Designs of time in the Czech Republic

By CNN's Monita Rajpal

Adjust font size:

BRNO, Czech Republic (CNN) -- Welcome to Brno, a hidden jewel in the Czech Republic.

Well, so I am discovering with Gresham Blake, designer and tailor to the likes of Paul McCartney, actor Steve Coogan and DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim.

Ever since we started working on the Art of Life series, one intangible luxury item has cropped up again and again.

From designers to models to business leaders, the answer has always been the same -- the greatest luxury is time. Time for others, time for yourself, time to relax.

Known for his attention to detail, Blake is actually in Brno on business.

The factory producing his ready-to-wear lines is only a 30-minute drive away, but in Blake's world any time outside the office is a luxury even if it's just for a day.

With its traditional markets, neo-gothic structures and a 1930s home built by famed architect Mies van der Rohe, the city has the elements to recharge and inspire.

"Away from my business, the phone can't ring and I can't be hassled, so it's like suddenly being somewhere else," Blake says.

"Your mind opens up again. There is always something unusual you see or something amusing that triggers off some little spark."

At the factory outside Brno, Blake oversees his ready-to-wear collection, which debuts this year.

I quickly learn that he is a perfectionist.

Some people would say a suit is a suit, so how does Blake make the suit different and interesting?

"A suit is a suit, you're right," he tells me.

"I think people get really hung up about what a suit should be ... It's just about wearing what you want. Some people think that the suit is about the fabric, some people think the suit is about the silhouette or about the detail. Really, it's the combination of all three."

Blake learnt his craft from his mother. He has a passion for bold colors and is adding an exciting new dimension to the traditional business of British tailoring.

"You never like to limit what you believe you're going to be doing, but I think it's happened very quickly," he says about his success in the business.

"I learnt to sew when I was a kid, my mum taught me, and then, after doing school and everything I didn't really do any sewing.

"I went to university quite late in life and did a fashion degree and business. I had this need to quickly make a success of myself. I guess that drove me maybe harder than most people."

Brighton, England is the home of the Gresham Blake brand.

In 2002 he opened a store here, bringing Saville row tailoring to the heart of this seaside city.

Using only fine English and Scottish wools, he makes sure that having a suit made by him is an experience.

Never one to stop, Blake is also using his designing talents for a good cause by working with photographer David Ellis on a campaign to raise money for CLIC Sargent, a UK cancer charity.

Celebrities such as Steve Coogan are being asked to design a tie, with Blake overseeing the creation of the fabrics.

Always on the go, this has all taken place in a span of a week, but for Blake he wouldn't have it any other way.

"To work for yourself is also a luxury. It's brilliant, it's terrible, all at the same time."

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Girl: Iconic photo brought 'shame'
• Stone Age artworks discovered
• Seven skinheads guilty of killings
• Police: Mumbai suspect confesses
• Obama nominates Richardson

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)