Donegal discovery

I’m on a bit of a roll - no pun intended.

After securing the very last piece of the Cashmere from the season 7b Frock Coat (see left), I have now managed to track down a piece of genuine Donegal tweed a-la the series five jacket.

The original tweed jackets worn in series five were cut from two rolls of half-width hand woven Donegal tweed from W Bills in London and sold for around £40 a metre.

Once the supply had been exhausted, the weavers tried to match the fabric, but could not source the original yarn.
Since there are only two colours in the weave it meant the finished result would have been wildly out, so no attempt has been made to recreate this fabric.

What I have found pre-dates the original weave and uses the correct colours, abet a different dyeing batch, but it is essentially exactly the same stuff.

Just like the screen used, this is half-width and hand woven - so a top quality fabric!

I have a good dozen metres, so enough to make three jackets (4 metres is needed for an average jacket up to chest 44 or so).

I am happy to sell this by the metre or as made up jackets, just like the Donegal I made a couple of years back (see right).

If you are interested in a the Donegal fabric by the metre or as a made-up bespoke jacket, please mail me at tennantcoat@me.com 
and I can send you details.

ORIGINAL 11th Doctor items on eBay

Aside from the Ray Holman presentation costume design just over a month ago, there hasn’t really been many original Eleventh Doctor era items on eBay worth talking about.

However, there is one VERY nice and unique item for sale, with proceeds going to a good cause.

I’m left thinking Journey Of Impossible Things....

Doctor Who Series 5
Production Designer’s Personal Note-Book

The personal note-book used by TRISTAN PEATFIELD, who was Production Designer on Series 5 of Doctor Who (2010), between the departure of Ed Thomas and the arrival of Michael Pickwoad.

A 14cm x 21cm black covered "Guildhall" notebook, it contains notes on a number of productions on which Tristan worked (most of which I cannot identify), including at least 13 pages dedicated to Doctor Who and in particular to the episode The Lodger.

This includes text, designs and drawings in pencil by Tristan and his colleague Peter McKinstry, the best of which is probably the original design for the "Lodger TARDIS" console and "Amy Pond, TARDIS Pilot" (see photos).

This is an absolutely unique, one-off, used on-set item, which I am selling on behalf of Tristan for the benefit of The Isabella Peatfield Memorial Fund, which raises money for children's projects in Sri Lanka. Tristan's daughter Isabella died in the country on Boxing Day 2004, the youngest British victim of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. http://www.isabellapeatfield.co.uk/

Nightmare In Silver
Hedewicks Map

This is a map of "Hedgewicks World Of Adventure" which featured in Doctor Who series 7B episode 7 "Nightmare In Silver" written by Neil Gaimen, this episode starred Matt Smith (The Doctor) Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara Oswald) Warwick Davis (Porridge) Tazmin Outhwaite (Captain Alice) this highly detailed map was used to show which areas of the theme park would be safe if there were to be a Cyberman attack, its features "Natty Longshoes Comical Castle" which is the castle Clara, Captain Alice and other members of the punishment platoon were based while Cybermen attacked.

This is a beautiful map which is highly detailed and would be perfect for any Doctor Who fan, this map also features a detailed drawing of "Spacey Zoomer Ride" which was the ride that Angie and Arty (Clara's children she was looking after) rode on.

This map beautifully illustrates every corner of the theme park and would be perfect for anyone who loves Doctor Who.

Hide and seek

The days of off-the-peg items for The Doctor’s wardrobe sadly seem long gone now.

His TopMan jeans from series five, with All Saints boots and Paul Smith shirts have been replaced with G-Star RAW jeans, but with custom-made boots, and hand-made shirts.

Since you can’t find the shirt on your local high street, finding something similar, or a fabric to use to make your own is always a challenge.

We thanks to one of my eagle-eyed readers, he has found what appears to be THE fabric used to make Matt Smith’s shirt as seen in the episode Hide.

It comes from a shop call MacCulloch and Wallis.

Located just off Oxford Street on the north side, it is not so far from the fabric shops of Soho where many of the fabrics the likes of Louise Page found to make her many costumes in the Tenth Doctor era.
In fact the orange silk trim for the Tenth Doctor’s inside overcoat pocket came from this very same shop.

MacCulloch and Wallis - Striped Shirting

SOLD OUT!

The fabric he has found - and more importantly the shop where it has been sourced - fits in very much with my own knowledge of where the costume was made.

Looking at a good publicity still of matt in costume I must say it is a pretty good darn match for the fabric used.

If it isn’t THE fabric (which I am very confident it is) then it is the BEST substitute on offer.

National Bow Tie Day!

I gather today is National Bow Tie Day - another one of those spurious days to raise awareness of whatever, which dilute the days celebrating things much more worthy.

Anyway - HAPPY NATIONAL BOW TIE!

