LONDON — Savile Row tailor Chester Barrie is jumping back into the wholesale market under its new owners, Prominent Europe, a division of the Japanese company Itochu.
The tailor, which once dressed Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant, will unveil its latest full wholesale collection, for fall 2009, at Pitti Uomo next week.
The collection has been designed by the London-based bespoke tailor Nick Tentis, who has introduced a new block to complement the classic Chester Barrie shape, as well as a shirt and tie range.
Retail prices for the suits, which will be manufactured by the British firm Wensum, start at 750 pounds, or $1,090 at current exchange. A Chester Barrie spokesman said the focus is on premium fabrics such as super 150s, super 180s and cashmere.
Saks Fifth Avenue will offer a preview of the wholesale collection, stocking a selection of Chester Barrie items for spring.
The return to a full wholesale collection is part of a planned strategy by Prominent Europe, the garment division of Itochu, the Japanese textiles and trading conglomerate. It purchased 100 percent of Chester Barrie and its trademarks from Specialty Retail Group, a British retailer that previously operated a very small wholesale business for the label.
The spokesman added that new management had been brought in to oversee the brand’s relaunch: Will Palmer, formerly of Wolford UK, is brand director, while Simon Gash, formerly of men’s formalwear retailer Moss Bros, will sell the wholesale collection.