Jamaica Patty Co’s Covent Garden location was the venue recently of a pre-Notting Hill Carnival link-up. Amid the hip and happening revellers was sartorial designer David Newell. The genteel and unassuming Newell — who was born in Birmingham, England, to Jamaican parents Imojean and Hezikiah Newell from St Elizabeth and St Catherine, respectively, and who he describes as his backbone and everlasting inspiration — has quite the story.

Firstly, Newell references himself as a sartorial designer. It’s a label earned through the mastery of translating clients’ visions into sartorial masterpieces. “This ability,” he shares, “is rooted in my rigorous training at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and Design, where the art of design brief interpretation was honed and further refined through over a decade of experience at Gieves & Hawkes of Savile Row by thousands of tailoring consultations crafting garments to enhance all body types.”

His eye for detail might very well be deemed hereditary. His parents, like so many others of the Windrush generation, who answered the call to help rebuild England post-war, also delivered a master class in sartorial dress. The men stepped off the boat impeccably dressed in suits, while the ladies wore hats, gloves and equally fab ensembles.

Newell moved to London for school, where he lived with his brother Glasford. “I studied International Product Design at Central Saint Martins for four years,” he expounds. His next stop would be as a sound engineer before being promoted to music producer for Jazzie B studio. Newell, who had honed his DJ skills at the well-respected car park parties at Saint Martin’s, was recording engineer on the highly successful 1999 Pepper Records single Sweet Like Chocolate. The economic recession of the early 2000 shuttered any further ambitions he had of pursuing a full-time career in music.

The high-pressure Gieves & Hawkes flagship concession store in Selfridges was his next stop, where he worked for almost a decade, running the most profitable business per square foot in the company.

Always at the back of his mind was the desire to establish his own business. “I was designing accessories for celebrated Japanese designer Michiko Koshino way before I started sartorial design,” says Newell. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the institute of Savile Row, as I have learnt from the best and now have my own vision from looking through centuries of sartorial tradition. My values are all based around quality and comfort. I won’t compromise either for fashion.”

Newell’s wish would be granted in 2015 with the birth of Newell Sartorial, a luxury tailoring and styling company complete with bespoke eyewear.

“I yearned to create an understated style; a quietly confident look with a bout of insolence,” he tells SO. Enter the late Italian tailor Raffaele Candilio. “He afforded me a room at his establishment and was a great influence on my appreciation of Italian tailoring… He would show me how they worked back in Napoli and how jackets, in particular, are constructed versus here in the UK. We’d have many heated debates as to which method was best.”

While Candilio preferred the softer Italian chic style, Newell’s affinity was to the more contemporary and structured British look. Let’s just say that Candilio’s soft tailoring influence has, since their numerous debates, become Newell’s signature design aesthetic.

Since its inception, Newell Sartorial has focused on designing and producing high-end uniforms that make its wearers feel confident and empowered to carry out their roles throughout the day while communicating the brand’s identity and prestige through clothing.

With an emphasis on fit and durability, Newell Sartorial also ensures the garments are tailored to be wearable. Newell’s mission is to ensure clients respond with “Yes!” when asked, “Does your suit speak for you?”

Newell Sartorial Limited has for years been developing and supplying bespoke uniforms to some of the greatest luxury establishments in Mayfair, London, throughout the UK, and internationally, with the support of the latest technology and supply chain partners worldwide.

His roster of clients includes Hollywood actor and singer Jamie Foxx, Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Australian actor Adam Garcia, British-American TV personality Callum Best, English actor and comedian Kayvan Novak, and English television presenter Nick Hewer.

Newell has fitted uniforms for The Whiteley London complex; The Ivy Asia and its sister brand Harry’s Dolce Vita; Annabel’s; and Sexy Fish, Miami and London.

The Rock-blooded designer operated Newell Bespoke from a small studio space on Dean Street which he shared with Candilio up until his death. He has since relocated to Drury Lane, Covent Garden.

There are plans for global expansion which includes the Caribbean. His question will remain the same: “Does your suit speak for you?” His vision is to make everyone answer yes!

Newell Sartorial Limited

1st Floor

186 Drury Lane

London WC2B5QD

E-mail: uniform@newellsartorial.com

Telephone: +44 (0)207 504 5000

Website: www.newellbespoke.com

LinkedIn: Newell-Sartorial-limited

Instagram: Newell_Sartorial