Bradford-based IK Collections goes from strength to strength

Suit specialists IK Collections, in Westgate, convinced well-known tailor Ray Lister to come out of retirement.

The shop has a history of fitting all kinds of celebrities.Star-studded customers include Chris Eubank Jr, Amir Khan, Tyson Fury, Tom Zanetti and Duncan James from Blue.

Owner Imran Khan, 38, opened the shop back in 2016, in the very premises where Mr Lister had served his loyal customers for more than half a century.

Imran cuts patterns at his workshop on Westgate, Bradford

And as the shop was becoming so busy, snappily-dressed Mr Khan made the decision to extend so every part of the service is now completed in-house.

The workshop, named ‘Ray Lister - Saville Row of the North’, sits at the back of the store and is where the magic happens.

But customers first walk past an impressive range of suits in a whole range of eye-catching fabrics and styles.

IK Collections

Mr Khan said there was a “massive demand” for the suits, both in the locality, but also from further afield with enquiries flying in from London and stateside.

“We needed more space, there was people coming and you could not move in the shop,” he said.

“It’s kicked off big time. It has made a big difference. I love seeing stuff made here. It’s just amazing. We’re different - when they [customers] come in, we show them everything.

“We use local fabrics, we use local stuff, it’s helping business grow for other people as well.”

The fabric used to make the suits comes from manufacturers like Bradford-based Barrington Fabrics and Bateman Ogden, plus Otley-based Marton Mills among others.

Mr Khan, who said he always wanted to get into the fashion industry and do “something different” has learnt tricks of the trade from Mr Lister and he says orders are stacking up.

Sofia Bortnik hard at work

“From November, all the way to March, we have appointments,” he said.

“December has kicked off, it’s massively busy, November has been busy for us.”

And he now has ambitious plans to boost the business even more in the coming years.

He said: “What I want to do in the future is get a bigger building and then slowly, slowly, build it up.

“I won’t leave from here - I think this will be more for the full workshop and the other can be a showroom.”

He has a fond spot for the Westgate premises, which he describes as “original tailoring”.

And he’s hoping his wares might be seen on the political stage after creating a special suit for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. A special ‘For the many, not the few’ message has been printed onto the suit, running down it in pinstripes.

He’s hoping to present the suit to Mr Corbyn when he next visits the area. Watch this space!