How Ralph Fitzgerald Became the Tailor to Movie Stars, Financial Executives and Marc Jacobs.

The New York Times•January 5, 2026•entertainment

Key Points:

Ralph Fitzgerald began his career as a 16-year-old apprentice at Douglas Hayward, a renowned London tailor, learning the craft of bespoke suit making.
During his apprenticeship, Fitzgerald had encounters with notable figures such as Roger Moore and photographer Terry O’Neill, gaining unique insights into British style and culture.
Douglas Hayward, the tailor who inspired Michael Caine’s character in "Alfie," passed away just before Fitzgerald completed his apprenticeship, marking the end of an era.
Fitzgerald reflects fondly on a time when owning a bespoke suit was a significant milestone for men, symbolizing a certain British suaveness that has since faded.
After Douglas Hayward closed in 2014, Fitzgerald preserved the paper