Obituary: Eric Musgrave pays tribute to menswear industry veteran and "true gent" Douglas Hood

Many tributes have been paid to menswear veteran Douglas Hood, who died at home on 5 January aged 74.

He had been ill with an incurable lung disease for more than two years but as he chose to keep this secret from all but a few of his friends and acquaintances, the news of his death came as a shock to many who read about it on social media at the weekend.

“A wonderful, charming, man who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many, many years. We had the chance to speak together just before Christmas and whilst he told me, in his indomitable stoic, but courageous way, he did not have long, I am very saddened as to how fast his illness has taken him. A real industry man the likes of which we won't see again. Sincere condolences to his family and RIP Dougie Hood – a true gent who will be sorely missed,” said Jason Gerrard, CEO of men’s tailoring supplier Threadology and CEO of Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes.

“Such sad news. I had no idea he was ill. Dougie was my agent for menswear brand Hero in Scotland from the start in the late 1970s to the mid-1980s until he came to London. He was a major contributor to our success, not only by introducing all the best retailers in Scotland but guidance on ranges he wanted to sell. Thanks Dougie. RIP dear friend and love to Jane, Bradley and Thomas,” remarked knitwear supplier Mike Burt.

“Sorry to hear this news. I remember Dougie at Ozwald Boateng. Forever charming and courteous. My condolences to his family,” wrote Peter Williams, former CEO of Selfridges.

“I spoke to the ‘old fart’, as he called himself, not that long ago. He was really struggling to talk. I'll miss the bank of knowledge and all the stories. RIP The Hood,” said Harry Butt of Glasgow-based Quiz Clothing.

“So sad to hear this news! I was only in touch with Dougie just before Christmas. I’m going to miss his visits to our showroom each season. He loved catching up. A true menswear legend. RIP mate,” commented menswear agent Keith Brown.

Glasgow-born Hood claimed to have started in the menswear trade as a teenager although he was well-known for “enhancing” his many stories. Certainly by his early 20s he was working in Hong Kong for the Arrow shirt brand.

He is best remembered from his early days as a menswear agent in Scotland, where he began developing his vast network of contacts. One of his favourite tales was that in the 1970s he sold a George Best branded menswear collection that was produced by menswear veteran Harold Tillman and designed by a young Paul Smith. Some of that might have been true…

Having moved to London, the charming and sociable Scotsman put together a very long CV that included over many years handing sales for Ben Sherman, Dutch tailoring house Van Gils, menswear supplier Marchpole (where he looked after the Jasper Conran and the YSL brands), Savile Row names Hardy Amies, Ozwald Boateng and William Hunt, Baird / BMB, tailoring brand Without Prejudice and premium menswear brand Simon Carter.

Always immaculately dressed in shirt, tie and slick tailoring, Hood brought an old-school attitude to his work and his business relationships.

Dougie Hood (right) pictured in 2005 with the late menswear journalist David Harvey

In his later years, after giving up work apart from the odd consultancy contract, Hood kept in contact with many friends via messages on social media and texting.

His wife Jane, whom he married in 1987, was with him at the end. She said: “Dougie loved what he did. For him menswear wasn’t a job. It was just something he was enthused about.”

As well as Jane, Hood is survived by their sons Bradley and Thomas. Last summer Hood was delighted at the arrival of his first grandchild, a daughter for Bradley and his partner.

Messages of condolence can be sent to Jane and the rest of the family via Hood’s friend of 40-plus years Eric Musgrave on [email protected].

At Hood’s request, there will be only a small, private family funeral. As he told Musgrave in a recent text: “No service for me. In and out. No need for sadness. Have a good weekend and keep warm.”

Main image: Dougie Hood (left) pictured with Eric Musgrave. Courtesy of Eric Musgrave