The smallest details make the biggest luxuries

Three pieces of perfection by Geoffrey b. Small photographed by Ryan Skelton. Model: Pauline de Bionay

I recently visited Hostem at their temporary location on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch and found myself being drawn like iron filings to a magnet to the work of Geoffrey b. Small. These are not clothes that shout for attention. They quietly whisper the sweetest nothings. They drew me in and the more I looked, they more I loved. While the flashy parades of tricksy clothes paraded around pieces of starry architecture or up and down the aisles of historic palaces leave me underwhelmed and wondering what the fuss is all about, Geoffrey b. Small's designs are a whole world of subtlety, texture and authenticity. 

The American designer has been busy since the late seventies when he started off sewing clothes for friends on a domestic sewing machine from his parents' attic in Boston. He became known for his tailoring. He's been making clothes ever since though he is now based in Italy, honing his skills in the art of tailoring with the collaboration of some of Italy's finest artisan weavers and silk makers. 

Two timeless suits by Geoffrey b. Small photographed by Ryan Skelton. Models: Jack Appleyard & Pauline de Bionay

So I was very excited to see the latest offerings by Small made exclusively for Hostem.  The fabric is all entirely hand-woven by Tessitura La Colmbina in Badoere in the northern city of Morgano - using 18th century looms that have been in the family for generations. It takes two days to make enough cloth for a suit and then Small dyes the fabrics by hand - another two days. The time and care that goes into the making of these garments makes them almost vibrate with texture and depth. This is luxury. This is something precious to treasure and aspire to. Thank you Mr Small. 

One hand-woven shirt and waistcoat by Geoffrey b. Small, photographed by Ryan Skelton, model Pauline de Bionay