Weaving a spell (From Living Northeast)

Weaving a spell

3:05pm Thursday 15th July 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

If you want a designer label not usually available outside London. why not visit Woven, a new high-end store in Durham run by entrepreneur Chris Hayes.

BACK in the days 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 is history, and now one of the multi-awardwinning 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 Framwelgate Bridge, Woven – the brainchild of Chris Hayes – is home to 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.

“This quarter of Durham city hasn’t had this type of store before,” says Chris. “Our pitch is to provide properly tailored clothing and some of the best designer labels at affordable prices. It is 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 Brusselsbased 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,” says 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 re-launched Fake London – a favourite of Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williams and Madonna – and also features lifestyle goods, aftershave, cufflinks, shoes, ties, watches and homeware.

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

“We are stocking designer jeans in premium denim for under £50, and T-shirts, polos and tops with great motifs and slogans. At the executive end, we have madeto- measure tailoring and designer off-the-peg suits, and we also offer special occasion suit hire for balls and weddings.”

Chris’s career in fashion began back in 1989 when, as a student, he took up a Saturday job at Psyche in Middlesbrough.

He launched the first Van Mildert store in Elvet Bridge, in Durham, in 1996, with two partners and enjoyed huge success, going on to help found further stores in York, Darlington, Sunderland and the Metrocentre.

“Van Mildert was the first to bring Prada, Gucci, Fendi and many more designer names to the region, and Woven is also breaking new ground,” says Chris. “Durham is small and lacks really good retail space, and I hope that Woven and some of the other new independent retailers which have recently opened at The Gates will bring more retailers to this side of town, where I believe there is real potential for growth.”

The Gates shopping centre manager, Inge Johnson, says: “Woven will be a leading designer boutique in the North-East and will be a key player in our drive to attract first-class fashion retailers to Durham City.

“Chris’s reputation as a pioneer in the fashion industry precedes him with the established and highly popular Van Mildert brand, and we look forward to seeing him achieve the same success with Woven.”

■ Woven is in The Gates, Framwelgate Bridge, Durham, DH1 4SJ, thegatesshoppingcentre.com, 0191-386-9363.