With a worldwide reputation for sartorial excellence, Savile Row aka “The Row” in London’s historic Mayfair district, has outfitted the military, royals and men of wealth and privilege for over two centuries defining the outward appearance of the of English gentleman.
Emerging from two modest 18th century firms founded in London and Portsmouth, Gieves & Hawkes is the distillation of artisanal traditions and expertise that have been passed down for generations, creating the soul of the tailoring powerhouse we know today.
It would however be an erroneous assumption to think of Gieves & Hawkes as a firm bound only to the traditions of the past. Never satisfied to rest on their laurels, Gieves & Hawkes have always shown a proclivity for innovation including their forward minded introduction of RTW in the 1920’s and the invention of the life vest to name but two examples.
One Savile Row: The Invention of the English Gentleman published by Flammarion has been an eagerly awaited volume that opens the Gieves & Hawkes archives and grants us unprecedented access to this legendary tailor who has called 1 Savile Row home for over a century.
Of particular interest was the much appreciated chapter ‘Gieves & Hawkes Today’ by well known style blogger Simon Crompton author of Permanent Style which offers a peek of the newly refurbished rooms. A must have for men of style, lovers of history and anglophiles across the globe.
