Our Story
After years in London we acquired a healthy addiction for the tailoring of Savile Row and the shirting of Jermyn Street. On our trips back to the States we were always frustrated by the lack of offerings in menswear. Big name men’s retailers created formless and baggy clothes and high fashion brands charged exorbitant prices. It seemed like there was a real need for a brand that offered great fit and superb quality; all at an attainable price.
The idea became somewhat of an obsession while at business school in Oxford, leading to some sleepless nights, some bizarre early designs and a back of the envelope business plan. But, in the end, the idea was shelved as we focused our attention on careers in finance. Then, the day after graduation, one of the world’s largest investment banks collapsed, the economy headed south and plans changed.
There was obviously a little panic, but also an opportunity. And on a day when he should have been interviewing, Paul (T) walked to Jermyn Street, approached one of London’s premier shirtmakers and told him that he wanted to learn the art of shirt making. The tailor clearly thought Paul was an insane American (perhaps still does), but agreed to meet for a beer. One pint turned into four, one meeting turned into three and eventually the tailor said yes.
For the better part of a year, nights were spent sleeping on friends' couches (forever indebted) and days learning the ins and outs of shirt making. Life went from crunching excel spreadsheets to measuring cuffs and collars. And after countless attempts, we came up with a shirt that was not only a great fit and of the highest quality, but also added some innovation to the classic men’s design.
The response to the first collection was overwhelmingly positive. And after a couple of late nights naively romanticizing entrepreneurship we pulled together our depleted finances and launched the business. In those early days, without a workspace, we would meet in the back of a pub on Ledbury Road in London’s Notting Hill. It was there where we slowly pieced together what you see today.
Growing up in Virginia and Louisiana we felt that anything we created would somehow be influenced by our roots in the Southeast. Today, we are headquartered in a renovated tobacco warehouse in Richmond, Virginia and enjoying every minute of the experience.
We hope you enjoy our work and as always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Our goal is to build a brand based on our core values of great fit and superb quality. We truly appreciate your getting involved.
- Paul and Paul, Founders
The idea became somewhat of an obsession while at business school in Oxford, leading to some sleepless nights, some bizarre early designs and a back of the envelope business plan. But, in the end, the idea was shelved as we focused our attention on careers in finance. Then, the day after graduation, one of the world’s largest investment banks collapsed, the economy headed south and plans changed.
There was obviously a little panic, but also an opportunity. And on a day when he should have been interviewing, Paul (T) walked to Jermyn Street, approached one of London’s premier shirtmakers and told him that he wanted to learn the art of shirt making. The tailor clearly thought Paul was an insane American (perhaps still does), but agreed to meet for a beer. One pint turned into four, one meeting turned into three and eventually the tailor said yes.
For the better part of a year, nights were spent sleeping on friends' couches (forever indebted) and days learning the ins and outs of shirt making. Life went from crunching excel spreadsheets to measuring cuffs and collars. And after countless attempts, we came up with a shirt that was not only a great fit and of the highest quality, but also added some innovation to the classic men’s design.
The response to the first collection was overwhelmingly positive. And after a couple of late nights naively romanticizing entrepreneurship we pulled together our depleted finances and launched the business. In those early days, without a workspace, we would meet in the back of a pub on Ledbury Road in London’s Notting Hill. It was there where we slowly pieced together what you see today.
Growing up in Virginia and Louisiana we felt that anything we created would somehow be influenced by our roots in the Southeast. Today, we are headquartered in a renovated tobacco warehouse in Richmond, Virginia and enjoying every minute of the experience.
We hope you enjoy our work and as always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Our goal is to build a brand based on our core values of great fit and superb quality. We truly appreciate your getting involved.
- Paul and Paul, Founders