Westwood to design range for tailors

Ben Westwood is designing a menswear range for London suit-makers, Cad & the Dandy.

The former photographer and son of British fashion legend Dame Vivienne Westwood is translating his inimitable 'wild west' style into a menswear range for the bespoke tailors.

"We specialise in bespoke tailored suits, shirts and overcoats - but that does not mean we are too staid to indulge in a touch of trend-setting," says Ian Meiers, co-founder of Cad & the Dandy.

Choosing Westwood to share his style and creativity with Cad & the Dandy is not the first foray into unconventional style for Mr Meirs and his partner James Sleater. Last year the former bankers played host to former World Boxing Champion Chris Eubank, who designed his own striking collection for the salons.

Westwood now follows suit, as it were. His designs have already hit the headlines, when two of his avant-garde jackets were snapped up off the runway by punk-rocker Adam Ant.

Westwood says that his design inspiration is 'tribal culture, Red Indians and pirates'. Last year he wowed fashon critics with his debut at London Fashion Week.

Since then, his 'street fashion' has been stocked exclusively at the way-out Shoreditch boutique, A Child of the Jago, owned by Ben's half-brother Joe Corre (Son of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren).

Meirs says that whilst their designs are classic and chic they do have an edge. He adds: "We just love the exuberance of Ben's work - it's the perfect foil for the more formal wear we deal with in our bespoke tailoring service."