Countless clothing brands loudly trumpet their “ambassadors”. But few — if any — can boast actual ambassadors. Danny Lopez, by contrast, was the British Consul General in New York, AKA the UK’s biggest diplomatic cheese in the Big Apple until July 2016. Responsible for promoting the country’s economic and foreign policy interests across the pond, his duties also included entertaining the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and royals when they visited New York, plus hosting over 150 events a year for a wide variety of movers and shakers. But all the artfully arranged Ferrero Rocher in the world wouldn’t have mattered if Lopez didn’t look the part as well. “I represented Her Majesty the Queen; I represented our government; I represented our country,” he says. “If I didn’t dress well, I wasn’t doing my job.” We dropped in on Danny’s appointment with Tom Mahon for a quick chat about his work, the worst fashion faux pas he’s witnessed and what the main difference is between American and British tailoring…
JAMIE MILLAR: What was the experience like of being measured for your English Cut suit?
DANNY LOPEZ: I really enjoyed the time I spent with Tom. He made me feel comfortable from the outset, sharing his expertise on what makes a suit special, as well as giving me some great advice about what would work best for my build. He is of course extremely knowledgeable and world-class in his field, but the way he shared his art felt very relaxed. We spoke about the various fabrics and materials we could work with, and the style I was after. When I had a strong view, he let me elaborate and gave me his own viewpoint; where I needed guidance, he was happy to oblige. It felt very much like a conversation.
JM: Is the UK still renowned for suiting internationally?
DL: We have an excellent reputation for bespoke suiting in the US, and UK Trade & Investment has long supported the industry. Last year, our then ambassador, Sir Peter Westmacott, hosted an event at his residence in Washington showcasing the relationship between Savile Row and the United States. It focused on important commissions from famous statesmen and Hollywood legends, as well as customers today. For me, what was so important was that it displayed British tailoring at its best, and that decades of excellence mean that the ‘modern gentleman’ wants it too.
JM: How much involvement do you have professionally with Saville Row and the wider fashion industry?
DL: When I was Consul General, and when I worked for the Mayor of London, I collaborated closely with the British Fashion Council. Two years ago I hosted a fabulous reception at the British Residence in New York showcasing menswear during Fashion Week. It was a proud moment as many of the city’s fashion insiders joined us — and were seriously impressed by our designers.
JM: Of all the diverse people you’ve encountered in your line f work, who has most impressed you with how they dressed?
DL: Eddie Redmayne is definitely the one. I was fortunate enough to host Eddie and the team behind The Theory of Everything at the British residence in New York in October 2014. I’ve seen him a couple of times since and his taste is always impeccable, combining elegance and style seamlessly; he’s bold in his palette choice but always pulls it off. I think Eddie is a fantastic ambassador for British tailoring.
JM: What’s the worst style faux pas that you’ve witnessed?
DL: A few years ago I hosted an event in New York for high-ranking government officials and successful tech entrepreneurs. The dress code was business but, knowing they would be meeting start-up founders, the government officials tried to dress down. Let’s just say it wasn’t easy for them… especially when the entrepreneurs all wore dark suits out of respect for the government officials. I think the lesson there was: ‘Be true to yourself.’
JM: Are there any differences between British and U.S. tailoring?
DL: Americans prefer a looser fit in their suits, while of course maintaining a formal style. We Brits favour a tighter fit, softer padding, and a look that reflects the iconic Savile Row style admired across the world. Of course, I’m a little biased…
JM: What did you miss most about the UK then you lived in New York, and what did you like most about the U.S.?
DL: I missed the British sarcasm and our self-deprecating sense of humour; it was always so refreshing when I went back. When I leave the US, conversely, I will miss its energy, positivity and can-do approach. Nobody celebrates success like the Americans.
