March 20, 2006

savile row in the times...

[Fred Eltham, one of the best tailors on the Row, without question.]

From The Times (of London): "Tailors find an ally in fight to hold high street at bay."

Bespoke tailors in cluttered workshops on this famous London street have been handsewing suits for royals, statesmen, film stars and men of distinction and style for almost two centuries.

But the existence of Savile Row’s tailors has been threatened by a 50 per cent rent rise in the past ten years, fuelled by the desire of upmarket clothes stores to cash in on the street’s reputation.

The Times has learnt, however, that planners at Westminster City Council are planning to act to save Savile Row from the curse of chain-store uniformity that threatens to blight every high street in Britain.

In a report to be published today, the council outlines how it will block attempts to turn the workshops into retail outlets.

[...]

“If ever there was a street that deserved an award for exporting then it’s Savile Row,” said Thomas Mahon a Savile Row-trained tailor who now runs English Cut. “If the bespoke businesses were driven out by crappy retail stores selling poor quality clothes, then Savile Row’s name would be irreparably damaged.”

Needless to say, As I've said before, there's a lot of heritage on Savile Row, and it needs to be protected. The fact that our local government is starting to agree with us tailors can only be seen as a good sign.

As there's been a lot of recent press interest in Savile Row due to this report, all the tailors are assembling at 11am today for a group photograph, to give to the press to use. All of the Row's most dashing candidates will be there, strutting their stuff. I talked to a lot of the boys last week, who wanted me to come down for the shoot. Sadly, I'm cutting today in Cumbria, so I shall miss this historic occasion.

But Godspeed to everyone there today, and I'll look forward to seeing you all in the papers.

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January 27, 2006

naval uniforms

[click on image to enlarge]

While I was on Savile Row the other day, I walked by Henry Poole's and saw this marvellous window display.

Old, antique Royal Navy uniforms. The proper ones.

A little bit of trivia: A certain Henry Poole tailor is by law the only person in the world allowed to work on Admiral Nelson's uniform, the one he was actually wearing when he was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Only this tailor carries the Royal Warrant for it.

Also, if you've ever seen old photos of the Ethiopian king, Haile Selassie wearing a uniform, they were made by Poole's as well. That's his Royal Warrant on the top right.

Why do I love working on the Row? This picture says it all.

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December 19, 2005

"in praise of savile row"

The Guardian, one of the big London newspapers, recently wrote a leader about Savile Row:

As one master tailor told the Financial Times this week, "These people aren't tailors - they're outfitters," - an important distinction. Few of us may be able to afford a Savile Row suit but it is important somehow to know that, if we had the money and inclination, we could. Right now, London's historic master tailors are only hanging on by a thread. But they surely deserve to survive.

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December 12, 2005

very sad news...

[Myself, John Reed and Brian back in August.]

I have just learned the very sad news that one of Savile Row's most respected tailors and greatest characters, Brian Burstow, passed away suddenly last Friday.

All I can do is offer my most sincere condolences to his family. I will greatly miss Brian ("B.B." to his friends), as will all his loyal customers and everyone else connected to the Row.

The funeral service will be at 11am on 21st December at St Nicolas Church, St Nicolas Way, Sutton.

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November 22, 2005

henry poole's...

[A picture of Henry Poole's, 15 Savile Row.]

I saw this quote in Businessweek and it made me smile:

As Henry Poole's Simon Cundey told me: "The new guys might get the pop stars and the footballers, but their managers come to us... And they're so much less trouble."

As I've said before, Henry Poole's is one of the stalwarts of Savile Row. A wonderful company with an inpeccable pedigree. Mr. Cundy beautifully expresses a sentiment that all the tailors I know have been saying for years.

[UPDATE:] And in case you're wondering, it's pronounced "SAH-vill".

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