The Coat Route: craft, luxury, and obsession on the trail of a $50,000 coat - Tapa blanda

'[A] fascinating book with a serious message about the real costs of fast fashion.' -- Deborah Bogle Adelaide Advertiser 'evocative travelogue and eloquent tribute to the craft of tailoring - in particular a homage to the coat's creator, John Cutler - as well as a spectacular window into the rarified world in which a genuinely bespoke creation bests an uber-designer label any day.' -- Rebecca Tansley North and South '[A] lively journey ... Traditions of bespoke tailoring (and other related crafts) are skirting the edge of extinction. Noonan's delightful story makes us hope they endure.' Publishers Weekly '[A] rich, entertaining read, paying tribute to craftspeople dedicated to timeless quality in a mass-produced, fast-fashion world.' -- Daniel Herborn Sydney Morning Herald '[U]tterly beguiling account of ... the rarefied world of bespoke tailoring and centuries-old craftsmanship ... an inspiring, often sad, altogether illuminating David and Goliath story of small family businesses pitting their talents against the tide of history.' -- Bron Sibree West Australian 'A fabulous story, brilliantly told ... I couldn't have enjoyed it more.' -- Bill Bryson

In today's world of fast fashion, is there a place for a handcrafted $50,000 coat? To answer that question, Meg Noonan takes readers to the Sydney studio of John Cutler, a fourth-generation tailor; to the mountains of Peru, where villagers shear vicunas (a rare animal known for its soft fleece); to the fabulous Florence headquarters of Stefano Ricci, the world's greatest silk designer; to the esteemed French textile company Dormeuil; to the English button factory that makes products out of Indian buffalo horn; and to the workshop of the engraver who made the 18-carat gold plaque that sits inside the collar. These artisans create a rich tapestry of bespoke tailoring, which began in 17th-century London, but their dedication to their craft is about more than tradition; they believe that their way is best - for customers, for the environment, and for the workers involved. Fascinating, surprising, and entertaining, The Coat Route is a timely love song to things of lasting value in our disposable culture.