Cover Savile Row: For the gentleman with an eye for elegance
Savile Row: For the gentleman with an eye for elegance
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As the inspiration behind Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s brand—synonymous with understated luxury—Savile Row (UK) remains a must-visit for the sartorially inclined traveller.
78 per cent cashmere, 14 per cent silk, 3 per cent wool, 2 per cent camel (and 3 per cent other fibres, where necessary): such is the label found inside the “Mance” coat from The Row’s Autumn/Winter 2019 collection. Designed with side pockets and a back flap, it boasts an ideal length and a price tag akin to that of a modest vehicle. “Sometimes the coat is worth more than the money itself.”
And yet, the “Mance” coat isn’t even the most extravagant offering. The Row’s “Margaux 10” handbag, rendered in crocodile leather, commands a sum comparable to a pre-owned Bentley. That these pieces continue to sell out at such prices owes everything to the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen did justice to The Row’s namesake, honouring the London street that is home to the world’s most exacting tailors: Savile Row.
Nestled in the Mayfair district of Westminster, central London, Savile Row is the cradle of British tailoring. In essence, it is where any gentleman serious about refined dress naturally finds himself.
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Savile Row, pictured as it was in earlier times
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Since 2013, number 9 Savile Row has housed Alexander McQueen’s first dedicated tailoring space. Among seasoned cutters and discerning clients, the brand is not here for the dramatic silhouettes that made its name. Rather, the address draws the house closer to its founder than ever before. Young Lee McQueen, after all, left school at 16 and began his journey at Anderson & Sheppard (30 Savile Row), before taking up a position at Gieves & Hawkes—an institution with over two and a half centuries of heritage and a prime perch at number 1. These early experiences shaped McQueen’s legacy, securing his place among Britain’s most revered couturiers.
Premier designer, the famous Lee Alexander McQueen
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Before McQueen’s arrival, Savile Row was lined with ateliers offering bespoke tailoring starting at £1,000. As mentioned, one of the first to employ him was Gieves & Hawkes, established in 1771 and famed for crafting the British military uniform. Poole & Co. joined the scene in 1840, serving society’s uppermost echelons. It was Henry Poole who is widely credited with creating the tuxedo, now a staple of formal eveningwear.
While deeply committed to tradition, the Savile Row fraternity has never turned its back on progress. The 1960s saw Hardy Amies usher in a period of sartorial expansion. This paved the way for Tommy Nutter, who dressed three of The Beatles for the cover of their iconic Abbey Road album—an indelible moment in pop culture and tailoring history alike.
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Gieves & Hawkes, which was established in 1771
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Savile Row has transformed perceptions, proving that the line between tailor and designer is not only navigable but thriving. Formed between 1731 and 1735, the street continues to captivate, drawing visitors from across the globe—whether in pursuit of fashion history or the world’s finest bespoke craftsmanship.
