Question:
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Does anyone here have information on a tailor in Paris named Paul Portes? My new, fabulous tuxedo has a gorgeous label which just says "Paul Portes Paris," with "made in France" on another tag and I haven't found much about that shop yet. The tuxedo is so classic I find it very difficult to date but would, of course, be interested in the years this establishment existed or exists (I have one reference to it in 1928 but the tuxedo looks relatively recent). Thanks!
Answer:
Paul Portes was also one of those included in Alan Flusser's "Making the Man, " of 1981, but Flusser doesn't seem to have mentioned them in his later books. The shop address on the prestigious Rue de Rivoli listed in 1981 is the same as a recent or the current address for Agnes B, but I notice others are also listed with that address, so I don't know if Agnes B has the exact space. Naturally I'd love to know if the tailor still exists somewhere or when it closed - just to have some parameters as to how old my tuxedo must be.
Anyways, Flusser speaks glowingly of Porters' in 1981 and my wonderful tailor who is shortening the trousers says they are wool and mohair and the extremely subtle stripe pattern - only seen in very good lighting - can be called "shadow stripe."
Incidentally in the 1981 book or his 1985 book, I believe, Flusser makes the remark "black tie" can be worn either after 6 p.m. or when it is quite dark outside - whichever comes first. Hmmm....
Answer:
'81 was a long time ago. Likely out of business. Three years ago I went to Rue de Rivoli to browse in Rhodes & Brousse and found it ... gone. I wasn't looking for a tailor shop on the street, but I didn't see one either. Had I seen one, I certainly would have gone in.