National Bow Tie Day - Reuters

National Bow Tie Day - PR Newswire

National Bow Tie Day - Examiner.com

Celebrate National Bow Tie Day With 25 Famous Wearers

National Bow Tie Day - Yahoo! News

Bow ties are getting cooler!

A little while ago I showed you a company called Mrs Bow Tie, who carry a small range of “tribute” Doctor Who bow ties.

They are made from printed silk, and although not perfect they are very functional while we wait for a decent woven alternative.

You can see the range they have in my review here:

Bow ties are cool!

Well, a good friend of mine has found another place to get similar replica bow ties from a seller on Etsy.com, called TheDirectorsCabin.

They do a range, including Fourth, Fifth, Tenth and the Eleventh Doctors.

The No. 11 Matt Smith
Tribute Freestyle Bow

The bow tie is self-tied and comes in two widths as a “batwing” (see above) or “butterfly” (see right).
They have an adjuster at the back, so one size fits all.

They also do a range of novelty Doctor Who based bow ties, based on a mixture of abstract patterns and replica fabric such as the Tenth Doctor pin striped suit and Fourth Doctor scarf.

All Saints Layer Boots on eBay

Can’t say I’ve seen many of the original All Saints Layer Boots on eBay for a while, so I thought these worth flagging up if anyone needs a pair of size 11s!
Their price, £250, is very much on the upper limit of what I’ve seen them go for - but demand dictates I suppose.

All Saints Layer Boots

These are the boots worn by Matt Smith in Series 5 of Doctor Who, and are now the holy grail of Doctor Who cosplay.

Since going of the shelves in store they have become almost impossible to find, which has also made them more valuable.

I’d love to be wearing them myself but they are way too big for me.

Cashmere heaven

Over the past few months I have had a number of people contacting me about Matt Smith’s latest costume with the purple Cashmere Frock Coat.

Although it is a pretty standard frock coat pattern, the fabric used is somewhat expensive and exclusive, having been sourced from W Bills in London, where the Shetland Tweed was found for the series six jacket.

There was only ever one bolt of fabric, and after I managed to secure enough to make my own coat, the BBC had the remainder of the bolt on permanent reserve in case they needed to make additional copies of the coat.

Well now Matt’s replacement has been announced - and there is speculation he has actually already shot his final scenes - the need for the fabric has passed. W Bills have therefore released the fabric for sale.

Being their single biggest buyer of Doctor Who material, they have given ms first refusal on this precious supply of premium cashmere.

This really was an opportunity I could not pass up. Not only is this THE length of fabric used to make Matt’s elegant frock coat, due to availability of yarns, this will never be rewoven by the original makers, meaning this is one serious one-off.

The supply I have is enough to make two, possibly three coats - so if you are serious about wanting one made - get in touch ASAP.

I say serious, because this fabric retails for over £300 a metre, so the bulk of any commission would be made up purely of the cost of this amazing quality material.

Get in touch quick - like Matt Smith himself - it won’t be around for long!

If you are interested in a having a
Cashmere Frock Coat made, please mail me at tennantcoat@me.com 
and I can send you details.

“Original” Matt Smith costume design - on eBay!

I came across this item on eBay this week.

It’s a curious one, and I can’t vouch for it’s authenticity. The story behind it is explained in the listing’s text (below).
The item closed early - probably after a buyer made a direct offer - so we’ll never know how much it truly sold for, but here are the details as it stood.

Doctor Who Matt Smith
Costume Design

SOLD FOR £1,250

This is a super rare item from the new series of Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith. This is one of three costume designs (a giclee copy) of the 11th Doctor beautifully framed and presented, including swatches of costume material/fabric (see photos).

The BBC owns the other two versions (one is with Ray Holman, the designer, and the other is probably with Matt Smith). The designer, Ray Holman, gifted this third design to producer Tracie Simpson and on the back of the frame there is a message from him, to her (see photo).

At the time of purchase, this was the only item from the new series that had the authority of the BBC to be sold and this is extremely rare – it is the only costume design in the public domain. A picture was included in a special edition of the SFX magazine in an exclusive interview with Ray Holman.

The Buy It Now price for this item is NOW JUST £1250 (with free postage and packaging), which is excellent value considering the fantastic condition of the item (it also comes from a smoke and pet-free home), the rarity of the item (1 of 3 and the only one in the public domain), the story behind the gifting of it to Tracie Simpson as well as the fact the show celebrates its 50th Anniversary later this year!

This would make a unique addition to any Doctor Who collection, and would look great hung on a wall, in its beautifully presented frame. Furthermore, original Dr Who 'doctor' costume designs are very very rare!

TARDIS landing on my doorstep!

A friend of mine has given me a heads up today.

As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations the BBC are recording a pilot episode of an un-named tv show.

Details of sketchy, BUT it’s being recorded at BBC Elstree (the home of Eastenders) which is roughly one mile from where I live.

