A Nantwich tailor helped Emmerdale soap star Jay Kontzle look the part at a recent TV awards night!
Jo Nelson, who runs Papa’s Tailoring business at Stapeley House, suited the actor up in this snazzy red suit which matched the red carpet at the recent national soap awards.
The former Chester Barrie worker says she was introduced to Jay through mutual friends – but only had two weeks to produce his outfit!
Jo, who lives in Wybunbury, said: “I wish the introduction had been slightly earlier! Jay said he had the soap awards in two weeks’ time and would love a suit made! So we got to it.
“Jay and his wife Mimi and their kids came to the showroom for a couple of hours and we sat and designed and measured him for his suit.
“We had a great time getting him red carpet ready. Mimi already had a dress so we worked to compliment the colours of the dress and the suit. Together they looked fabulous.
“He came to pick up his suit two days before the event in Manchester.
“We went for a three piece suit. I loved the double breasted waistcoat to make it a little different.
“Jay wanted burgundy so we found a nice lightweight wool from Reda.
“We used mother of Pearl buttons to compliment Mimi’s dress.
“We used a bright pink lining and pink buttonholes again to bring the colour theme together.
“We even put a small number eight embroidered on the inside of Jay’s jacket as that’s his lucky number. Jay didn’t want to wear a tie so we did a nehru collar shirt with pink buttonholes again.
“We made him a shirt too and sourced some fabulous boots by Twisk for him to wear.
“The suit fitted him beautifully. I couldn’t get him to take it off, that’s a great sign you’ve done a good job!”
Jo, 40, has been in menswear tailoring for 20 years since starting out at Chester Barrie in Crewe after graduating from Scottish College of Textiles.
She launched her own business, Papa’s Tailoring, about a decade ago.
“It’s really made me want to push the business forward. I was thrilled when Jay needed a suit for the awards.
“I worked for various different people in the menswear industry and eventually decided to take the step and set up on my own.
“I love tailoring. I have the best job in the world.
“I love that people come through the door as strangers and leave as friends.
“There is something really special about every garment and every every clients journey is different.
“Ultimately, it’s a great fun process.
“Getting somebody in something that fits and flatters is brilliant.
“People stand taller and have more confidence when they can wear something they not only feel good in but look fantastic in too.”
Jay, who lives in Cheshire with wife and family, said: “I loved designing the suit with Jo. It was a first time experience and definitely recommend it.
“The soap awards were great. It was a shame we didn’t come out with as many awards as we wanted but we all had a fantastic time during and after the awards.
“It’s not often I get compliments, especially in my wife’s presence, but I had all sorts of good comments flying in from all directions. I felt like a superhero once the suit was on!
“I have lots to look forward to and plenty of work to do which should land me in good stead for an award in the future… which means I’m suiting up!”
