Mark Powell Interview
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Interview with Mark Powell By Hannah Julien Mark Powell, the 53-year old British bespoke tailor describes himself as “stylish, arrogant…and creative.” His Marshall Street shop in London’s Soho back this up. On the wall hangs a nude bust painting of the designer. A giant gold filigree framed mirror is propped up on the floor. Above the mirror hangs an image of a sharply dressed gangster, one of Powell’s many inspirations. Everything here is larger than life, including Powell himself, who I find in his showroom perched astride a red, king-sized chair at a substantial, wooden desk. Today, he wears a black check suit with a black knitted tie and slick, dress shoes. A gold chain dangles from his waist pocket and a gold tie pin is secured at his neck. As he hangs up the phone and says goodbye to his mother (yes, his mother!), he offers a friendly greeting in a booming voice. Born and raised in London’s East End, Powell, admits he has been aware of clothes since adolescence. He speaks of times on the school playground, showing off to girls and even using personal style to ward off bullies. “I discovered the power of dress at a very early age,” he says proudly. As young as twelve, Powell was going to a tailor for his own bespoke suit. The first suit he personally designed was in 1974: a short jacket inspired by a David Bowie cover. Working as a hairdresser in the West End steered him in the direction of fashion although he never believed he would have the “talent or drive” to be a fashion designer. After working in up-scale men’s’ retail boutiques, he was taught to measure and fit suits. At this point Powell realized he had talent worth pursuing. It’s clear the same driven, self-confidence has never left him. Mark Powell remains fully aware his brand’s best asset is…Mark Powell. Bringing to mind old British movie stars and traditional gentlemen, such as the Duke of Windsor, he equally encapsulates the spirit of Sixties London’s Carnaby Street at the beginning of London street style. “That combination is what I’ve always done,” he agrees. “That’s the difference between me and a lot of tailors. I’ve always mixed the tradition and heritage of Savile Row with street fashion.” He laments the sameness of contemporary fashion. “Everything is a bit, over tailored at the moment. It’s becoming a bit boring because it’s everywhere. Isn’t it?” More recently this has however helped Powell and his offer of something different, one-of-a-kind, bespoke, to expresses individual style.
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Transcript of Mark Powell Interview
Interview with Mark PowellBy Hannah Julien
Mark Powell, the 53-year old British bespoke tailor describes himself as “stylish, arrogant…and creative.”
His Marshall Street shop in London’s Soho back this up. On the wall hangs a nude bust painting of the designer. A giant gold filigree framed mirror is propped up on the floor. Above the mirror hangs an image of a sharply dressed gangster, one of Powell’s many inspirations.
Everything here is larger than life, including Powell himself, who I find in his showroom perched astride a red, king-sized chair at a substantial, wooden desk. Today, he wears a black check suit with a black knitted tie and slick, dress shoes. A gold chain dangles from his waist pocket and a gold tie pin is secured at his neck.
As he hangs up the phone and says goodbye to his mother (yes, his mother!), he offers a friendly greeting in a booming voice.
Born and raised in London’s East End, Powell, admits he has been aware of clothes since adolescence. He speaks of times on the school playground, showing off to girls and even using personal style to ward off bullies.
“I discovered the power of dress at a very early age,” he says proudly.
As young as twelve, Powell was going to a tailor for his own bespoke suit. The first suit he personally designed was in 1974: a short jacket inspired by a David Bowie cover.
Working as a hairdresser in the West End steered him in the direction of fashion although he never believed he would have the “talent or drive” to be a fashion designer. After working in up-scale men’s’ retail boutiques, he was taught to measure and fit suits. At this point Powell realized he had talent worth pursuing.
It’s clear the same driven, self-confidence has never left him.
Mark Powell remains fully aware his brand’s best asset is…Mark Powell.
Bringing to mind old British movie stars and traditional gentlemen, such as the Duke of Windsor, he equally encapsulates the spirit of Sixties London’s Carnaby Street at the beginning of London street style.
“That combination is what I’ve always done,” he agrees. “That’s the difference between me and a lot of tailors. I’ve always mixed the tradition and heritage of Savile Row with street fashion.”
He laments the sameness of contemporary fashion. “Everything is a bit, over tailored at the moment. It’s becoming a bit boring because it’s everywhere. Isn’t it?”
More recently this has however helped Powell and his offer of something different, one-of-a-kind, bespoke, to expresses individual style.
“I don’t really follow fashion. Whatever becomes fashionable, I’ll actually do the opposite,” he tells me. The majority of Powell’s ideas inevitably move into mainstream four or five years later. Balancing vintage with contemporary styling, his designs may be inspired by the 1920’s or 30’s or 40’s but they will always have a modern twist.
With bespoke tailoring being the couture of menswear, designers know real money comes from extras. New developments include moving the ready to wear side of the business online. Given his distinctive design style, there is no danger of Powell’s work getting lost in the clutter that is online.
Although nothing will ever beat getting a bespoke suit fitting from this man. Beneath that professional arrogance lurks a warm personality. As my visit draws to a close, Powell gets on his computer and shares with me some pictures from his past. Dressed to the nines, at all ages, of course.