I got to get along - it’s right on my doorstep - besides, they are encouraging the audience to attend in costume. I can’t resist!

The classic series has some minor links to BBC Elstree.
In 1988 The Greatest Show in the Galaxy was due to be recorded at Television Centre, but an asbestos scare closed the studio due to be used. They relocated to BBC Elstree, where they erreected the tent in the car park and filmed there!

Later in 1993, for the 30th Anniversary, Dimensions in Time was shot on the Eastenders backlot set with characters crossing over between the two show. NOT a highlight of anniversary years.

Let’s hope this will be more fun!

UPDATE

I’m not one for spreading rumours, but there’s a LOT of buzz around now that this pilot show is actually a studio-based reveal of the Twelfth Doctor!

W Bill - Ray Hammett interview

As you’ve probably read in my blog, the original Tweed fabrics used to make The Eleventh Doctor’s jackets came from W Bill, a long established fabric merchant close to London’s Savile Row.

I’ve always dealt with a great chap there called Ray, who’s been with the company for well over 60 years.

Well, I’ve just come across an interview Ray gave to a blog about tailoring called PutThisOn.

It’s nothing earth shattering, and he doesn’t mention Doctor Who, but you might like to see who sold THE fabric to the BBC and see inside the company offices.

PTO Place: W. Bill from Put This On on Vimeo.

The Ultimate Crossplay

From time to time I get asked if I can make a coat or tweed jacket for girls as well as guys. It’s not something I often do, but it’s not unknown.

Well a photo has reached me this weekend of one of my tweed jackets being modelled by a very special young lady.

None other than THE Karen Gillan!

Karen is currently in America completing post-production dubbing on a new horror film called Oculus.


Written and directed by Mike Flanagan, it is a full length feature film expanded from a previous award winning short film.

Without giving too much away, the film is about a woman trying to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon.

I had made a tweed jacket for Mike a couple of years ago, so I was surprised to hear Karen attached to a project directed by one of my clients.

He suggested getting Karen to pose in the jacket at some point, and true to his word he finally snapped her in a break between dubs.

It looks like Karen’s been enjoying her time in the US, and I’m looking foreword to seeing the film when it’s released next year.

My thanks to Mike Flanagan for arranging the photo and to Karen Gillan for being such a sport and posing for me

Bow ties are cool!

I’m often asked where to get the bow ties Matt Smith wears as The Doctor.

When he started in the role a lot of his costume was shop sourced, such as the All Saints boots; TopMan jeans; Paul Smith shirt.

However, the bow ties were always hand-made and unique, so I’m afraid you can’t find the exact ones in any shops or online.

That said, the early bow ties were just burgundy or navy silk, so fairly easy to find a next-best.

All that changed with series seven, where we now have a series of patterned fabric bow ties, all of which are quite distinctive so not as easy for the casual cosplayer to match.

So where can you find a next-best version?
Well one of my readers has put me onto a website called mrsbowtie.com, who seems to have the answer!

They make a range of novelty bow ties and include a number of Matt Smith styled options.

Here’s what they offer:

Burgundy Dr Who Tribute

Chevron - Dr Who Tribute

Loop Hole - Dr Who Tribute

Thyme Lord - Dr Who Tribute

I’m giong to get a set on order and report back with what I think of them, so check back soon.

The Crimson Horror - one-off costume

This week’s episode, The Crimson Horror doesn’t seem to have any separate costume portraits of The Doctor, although there is a composite publicity still that seems to use one.

If we had this image on its own we’d have a great source of detail for the costume.

The costume mainly consists of a three-piece set comprising a slightly shortened frock coat, waistcoat and trousers.

He wears the brown brogue boots first worn in The Snowmen over Christmas.

As a substitute I thought I’d take a look back over some on-set pictures taken during filming, which show the costume off quite well.

This shot has a nice view of the back, showing the jacket to be in a frock coat style, heavily adapted.

Hide - costume portrait

Today sees the release of the promotional stills for the next episode, Hide.

This was the first episode to be filmed with Jenna-Louise Colman back in June last year, and at the time we got the first official glimpse of The Doctor’s new costume.

Now the new stills are have a much better look at this combination.

He is wearing the brown bow tie he first wore in The Rings Of Akhaten.

The shirt is new - and is in a blueish grey stripe.

The now favourite grey waistcoat is on show again, and like The Rings Of Akhaten, is without the double fob chain.

Same old G-Star RAW black jeans again, with the new purple brogue boots.

As an aside I’m not too impressed with this photo. It has been crudely cut out and I swear part of his right boot is missing - if it isn’t, it looks bloody odd!

Also released with this image is a picture of Matt in the full Tenth Doctor’s pumpkin orange space suit, though from what I can see the SB6 patches are not present and there are no scars from their removal. It appears to be a recreated costume rather than a re-ue of an existing, unless anyone can think of where this version was seen before.