Tailoring in the News - An Interview with P&J
- The Tailor
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
Button Stance was recently featured in Aberdeen's Press & Journal newspaper.
It’s an honour to have our story highlighted and to be recognised for the craftsmanship, care, and dedication that go into every garment we create. Opportunities like this allow us to shine a light on the values that drive the business and the Savile Row tailoring standard we proudly uphold.
The interview offered a chance to talk about our approach, our journey, and the philosophy behind the service we provide. It’s always meaningful to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come, and I’m grateful to have had the platform to do so.
Thank you for being part of this continued growth. Your support - whether through commissioning work, recommending us, or simply following our updates - every effort supports our journey.
Here is the full text which the P&J edited for publication.
How and why did you start in business?
I learned dressmaking from my Mother as a teenager, and that early experience sparked a lifelong interest in personal style. I believe appearance is worth cultivating because it speaks quietly about character — before a word is spoken, how someone carries themselves and how their clothes fit can say a great deal about who they are.
How did you get to where you are today?
Applying a University education in Mathematics to cementing wells in the desert, then a spell in contracts and procurement for two of the best companies in the World, then a change in direction to tailoring.
Who helped you?
During my oil and gas career I worked for two of the best companies in the world. I would have let myself down to change this habit. I chose the London College of Fashion, Central St. Martins and then London Academy of Bespoke and Savile Row. In particular, Albert Nelson of Dege & Skinner on 'The Row' and Victoria Townsend who's the Savile Row Cutter running the London Academy of Bespoke. Both not only helped me, they continue to advise and from once being my tutors, both are now personal friends and mentors. More recently FSB have helped me make meaningful connections with other entrepreneurs, generating new ideas for my business.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
Focus on small, consistent improvements, and act on ideas quickly — if you don’t take the first step within 72 hours, chances are you never will.
What is your biggest mistake?
I wish I had started sooner and took onboard the learnings from other business people. Taking a leap from a secure employment into an unknown, with no experience of running a business, seems mad but I enjoy the challenge.
What is your greatest achievement?
There are too many I can't pick only one. Learning to thrive and find a home in a new place, in a second language; safely and creatively solving engineering problems whilst still in oil & gas. Then, returning to my home skill, mathematics, to measure, cut cloth, assemble a suit and witness the joy on my client's face when I present them with a finished garment. They feel special when I hand them something that finally fits and suits their personality. Often, they've been searching for it for years without finding. Bespoke makes people feel like a million dollars; it's hard to describe to someone who hasn't tried it.
How are you managing the rising cost of doing business?
Bespoke suiting is a luxury product — an aspirational purchase, something like a Swiss watch. My clients understand that personal attention and hand-worked tailoring, made in Scotland using British fabrics, naturally results in a premium product. I keep a close eye on costs, order materials carefully, work with a small group of trusted suppliers, and plan pattern layouts to minimise waste, making the practice both efficient and more sustainable. I make suits to the same standards you’d find on Savile Row, so managing expectations is as important as managing costs. I turn away work rather than compromise — it’s painful, but quality must come first.
What do you still hope to achieve?
My ambition is to return Scottish bespoke tailoring to international recognition. I hope to export, secure international clients and exhibit the depth of our craft, ultimately opening a branch in a new market. By doing so, I want to help establish Made in Scotland as a mark of desirability, quality, and enduring craftsmanship.
How could the Government of Council support your ambitions?
As a bespoke tailor, my ambition is not only to make garments, but to sustain a craft that has shaped British identity for generations. Councils and government could support this by backing craft apprenticeships, offering business-rate relief for small workshops, and championing local makers as part of their economic and cultural strategy. Supporting tailoring is an investment in skills, local jobs, and place-making.
The final version can be found on the P&J website at this link:
Please share with anyone who might enjoy our story.
Thank you.
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