Comments on: Frank Foster, Shirt Maker

By: Guy Davis

Guy Davis — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 08:10:40 +0000

It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of dear Frank on the 30th September. He was my uncle in law. A great great chap and very decent friend. He was working right to the end and I was one of the lucky ones who aside of owning several FF shirts was always taken with his reminiscing of past customers and some tales of the famous I can’t repeat!
He was a terribly decent generous lovely guy and I will miss him.
My thoughts of course are with Mary, his wonderful wife and family.
Rest in Peace Frank
Guy

By: David Rice

David Rice — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:43:56 +0000

The sense of the living history of Frank is conveyed wonderfully. Imagine the sights that he has seen in his long life. I should think the days sharing a flat with Norman Wisdom were very exciting.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:13:53 +0000

Great article – I love reading about artisans and their trade, especially when we get to see the person and business behind the craft. And it is interesting to note that his work is still in demand, when people could get it faster/cheaper elsewhere. I love to sew and so that part of me wanted more photos of the shirts and the button hole machine!

By: Toni Bracher

Toni Bracher — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 21:43:45 +0000

Thank you for opportunity to ready this incredible life story. There is so much – 93 years old – what a wealth of knowledge – he and his wife are still running a viable business in the centre of London. I also loved the use of the 100 year old buttonhole maker which ‘works like a dream’. It is a story of triumphing against so many odds from childhood, poverty,breakout of war and creativity and how he worked hard to make it happen. Interesting comments on some of his famous clients too.
Wishing good health to Frank and Mary Foster.

By: Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:47:11 +0000

Interesting story, have to take them some cakes , when I, m in london

By: Ros

Ros — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:37:45 +0000

loved reading this wonderful piece all over again, with Colin’s photos doing a fantastic job too. What a great character and raconteur Frank is.

By: Paul G

Paul G — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 07:48:27 +0000

Fascinating. What a memory Frank has at 93… and what memories – including his revealing insights into the manners (rudeness) of self-obsessed celebrities like Orson Welles and Tony Curtis. These are priceless recollections and thank you so much for sharing this conversation with so many others. Your blog is a gem – a diamond a day!

By: John Barrett

John Barrett — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 07:44:40 +0000

Frank is a real pro in life and is a talent for shirt making and of course design, he is priceless. Our manufacturing base is disappearing fast with production going global. Having said that the UK is good for finding niche markets with young people showing interest. London is big hub using the railway tunnels and unlikely buildings/backrooms where single and small groups get cracking, these guys are true entrepreneurs. It usually ends up with being a way of life with small mark-ups for them. These ‘trades’ have been shown many times on Spitalfields pages by GA showing gin, cheese, bag making etc. This is an exceedingly good write up by Frank he tells all, to sum this is a super blog and will be liked by us all I am sure. More of the same please. John B

By: Frances Bevan

Frances Bevan — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 07:09:45 +0000

A force to be reckoned with – Frank Foster.

By: Melvyn Brooks

Melvyn Brooks — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 05:41:49 +0000

I wish, at times like this, I lived in London so that I could visit Frank Foster to shake his hand and say “hello” and maybe listen to some of his ramblings. Till 120. Thanks
Melvyn Brooks
Karkur Israel