Fans flock to buy designer suits after Towie snaps
Heather Greenaway The Towie boys like to dress to impress and when it comes to suits, tailor Josh Forbes is the perfect fit.
Stars of hit reality series The Only Way Is Essex are shunning Savile Row in favour of Josh’s edgy store in Glasgow’s Royal Exchange Square.
Show favourites Jake Hall and Tommy Mallet are valued customers and post photos of themselves sporting the 24-year-old’s dapper des igns on social media.
One photo of Jake all tuxed up on Instagram sparked £18,000 worth of business for Josh after Towie fans clamoured to get their hands on the same suit.
Josh, who only opened his shop – Forbes On The Square – a year ago, is delighted to be on the celebr it y radar and admits it came about by chance.
He said: “I follow quite a few stars on social media and had put up a link to my website. “Then one day, out of the blue, I was randomly contacted by Jake who said he had taken a look at my suits and would love to buy one as they were so different.
“He told me what he was looking for and I took down his rough measurements. Not long after, I drove down to England and did a full fitting with him.
“Jake ended up wearing my black mohair tuxedo on the main photo shoot for the latest Towie series. Afterwards, he posted a picture on his Instagram, saying he loved the quality of the suit.
“Within a few days, I had taken orders for 20 of the £900 tuxes. It’s incredible that one post on social media could lead to £18,000 of business.
Josh, of Knightswood, Glasgow, added: “Jake’s co-star Tommy then got in touch to see if he could buy another of our designs. He too posted pictures on social media and I’ve now been contacted by another of the Towie boys. It’s great and long may it continue.
“Jake and his girlfriend Chloe Lewis are coming to our first birthday bash on April 30 in the Distrikt nightclub. Having their support is a great way to end a brilliant first year.”
Josh, who used to be an electrician, is the son of renowned Glasgow tailor Jim Forbes, 56, who has been in the fashion business for more than 30 years.
After working part-time in his dad’s bespoke store Jim Forbes Tailoring, Josh saw a gap in the market for limited edition ready-to-wear suits and jackets.
He said: “My dad has been a tailor for a long time and has dressed footballers, businessmen and VIPs for generations