I have a customer called David who always bounds into my showroom with all the enthusiasm and bonhomie of a Labrador on MDMA. When asked, How’s life? He roars back, “Bloody Marvellous!” An hour in his presence and the world seems a better place. Surrounding ourselves with people who are positive, kind and generous of…
My sun-dappled dome of a forehead bears testament to what has been a wonderful Summer. Highlights for me were post-surfing pints of cider in Cornwall and bezzing around the coves of Corfu in a speedboat, with only lunch and lashings of assyrtiko white wine on the agenda. On the work front, I’ve made hay whilst…
There is something about the sound of a brass band that hits me straight in the heart. In an often cruel and selfish world, it’s a beacon of hope and kindness. Huddled together like Emperor Penguins in a tight circle on Briggate, their rousing tones soared through the clouds of skunk and vape-smoke, produced by…
Heading into the David Lloyd sauna after an exhilarating morning swim, I settled down to embrace the heat and enjoy a moment of peace and self reflection. Inhaling steamy notes of Bergamot and Eucalyptus, I closed my eyes, the gentle crackle of hot coals a nurturing beat in this oasis of tranquility. And then the…
As the sun slowly sets on 2022, I am delighted to say it has been a record year and I’ve never worked harder. Down to just two courses for lunch at Sous Le Nez, and only taking a week’s holiday every second month, it’s been brutal. But I’ve dug deep, pulled on my exquisitely tailored…
Microsoft and Netflix – sort your screensavers out! Like Jim Bowen in “Bullseye,” it’s “Look what you could have won,” as vistas of snow capped mountains, sparkling waterfalls and tropical beaches, tease and torment me, at a time when a trip to the butchers is an adventure. Believe you me, there is no Californian sunshine…
Another lockdown Monday morning rears it’s head, and to quote Morgan Freeman in ‘Shawshank Redemption,’ “time draws out like a blade.” The first two weeks of January have been productive, culminating in the launch of my new website, but with my ‘to do’ list now done, I’m in danger of being headhunted by my wife…
As family Michelsberg enters the home straight towards Christmas, this week has been an emotional roller-coaster. On Saturday, tears flowed as Daddy’s Darlings, aged 9 and 11, were told their London cousins would not be joining them for Christmas. Inconsolable, four hours later their racking sobs turned to screams of joy and jumping jubilation, as Bill Bailey lifted the…
I’m not exactly what you’d call a key demographic for Sports Direct. I’ve never run, cycled, pumped iron, or played for a team in my life, bunking off rugby and cricket at school, preferring stud poker sessions and cigarettes with my friends. The only sport I’ve done with any regularity is swimming, so when the…
Wednesday 4th November, 6am. Squirming under the duvet, I sighed deeply into my pillow with worry. The ‘tup’ sheep needed bringing down from the fells, before I could shut down my shop for ‘Lockdown Two.’ In that curious, hallucinogenic phase of sleep, where dreams become reality, James Michelsberg – Leeds tailor extraordinaire – had transmogrified…