The Gentleman Magazine Issue 2 | April/May 2017 | Page 90

Countryside Staples In London London-dwelling but with an enthusiasm for outdoors pursuits, Kate Fensterstock discovers why Mayfair is the destination for countryside kit. In order to keep providing exemplary service, we extended our offering to clothing and accessories to effectively build a William Evans lifestyle brand.” Often described as a bohemian playground, a wartime stronghold and thriving financial mecca, Mayfair is a hallowed scroll of creators, innovators and tastemakers. Standing the test of time, this neighborhood continues to nurture an industry of craft, heritage and traditional businesses that boast an offering of leading outdoors apparel and accessories. A pillar of British history and culture, the countryside finds its market in Mayfair. A stroll along St. James leads to William Evans, who has held onto its premises in this area since its inception in 1883, now residing at their Pall Mall location after the bombing of 1943. When asked how the brand maintains its devotion to country pursuits 134 years later, the answer is simple. The mahogany paneling on the ground floor of this shop is lined with the finest country tweeds, canvas cartridge bags, and spectacular brimmed hats with dramatic feathers placed at a strategic angle. Such treasures come from the namesake brand as well as leading companies such as Schoeffel, Harkila, Laksen, and lifestyle brands like Beaufort and Blake, Chapman Bags and Fairfax and Favor. “As a business we want to provide our clients with the strongest examples of clothing and accessories on the market. This means buying into other brands that offer something special in their own unique way,” explains Retail Manager Vanessa Scaccia. “We also want to give smaller, younger brands a voice in London and look after the next generation in our industry.” “We are still providing a very similar product and service compared to what we were providing all those years ago,” explains London General Manager Alastair Philips. “Minor things like legislation and shopfront layout and operations have changed, but all of our guns are built in a very similar way to the way they were built in the past. Weaving through Jermyn Street, the next destination is no doubt Orvis, an American lifestyle brand established in 1856 with significant roots in fly fishing. Their London flagship has been on Lower Regent Street since 2014, and the shop front is a sweeping space of more canvas jackets, flannel shirts 90 | The Gentleman Magazine