Friday, 22 March 2013

Golden Shears Award Picture Reel

 
We have put together a short presentation of pictures that were taken on the night of the Golden Shears Awards.  Please note that this is not a film of the catwalk show just our interpretation of the photographs.. We hope you enjoy it!
 
 

Thursday, 21 March 2013

The Golden Shears Awards 2013

'The Oscars of the Tailoring World' returned to Merchant Taylors Hall once again and our beautiful Hall was transformed into a Catwalk Show for the Golden Shears Awards 2013.

There were 54 applications this year, and our technical judges had the hard task of choosing just 25 finalists to take part in the Finale Catwalk.  The technical judges this year included Richard Anderson (Richard Anderson), Alan Bennet (Davies & Son), Peter Day (Denman and Goddard), Joe Morgan (Chittleborough & Morgan) and Kathryn Sargent a previous winner of the Golden Shears who now runs her own business just off Savile Row. 
 
The Hall was filled with the very finest tailors of Savile Row, our 2013 sponsors - Creative Skillset, CAPITB, Savile Row Bespoke and Pollen Estate along with renowned bloggers from the Fashion World and family and friends of the 25 finalists.  As the lights dimmed and the music began, models flowed down the Catwalk showcasing the talent of our 25 Finalists.
We were very fortunate to be joined by an illustrious group of Judges this year which included Joanna Lumley OBE, Raymond Blanc OBE, Nick Hewer, Hilary Alexander and Lloyd Johnson.  We were also joined by David Gandy who presented the cheques Golden Shears, Silver Shears and Rising Star awards. 
 
 
The Golden Shears Awards 2013 proved to be Ladies year with all three prizes being snapped up by females! The Rising Star Award and a £1,000 cheque was awarded to Yan Zhang a student from Havering College and the Silver Shears Award, and a £1,500 cheque was awarded to Jennie McWalter an apprentice at Anderson and Sheppard whose outfit is now proudly displayed in their shop window. 
Yan Zhang - Rising Star Award
Jennie McWalter - Silver Shears Award
 
Finally to the Golden Shears Award, this year was won by the lovely Emily Squires an apprentice at Henry Poole & Co, whose Blue velvet frock coat and Tattersall jodhpurs wowed the Judges and the audience on the night and she was awarded the prestigious Golden Shears Award along with a £2,000 cheque, congratulations Emily!
 
Emily Squires, Golden Shears Winner, Model displaying the winning outfit
David Gandy, Emily Squires, Joanna Lumley


Hayley Mann

The Lord Mayor dines at Merchant Taylors' Hall

We were very honoured to welcome The Lord Mayor, The Lady Mayoress and Sheriff, Mr Nigel Pullman to our Livery Dinner on Monday 4 February.  The evening was a great success with 235 attendees including one of our Honorary Freemen, The Lord Stirrup and key officials from the Corporation of the City of London. 
 
Sheriff, Mr Nigel Pullman, Mr Harry Parshall, Master Dr John Sichel, The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Mr John Hall, Mrs Christopher Hall and Mr Christopher Hare
 
 
His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts entertained all the guests during dinner and we know that everyone thoroughly enjoyed listening to them!
 
 
 
 
So after a fantastic week here at the Hall we are now looking forward to Monday where we are welcoming one of South Africa's foremost pianist's Mr Ben Schoeman at our first Master's Musical Recital when he will playing on our beautiful Steinway in the Drawing Room. 
 
 
 
Hayley Mann


Thursday, 28 February 2013

Rhone Gourmet Evening

We held our third Gourmet Evening at Merchant Taylors Hall on Monday evening, where guests enjoyed tasting wines from the Rhone region.  The evening was conducted by Wine Advisor to the Company Mr David Roberts, and the Managing Director of our Catering Mr Simon Fooks.  There were 7 wines to taste throughout the evening and delicious food was prepared to complement each wine. 
 
The Master thoroughly enjoyed the evening and said that "Last night was spectacular for so many reasons, occasions of that quality need much more than just food and wine.  Your joint authority and experience as each of you spoke was self-evident; but more than that, the passion and the desire to teach was immense; and you had the audience in the cup of your hands. They were spellbound. Everybody loved it!"

Southern Rhone
Northern Rhone


 
Hayley Mann

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

The Master's Musical Recital

 

Last night at Merchant Taylors' Hall, we hosted our first Master's Musical Recital which was a great success, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended!  We were very pleased to welcome Mr Ben Schoeman, a very talented pianist, who is currently studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  Guests were entertained with wonderful musical pieces from Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Debussy and Liszt. 

 The Master had a wonderful evening and commented on the lovely atmosphere in our beautiful Drawing Room and the delicious food that our Catering team created.

 

Following the success of our first recital, we are now looking forward to our second Musical Recital, which is taking place on Monday 29th April where we will be welcoming British pianist Mr Ashley Fripp.  Ashley has given solo and concerto performances in many of the most prestigious venues throughout the UK, such as the Royal Festival Hall, as well as recent international invitations which have taken him throughout  Germany, China, the Netherlands and the USA. 

The programme of the evening will include:


J. S. Bach

French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816:

Allemande

 Courante
Sarabande
Gavotte
Bourrée
 Loure
Gigue

 
J. Brahms
Vier Klavierstücke, Op. 119

         Intermezzo in B minor

         Intermezzo in E minor
        Intermezzo in C major
        Rhapsodie in E-flat major

 
 S. Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23

 If you would like to know more about Ashley please see his website www.ashleyfripp.co.uk



 
Hayley Mann