Chuc’s aims to make very functional and stylish clothes for the mountain and the beach. These are broadly inspired by Charles’s grandfather, George Finch (above), who was an innovative chemist and exceptional mountaineer, and Peter Finch, the Oscar-winning actor and Caribbean socialite.
Each had been impressive men they offer excellent PR stories for Chuc’s. George climbed Everest with Mallory in 1922 and invented the down-filled jacket. Peter hung out with Errol Flynn, Ian Fleming and Noel Coward and formed an elegant, sun-soaked clique.
But their stories never ever appear like PR when you talk to Charles. He talks with passion of his grandfather’s contemporaries, for example, whom he describes as gentlemen explorers, guys of taste who searched for the really finest in what they consumed and in their individual pursuits. They had been independently wealthy, sportsmen and travellers, characters and bon vivants.
So how on earth is this all reflected in the clothes? Nicely some pieces take direct inspiration – the safari shirt usually pictured on Peter Finch, for example, as nicely as safari shorts and jackets. Others are an attempt to produce similarly well-cut contemporary versions of swim shorts or mountain shorts. But throughout there is an intelligent approach to cut and a genuine interest in top quality.
The chinos, for instance, are cut high in the back to fit a lot far better on the waist than most contemporary trousers, and have strap-and-buckle side adjustors. The cut of the shorts is comparable and whilst swimming shorts are definitely that, and not designed for walking about town, they feature side adjustors and a quick-drying fabric too.
I’m also a fan of the knitwear, both lightweight and heavy gauge, but perhaps far more of that in one more post. In the meantime, this is just a note to say it’s worth popping into the little shop on Dover Street and having a nose about.
