HIS work was modelled on catwalks across the world and he owned design studios in London and New York.

Now after 50 years in the fashion industry, tailor Ken Williams, 65, continues to make suits from his Abergavenny home.

Mr Williams' KW label sold in Harrods, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue after learning his trade in Newport. Now he work is from his garden shed; taking private orders for his bespoke suits.

During the 70s and 80s, Mr Williams worked alongside Jeff Banks, the recognised leader of Britain's fashion industry and the pair made clothes for pop stars.

"It was a very exciting and heady time. We supplied Kings Road, which was much more upmarket than Carnaby Street, and we watched Top of the Pops just to see who was wearing our clothes. When we showed in New York, we were taken up by Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, which was amazing in such a short space of time.

Mr Williams said good quality design mixed with style and flair had all the movers and shakers chasing the Ken Williams brand.

Mr Williams trained at Loterys Limited, a military clothing manufacturer in Newport where he undertook a seven year apprenticeship.

He began by sweeping floors and carrying materials in the 400 person factory but quickly progressed.

“I didn’t particularly want the job, in those days you took what you could get. But after a few weeks I started to understand the processes and how you transform a roll of cloth into something that elevated a man to a different status and I decided then that I wanted to be the best tailor I possibly could be.”

In 1963, aged 15 he got a day-release training at Pontypridd College to learn his craft.

At the end of his training Ken was officially a tailor, and by the time he was 27, he was factory manager.

“During this time, people would come to the factory with drawings or samples and ask if we could make a garment and I would make up a prototype. This was the start of my interest in design.

“I wasn’t trained as a designer but I could see what was happening in fashion and just gave it my own twist."

This was Mr Williams' big break. Military fashion was in and the Newport man branched out on his own.

After measuring, cutting and sewing his designs, his business started with a show at Olympia, then New York and when interest started to really snowball, a showroom was opened in Covent Garden.

He was soon getting calls on both sides of the Atlantic and the former Hatherleigh School student found himself working between London, New York and Los Angeles.

There followed hectic years with demands by agents, worldwide shows and endless designs keeping Mr Williams busy until 1987, when he decided to seek a quieter life.

He sold the label and moved to Abergavenny, where he now makes handmade items for those who appreciate them.