Monday 14 May 2012

Royal Mail Stamp Issue


The new first class stamp featuring Tommy Nutter's iconic design

On the 15th May 2012 a series of ten new first class stamps are being issued to commemorate the world of Great British fashion. The collection features some of the most influential designers to have emerged from the UK since World War II.

The stamps celebrate the work of Hardy Amies, Norman Hartnell, Granny Takes a Trip, Ossie Clark with Celia Birtwell, Jean Muir, Zandra Rhodes, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Alexandra McQueen along with the founder of Nutters of Savile Row - the late, great Tommy Nutter.

The outfits were shot by renowned Norwegian fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo and had been sourced from the archives of the designers, specialist vintage fashion stores, and in the case of the Nutter stamp, a re-creation of one of his most famous designs.

The black and white Prince of Wales checked suit with contrasting Shepherd's check braided edges, patch pockets (cut on the bias), vest and trousers was originally designed for Ringo Starr and modelled by him for an advertisement to promote Savile Row cloth merchant Holland & Sherry.

The suit was remade especially for the project by Nutters of Savile Row. The cloth was recommissioned by Holland & Sherry and the actual tailor who had crafted Ringo's outfit was given the job of reproducing the definitive Nutter design more than 35 years after making the original. 

The original suit modelled by Ringo Starr

The idea for the stamp issue came from the British Design Classics stamps of 2009, which featured Mary Quant's iconic mini skirt. This proved to be one of the most popular of the ten stamps featured in the issue, prompting the decision to dedicate an entire issue to Britain's world-class designers.