As I staggered into the coat-makers with half a dozen fittings in each hand, my bag over my shoulder and a length of cloth and lining under my arm, I recalled the words of Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

I raised my eyes to the sky, thanked the Lord for Right Guard and made a mental note to book in for an IQ test.

This month has been full-on. Absolutely Mental. It hasn’t helped that I’ve been suffering from that terrible affliction known as man-flu, but like many a chap, I’ve put on a brave face and battled on without a whimper, or, request for sympathy…sniff..

Business has been great and I’m not complaining. I’ve delivered some of my finest suits yet, real Michelsberg specials, including a stunning, very classical dinner suit in Summer Kid Mohair and Cashmere from Taylor & Lodge (as worn by Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace) and a couple of belters for the lead singer and drummer of ‘One Night Only.’

I love the contrast of the brown velvet collar and pocket jets against the electric blue Dormeuil cloth (made-up using the reverse side). It’s extravagant, louche and wonderfully decadent.

Then there’s this fella made in the finest Italian Flannel from Biella – that stripe and acid yellow lining just oozes confidence and attitude.

On top of the day job, I’ve been running the Michelsberg Debating Competition and last night was the second round.

All the big law firms of Yorkshire are involved and so far Pinsent Masons and Clarion are through to the final. Co-ordinating twenty-four young lawyers and ten barristers hasn’t been easy, but so far so good, and the final takes place this coming Monday at the Malmaison Hotel in Leeds.

Then I’ve been organising the Michelsberg Christmas drinks party which kicks off on the 8th December from 6pm. It’s to coincide with carol singers and late night shopping at the Victoria Quarter. I’ve ordered the bubbles, glasses, bar staff so all I need now are my thirsty customers and suppliers. They haven’t let me down yet 🙂

And finally, there’s been some very exciting developments in terms of our tailoring offering to customers. Since the move to the VQ, we’ve started doing bespoke shirts and so far I’ve delivered just under seventy of them. One customer, a Mr. Geoff Shepherd, likened them to “high-end business pyjamas.” I only wish I’d started selling them sooner.

But as far as our threads go, the big news is yet to come and will be revealed in my next blog. In the meantime, it’s back to my box of tissues and book on Quantum Physics. Sniff.