Danny Benjamin ran a boutique called the Carnaby Cavernin the 1960's and 1970's. Here he describes what he calls just a normal day in the tailoring department.

I remember it felt like there was a dozen of 'em. 'The Bay City Rollers' came in with their Manager, they were all talking at once; their bad little drawings on scraps of paper. I felt like a schoolteacher when I growled: 'Calm it down'. for they did!

Others might brag that they made clothes for the 'Bay CityRollers', but their first outfits came from us, and the idea of making their clothes from tartans was their own!

It was one of those mornings of utter chaos. I tried to keep the B.C.Rollers to the front of the shop, as Colinwas serving Barry Gibbs at the back. The 'Bee Gees' were playing at the Albert Hall that evening, so the shirts were really urgent!!

It was about twelve, the phone rang. (So what's new!) It was the management of the 'Miss World', which was also on T.V. live, at eight. 'We're in trouble' a very worried voicescreamed at me.. 'Aren't we all' I answered sarcastically.

But I soon got off my high horse when she explained the problem. She continued with her tale of woe. A huge steel company had made the most amazing cape ever! They had somehow knitted, shredded stainless steel, magnificent but rather heavy.

A director had one of his assistants try it on. It wasn't the weight that was the problem, the cape had torn his backand he was badly scratched. They needed a replacement cape,the show was live at eight that evening!!

So there we were -- No fabric, No design, No measurements-- and already it was after twelve. The 'Bee Gees' shirtshad to be made first. It was nearly two o'clock when the fabric and the design arrived. I got two of our alteration hands upstairs to help.

And with two of my top tailors, who were not very optimistic that the cape could be made in such a short time. A cape is one of those garments, rather like a waistcoat, that is made on the reverse, and which all looks a shapeless bundle until the very end, when the whole garment is pulled through a little hole in the lining and voila its model.

But a tailor in this day and age makes maybe three capesi n his lifetime. We had two people from the show standing over and worrying the tailors, slowing everyone down. They just got in the way!

At one stage we had needed an iron on light-weight canvas lining, the girl serving us could see no reason for serving us in front of her other customers. There's others in front of you, just as urgent I'm sure attitude.

Our assistant had to seek out management to get served quickly. But with all these problems and with the T.V. Company phoning every five minutes, it was Bedlam!!

The cape was turned at approx. six p.m. By the time the tailor had finished the basic cape, it was nearly seven.A black cab had arrived at six thirty. There was no other way out, they must go. As for the double neck clasps they must be sewn on in the cab.

So with two girls sewing away in the back of the cab, we could only wait and see. The girls told me later they had plenty of time as the cape wasn't needed until the crowning at the very end. I went home there was nothing more I could do! I watched the Show when I arrived home.

I watched when the final selection was made and the crowning glory. Our cape was fondly put over her lovely shoulders,the twin clasps to the neck, perfect.

Then I screamed at the Television... NO.NO.NO.!!!...But my T.V. has the habit of ignoring me.. The fool, the idiot who was putting the cape on her shoulders had set the top clasp to the lower clasp. Obviously it was then impossibleto do up any more.

The cape completely lost its balance. All that work. All that stress. The gorgeous Miss World gyrating around the stage, crying for joy at winning. All I could see was the untidy neck. When I spoke of this the next day, nobody else had even noticed the problem.

One last thought, when a Company tries to help out in this manner you can only lose money. I wouldn't like to think what it all cost us. But when it comes down to charging,it's impossible to charge more than the list price. Days like this must age you -- I feel exhausted just relating the day!!

Danny Benjamin, Middlesex, 2002