Earlier this, week Baz Luhrman’s “The Great Gatsby” opened up the 2013 Cannes film festival. We were very excited to hear that Dormeuil worked with “Gatsby” producer Catherine Martin to provide the fabric for many of the film’s Roaring 20s-style men’s suits. Although the famed and film-used Sportex (unveiled in 1922–the same year that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book takes place) is now retired, three fabrics that were in the film are currently available through Bespoke:

From left to right: Fabric #885070, from the Naturals book, is a deep navy in a summer blend of 55% cotton, 25% linen, and 20% silk; #316259, a Royal 12 Classic, is a fancy stripe in 370g 100% wool; and #307300, from the Amadeus book, is a classic, plain black, which was selected for Gatsby’s high-sheen tuxedo.

The official word is that the first two fabrics were also worn by lead players, but we’re not sure just who wore them. In fact, we’ll take 20% off a Dormeuil-cloth suit for the first person who can conclusively identify those fabrics–885070 and 316259–in the film. Which actor/character wore them? And in what scene? (Email your sleuthing to bespoke@wingtip.com)

CAT BURGLAR CHIC

It’s not all Champagne and red carpets on the Croisette. It was reported late last night that a million bucks worth of CHopard jewels had been stolen out of a Suite Novotel Cannes Centre hotel room. The thief had drilled through a hotel wall and absconded with the safe intact (Details via the Hollywood Reporter).

So, if cat burglary is your bag, we recommend leaving the suit at home and going with this classic, time-tested get-up (in cashmere):

Both the Wingtip Gentleman’s basic turtleneck and the ribbed beanie are created by Scotland’s Johnstons of Elgin.

Paul #4 will be in Bespoke from 12-5pm this Friday. Fittings from 12-3 are booked solid, but there are still available slots between 3 and 5pm.

The usual, incredible supply of Pauls’ felt hats will also be available. Contact bespoke@wingtip.com to make an appointment.

Next This week, Bespoke hosts Greg Walton’s hand-crafted tie pop-up. Mr. Walton will be creating ties from scratch, in folds ranging in number from three to seven. And featuring options like un-tipped and hand-rolled edges.

“I’m excited to wardrobe-build and work with [Bepsoke consultant] Erik Gavrilov in putting summer outfits together,” says Mr. Walton. “We can offer services at Wingtip that you don’t find in a normal department store.”

Mr. Walton embarked on his quest for the perfect neck tie about five years ago, initially gleaning the craft from the annals of internet wisdom. But “the important techniques aren’t taught online,” he says. “There’s lots of trial and error involved.” Over time Mr. Walton’s skills approached and then exceeded the demands of off-the-rack consumers. (That’s when we got interested!)

So, stop by Wednesday 3/27 through Saturday 3/30, 10am to 5:30pm to check out Mr. Walton at work. He will have ready-made summer ties ($130), including linen and seersucker (pictured), and he will have a variety of fabrics in tow–including grenadines, handkerchief linen–to inspire your custom tie requests ($140+, depending on the fabric and construction).

You’ll have to stop by Bespoke tomorrow to see all of the choices, but here are some of the details:

• Fabric choices include Zegna, Loro Piana, and Carlos Barbera
• impressive pattern matching for all of your spring windowpanes
• customizable MTM options, including choice of lining, buttons, and personalization
• two unstructured and two softly-padded models to base your jacket on

Walk-ins welcome, or schedule an appointment through bespoke@wingtip.com

“I was wearing a navy-blue suit,” recalls Alfie in the novel, “in a material called Tonik, made by Dormeuil, and I didn’t want it spoiling. I don’t care whether a bird uses Max Factor Mattfilm or Outdoor Girl from Woolworth’s, if she starts purring up against your lapel, it won’t look the better for it.”

Tonik was–and is–the fabric of choice for mods, jazz cats, and guys on-the-go who need a crisp looking suit that will drape nicely even after a 12-hour flight.

And Thursday, from 12pm to 7pm, in Bespoke, Luke Mayes and Dan Stevenson of Dormeuil are in house with their incredible collection of cloths, ready to suit any demanding occasion that your inner-Alfie can think of.

(They also selected Paul’s Hat Works’ top hat, and Jan Leslie’s angel and devil monkeys cufflinks.)

Hat: Paul’s Hat Works ”Downtown” in rabbit felt (We’re still working with the ladies at Paul’s Hat Works to get some extra-wide hat ribbon like Sinatra often donned on his headgear; let us know if you’re interested in your own wide-ribboned hat.)
Jacket: Wingtip two-button, notch lapel with grey and blue pinstripes.
Shirt: Antonio Valente French-cuffed dress shirt.
Cufflinks: Tokens and Icons Syracuse stadium seat cufflinks.
Pocket Square: Peter Millar pin dot in green.
Tie : Peter Millar “Mogador” track stripe.

Hat: Paul’s Hat Works “Trilby” in rabbit felt (currently available through Bespoke).
Jacket: Wingtip peak, grosgrain lapel, one button (covered) dinner jacket.
Pocket Square: Wingtip silk satin in silver.
Bow Tie: Wingtip satin Charvet cut.

Hat: Paul’s Hat Works “Fillmore” in rabbit felt
Jacket: Peter Millar “SB Milano”, 100% wool (please contact Bespoke for details on MTO Peter Millar apparel)
Vest: Wingtip “Dean” in smoky purple herringbone
Shirt: Antonio Valente trim-fit dress shirt in light pink.
Tie: Wingtip polka-dot in purple.
Pocket Square: Wingtip silk satin in Champagne.

(please contact Bespoke for details on all Wingtip apparel)