London, 1778.
When George Bryan Brummell made his grand entrance on 7th June, George III had been on the throne for 18 years and the British Empire stood as the world's leading power.
In sartorial circles up top, formal dress codes still reign — powdered wigs, flamboyant colours, and enough showiness to make a Versailles corridor blush.
From Eton College to the 10th Hussars, young Brummell managed to intrigue, infuriate and captivate with his sharp wit and immaculate style.
From humble beginnings, he managed to blend in with British high society—eventually gaining the friendship of the Prince Regent, soon-to-be King George IV, who adopted him as an advisor. Not so much for his political expertise or international diplomacy, mind, but for his influence on the royal wardrobe—Brummell ended up as the godfather of the modern business suit.
In the film "Beau Brummell: This Charming Man", there's a scene that perfectly captures the symbolic leap from flamboyant fashion to stripped-back elegance.
England: birthplace of the modern suit
At the dawn of the 19th century, Brummell was the undisputed arbiter of style, earning the nickname "Beau" and steering taste away from flashy opulence to something a good deal subtler – effortless, refined, but never dull.
The father of dandyism, an arbiter of taste, a stickler for etiquette, he established the suit—jacket and trousers—as the uniform of authority it still is today.
No surprise the UK — especially England — is still the mecca for anyone into classic menswear. It's where men's wardrobes, as we know them today, were born.
Fresco®: the ruler of fabrics
There's only one undisputed king in the realm of suits: Fresco®.
You know how we do things by now, we b-lined straight to the good stuff for your 4-Season Suit.
Dreamt up and patented in 1907 by Martin Sons & Co, Fresco® is a cloth woven from extra-long staple Merino fibres. Each thread is twisted before being woven in a way that produces a fabric with a unique character.
It has a matte finish and a dry touch that's very understated. Its crisp texture is crease-resistant and hangs fluidly, making it as practical as it is visually appealing.
The magic really happens in the weaving. The additional twisting of the yarns during this stage gives Fresco® its liveliness—bringing the fabric to life and adding a unique springiness. It's exactly what you want for an elegant, versatile suit—equally at home in a boardroom as it is, uncreased, on the back of a chair.
Now, add a loose weave that's properly breathable, and it's got it all. The recipe? Been a closely guarded secret for just shy of 120 years. Naturally.
A well-kept secret
Today, there's only one mill in the world allowed to weave true Fresco®. That honour belongs to Hardy Minnis, part of the Huddersfield Group (headquartered in the aptly named English town).
Naturally, Hardy Minnis is swamped with requests and cherry-picks the brands they collaborate with. Most labels that miss out on genuine Fresco® scramble to knock up substitutes, dressing them up as 'cool wool', 'fresh wool', or even 'tropical wool'. Lucky for us, we're not most brands.
Little fun fact—the British Crown guards its Fresco® fiercely and has awarded it a Royal Warrant. In short, that's a royal thumbs up for businesses that supply the Royal Family directly. Out of 593 companies honoured, only one weaves fabric: Huddersfield. Now you know.
A legendary fabric for an iconic item
The whole idea behind the 4-Season Suit? To make the only suit you'll ever need. Sharp, understated, properly cut. A two-piece designed for every occasion, and whatever the forecast throws your way.
To do it right, we needed just the right fabric, so we went straight to the source for real Fresco®.
It's simply the ultimate fabric for a genuinely versatile suit – and it's a real privilege to be able to offer you a suit made from it very soon.
Available to preorder Tuesday 16th September
Just so you know, the Fresco® wool Suit Jacket and Trousers will be available for preorder on Tuesday 16th September from 10am.
Next week, we'll take a closer look at both items, focusing less on fabric, more on the cut and finishing touches. That way, you'll be holding all the cards. Royal flush, as it happens.
In the meantime, you can sign up for the alert below and we'll let you know the moment they launch. That way, you'll be first in line to preorder and delivery. Expect that to be end of November.
In the meantime, enjoy your weekend. And if you need anything, just shout.
The Asphalte team