ALEXANDER ROBB AND CO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11714, 23 April 1900, Page 4 (Supplement)

ALEXANDER ROBB AND CO.

LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S *' TAILORS.

Experience and. training are the touchstones in most branches of trade, and in none are they more necessary than in tailoring. The ordinary man is'very particular concerning the fit and fashion'of*his wearing apparel, and the life of the tailor in sc-skinS to cut to the peculiarities of taste. fHiro° and deportment is not always a happy^one'. Vanity is not confined to one sex, and any experienced tailor could give the world some useful and amusing information on this point. The paths of those business men are-difficult, and they cannot rest long in the pleasant pastures. Of the business men in this line in Duncdm Messrs Bobb; and Co. Isold a pre-emi-nent position in superiority of trade. oxcpllence of workmanship; and variety' of recommendations. Although they have been in business for but two years and nine months tne firm have had remarkable success and now reckon amov.g their customers many of the best. dressed and highest class of men and women in the city. ]?rom four or five hands employed two" years ago they now find it necessary to engage 20. -,vhi!o the number of people who repair to then is constantly increasing. . This progressive teamre-ot the business can be explained in the simplest terms.' The chief partner, Mr Alexander.Eobb, has liad an extensive experience and training, wliich is not surpassed, if equalled, in the colony, and Dunedm residents may consider themselves fortunate that his expert cutter left the old country for the more equable climate of New Zealand. A few facts concerning the recommendations of ale Uobb will be interesting, and will show ■to -oho public his claims to their favours Born near Aberdeen. .Scotland, in 1865, Mr l\obb began his training when 13 years of age under his father, who. owned a busbicr-s at Newpitsligo, near Aberdeen. When'lß years old ho went to Aberdeen, and for three years was engaged as a iournevinai> tailor. Owing to the ill health ot his fatiier he now returned to NewpiisliFo, aivl iiad charge of tlio busine.-s for fmir'v'co r« whereupon, in .1888, lie proceeded to London, and was engaged with John Williamson and Co.. studying at1 the same time at the TiiiJors' School of Art, London. There he quickly •. took a, lirsfc-cinss diploma with special merit, and gained v, splendid cxiK-evi-e:iO2 in Jiirlies" ami gontieaicn'stsiloriu^.'nnd military dress. . Upon ieavini; ]>.)i!don he, went to Eilo:i. in Abercieniduie, and tool--thc :nai:a : rcmeiit of a business which was in a stit-to of ruin. l?ov two years he devoted ail his energies to making the connection a substantial one, and he had the satisfaction of working it up (o a healthier condition than ever it had hcen before. An impaived constitution forced' him to relinq'uisli the

ai:;i=-.-intiiicnt r.:ul to rest for a short time, icxt ho catered fur the tourists' trade near Inverness, where he gained an important connection indeed. Amout? his aristocratic clients were the Kothsehifds. Lady Dudley (wi»o wit!! her sisters was reputed to be the mwi_ beautiful woman in Great .Britain), and Lady Cureon (wife of the Viceroy of India). Ho Was thus engaged for three years, acquiring meanwhile a° thorough experience in the making of ladies' costumes and of tourists' outfits. In 1893 Mr linbb decided to come to tho An'linodes. and here he has since been usefully engaged in business pursuits, founding his present business at tho time mentioned. It was but natural, considering his magnificent credentials, that ha should be eminently successful in Duncaiu, and with his partner. Mr M. ■James Murray, he is now possessed of one of the best connections in the city. In Mr Murray the firm have a very' tisei'ul member, whose experience of the colonial conditions of the business is important. Having served his time to the drapery trade, and having in subsequent years' been connected for a. lengthy period with ladies' and gentlemen's tailoring in ail its branches, Mr Murray joined Mr liobb about a year ago 'equipped with that experience which, time alone can give. The premises utilised by Messrs Robb and C-j. sre 24 and 25 Octagon. They have ;>, fr.-i'ilaga of SQit, ar.d coiisist of'tivo floors. The outward appearance of the sales room is devoid of show 'windows,' and at once conveys the idea of superiority of trade. This is, indeed, the salient feature of tho business. Messrs Uobb and Co: make ladies' tailoring a speciality, and import all the fancy goods, silks, etc., direct from London and Glasgow. In this they possess greater facilities than most house's, owing to Mr Robb's connection with the trade in England and Scotland previous to coming to the colony. They therefore deal direct wit!i(he London and Glasgow markets, and acquire the latest materials and designs wit'mv. a, short time of their coming out"in the old country. A large number of ]>.m----eclin ladies have their costumes made by Messrs Robb and Co., and their appearance is equal to that of the best establishments in Melbourne or Sydney. Mr Robb has had eminent success in vhis department, and it is certain that as his name gets better known in this regard his trade" will still iurther expand. For genthmen the firm have a. large and well-assorted stock o[ superior tweeds, serges, etc., from which to choose. Here ?»Ir Robb is as satisfactory as with the ladies. His customers include many of the leading men of the city, who all speak highly of his high-class' work. Indeed, it. can again be stated that Dunedin is fortunate •in ssauriucj the services of so expert a tailor, and ones' who would be an acquisition to the larger cities of Melbourne and Sydney. Outside their business the partners are liked for their unostentatious manners, and also for the good nature Svhich seems to be one of their chief characteristics.