SEAN CONNERY TAILOR RECREATES JAMES BOND SUIT

One of the most iconic looks in British movie history is being reborn in a joint tribute to the late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery and London tailoring.

A fully-bespoke three-piece suit based on the actor’s classic 1960s Bond look is being created by Savile Row tailoring legend John Kent – whose clients included Sir Sean.

John, of tailors Kent & Haste, also made suits for Hollywood royalty including Tony Curtis, Bing Crosby, Cary Grant and Burt Lancaster.

And he’s bringing back to life the very essence of Connery’s Bond for regular customer Brian Rose, the ex-Wall Street banker who is running to become London mayor on May 6, who commissioned the suit.

It’s made from a light grey, 11oz Worsted wool Prince of Wales check, with ice blue over check – and is based on Connery’s light grey Prince of Wales check suits worn in his six original Bond movies, from Dr No in 1962 to Diamonds Are Forever in 1971.

John, 74, who personally used to deliver suits he made for Connery to the star’s home in Spain, said: ‘The jacket features both slanted pockets with flaps, along with a ticket pocket with a flap.

‘It also has a favourite detail of mine: turn back cuffs. Sir Sean wore a single-breasted waistcoat whereas we opted for a double-breasted waistcoat for Brian so we could really express our house cut.

‘Due to the different figures, Brian’s suit has side vents due to his sway back and would not suit a centre vent like Sir Sean – Brian has slide and buckles as his waist support instead of Daks due their differing figures.

‘In addition, to pick out the check, Brian has an ice blue and Sir Sean would have had something slightly tamer.’

The grey Prince of Wales check suit was worn right up to Connery’s final official Bond movie outing in 1971 before he left to be replaced by Sir Roger Moore – and from its first appearance nine years earlier in Dr No it helped catapult both the actor and the dapper double-agent to the top of style guides worldwide.

Rose, who is also the founder of YouTube channel London Real, said: ‘John’s suits are like a second skin and I feel privileged every time I wear one.

‘But the Bond suit is particularly special – it’s a tribute to British movie-making, British fabric and British tailoring. And it looks jaw-dropping.

‘Most of all, this is a reminder of just what remarkable skills and incredible craftsmanship still exist in London. Savile Row remains world-famous and we should do everything we can to shout about it, and to support our city’s talents.’

John added: ‘Our bespoke garments require many hours of craftsmanship. First the styling details and measurements are taken before we draft the patterns from scratch, using the customer’s unique measurements and figuration.

‘Then the paper patterns are placed on the cloth and striked before being trimmed with the various layers of canvas and shoulder pads, and given to the tailors.

‘As the process is very involved, it can take around eight weeks to create a suit from start to finish. However, if someone requires their suit sooner, we can get it finished and ready to wear within a smaller of timeframe of three to four weeks by doing our utmost to get everything ready in time.’

John has been working with the same team of tailors for the past 50 years, which consists of a waistcoat-maker, trouser maker, coat maker, alteration tailors – for tweaks during the very last fittings – hand finishers and a hand presser, with each one spending years of training in their specialism.

He added: ‘When you wear a fully-bespoke suit and you walk into a room, you are already ahead of the game – our customers always comment on how great they feel.’

The suit is expected to be completed for Brian Rose next month (May).