I’ve always run PS quite conservatively, so it’s nice to invest in it a little more than in the past
I recently listened to a billionaire say: “Give a man (woman) a good roof.” Testament to having your own space to think and plan. So much room to try new things and actually consolidate all that you do.
Great news,
I will visit London April 4-6. Any hope of anything happening then?
I’m sorry, no Carl
Beautiful building. Just hoping – as somebody who buys more than his fair share – that the increased overhead isn’t going to result in a PS price increase ?
No, there’s certainly no plan there. We only put up prices of products when the costs of the product itself go up
Hi Simon, I’d be interested in trying on the PS x Anthology Polo Coat. It looks like it’s only offered through The Anthology, but it appears that their Trunkshow is for their bespoke and mtm services. Am I right that neither the PS pop-up nor the Anthology Trunkshow will have the Polo Coat for people to try?
The PS pop-up certainly won’t, but I think the Anthology bring some ready to wear to their trunk shows. It’s worth contacting them to ask
Thanks for your help.
I did ask once or twice.. to my understanding no chance to try on anything unless they decide to do another open day event in London.
Ah, sorry in that case
Been reading for around 15 years now, and have seen you go from strength to strength. This is a wonderful milestone. Congratulations
Cheers Alex
What a joy to read about your foray into bricks and mortar. The sort of news that warms the cockles. OK, you already know where to get all your desk objects, pen pots and inks! Onwards and upwards.
Yes very true!
Was recently in that area going to Anglo Italian and trunk. Excited for you and the team, congrats and good luck. Looking forward to a visit
Beautiful location Simon. Congrats on the milestone.
I do hope Lucas gets some more comfortable seating.
needs some chairs but otherwise perfect. 🙂
Simon
Congratulations on this next step. Hosting overseas shoe artisans for trunk shows and other assorted types, if the space allows, should help pay the rent. I’m sure you’ve probably thought of it, what with the trunk show diary to hand.
Regards
Lovely. Just down the road from my private clinic.
Congratulations Simon & Co! I hope to visit for an event one day…
I wish you the best for this new step. Great idea! Hope to come visit you in my next travels to London
Huge congratulations to you Simon and the PS team for reaching another milestone. Considering PS has a permanent space, would there be an opportunity to view/purchase PS products at the premise?
Thanks
Hey Rupesh – see comments above on that! At the moment we don’t have capacity to do more than the existing pop-ups, but hopefully in the future
Very great news Simon. Congratulations!
Hi Simon,
You featured an outfit on instagram with a black/blue Pendleton vintage overshirt.
Where might I find one of these myself or a modern option in the same colours with a similar pattern?
Hi Tom,
We actually have a piece planned on vintage online shops. I’m afraid it’s the charm and frustration of vintage shopping that you may not be able to find something similar though
Yes from my searches online that has been my experience so far. I’ll keep an eye out for the article.
Congratulations! Looks like a wonderful office and with plenty of natural light. Perhaps you are planning this already: could you have samples in each size for PS shirts, coats, etc. to try on for size so we can order with confidence the best fit from your online shop? Returning MTO and stock items to the UK from overseas is expensive and disappointing. I would order more, especially coats if I could get “dial in” my size while on a trip to London.
Hi Gus,
This has been brought up above in the comments, yes. We would love to offer that service all the time, but we don’t really have the capacity to take appointments outside the pop-up shops at the moment. Perhaps at some point in the future
Congratulations! Will you be providing surgery to assist with better fit?
Congratulations. This is really exciting and must be affirming, too.
Simon, lovely building. Do you know its history? Harley Street is where high-end London doctors relocated after tailors began moving into Savile Row. I suspect it was occupied by surgeons or medical specialists through the years.
I will be in London for two weeks this November; if you have an event then, I’m there!
There is some nice history on it here actually, yes
If these old walls could talk….
CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Congrats guys, this is huge
Congratulations and well done to you!
Hiya Simon,
Congratulations on the showroom. Exciting next step for PS.
I’m interested in your Donegal coat, potentially the grey herringbone or charcoal. Will you have either of these available in the showroom to try on?
I tend to be either 4 or 5 in PWVC sizing so would ideally like to try before pre-ordering.
BTW are the opening drinks this coming Thursday?
We will have those, yes, but only at the pop-ups, not every day for people to come by and see. We don’t have the capacity to be open all the time like that yet I’m afraid.
There are drinks this Thursday for the Assisi guys who are starting their trunk show, but feel free to come to see the space as well if you’re interested!
Congrats Simon, really good to see you are expanding your business.
I’m curious—will you also be sitting in the same space during the trunk show?”
During the trunk shows one of us will be here, in case anyone needs any help, but we won’t be in all the appointments. Do look in and say hello!
During the PS pop-ups obviously we will be there all the time
Hi Simon, do you know if / when the cardigan will be in the showroom?
Hey Michael,
It mentions this on the launch article for the pre-order: “Sizes from S to XL will be in the PS pop-up shop from March 26-29, presuming the stock in that size doesn’t sell out between now and then”
very sorry Simon, did try and give a proper scan and embarrassing to have missed that!
No worries
Hello Simon, as you were fitting out your showroom were you able to source a sturdy, quality hanging rail or have you used more permanent fixtures for the re-fit?
Hey Andrew,
We were able to get some great rails actually, yes. We had them made by D&A Binder. I’d certainly recommend them
Thank you Simon. I’ll check them out.