FOLLOWING a successful London launch at the beginning of September last year, new online initiative ShirtSmart has now officially launched locally.

Bespoke online tailoring service ShirtSmart was launched by Tom Wharton of Barrington Ayre Shirtmaker and Tailor in Cirencester. The idea has taken off across the UK only a few months after it started and has even been invested in by cricketer Michael Vaughan and footballer Robbie Savage.

Almost 150 people attended the London launch in September but more recently, Tom threw another party a little closer to home.

Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen was one of the many guests at the Cirencester-based event in December, held at Corn Hall restaurant Made By Bob’s. Guests enjoyed food prepared by chef Bob Parkinson and cocktails made by local producer Black Moth Vodka.

“We’re based in Cirencester and a lot of people here support us. So we wanted to show our support to them as well,” said Tom. “ShirtSmart is going well. We’re still playing around with the website and getting comments and ideas on how to develop it.”

ShirtSmart is an online shopping site allowing customers to create and design their own shirt, from colour and material to detailing like collars and cuffs. Tom said it takes away the hassle of being tailored as he thinks many people just don’t have the time anymore.

Barrington Ayre has been operating from the Market Place in Cirencester for almost five years but ShirtSmart has only been running for several months. A pop-up tailor shop is next on Tom's list of ideas as he plans to take his tailoring service to businesses and shopping centres across the South West, starting at the end of January.

For more information on ShirtSmart or to arrange a fitting with Barrington Ayre call 01285 689431.