GOLDEN SHEARS
Joe ' s Catwalk Appeal
Daniel Evans talks to Joe Holsgrove , Golden Shears Winner 2015
Q & A with Simon Cundey , chairman of the Golden Shears committee
Simon , why do you think the Golden Shears are important ? The competition is important to the craft tailoring industry . It stands at the pinnacle point of the trade . This coming from design , pattern cutting and all the tailoring techniques still done by hand to create a garment .
Joe Holsgove with Denman & Goddard Master Tailors David Cook , left , and Peter Day
It was a delight to catch up with Joe Holsgrove the other day , ahead of Golden Shears 2017 . As a 20-year old , Joe won the biennial event two years ago , and I get the impression he is as proud to talk about his win today as he was when he walked off with the top prize back in 2015 .
I track him down to his place of work – Denman & Goddard – on a busy day at the workplace . “ I would have been with you sooner but I had to quickly finish doing something on a pair of trousers ,” he tells me .
So , Joe , what was it like to take top spot ? “ Winning the competition cemented in my own mind that this job is absolutely what I wanted to do ,” he says . “ It ’ s an achievement for anyone to get to the final but to win it was fantastic . It was great to know that your dedication and attention to detail actually pays off . I love going to work . The benefits of what you get are only as a direct result of what you put in .
“ I ’ m fortunate that I ’ ve been able to see both sides of the business . Some go in as tailors and stay tailors while some people go in as cutters and never truly spend time on the board , learning how to create the garments themselves .”
Joe based his winning entry on a fairly classic styling but with some original aspects to give it catwalk appeal . “ It was a half shooting jacket and trousers in a tan colour with blue contrast facing the pockets ,” he recalls . “ I wanted something that was going to stand out but not too distant from Savile Row tailoring . It ’ s a very bold outfit but still wearable though , to be honest , it would take a bit of an eccentric to actually wear it .”
I finish by asking Joe what his plans were for the future . He doesn ’ t have a precise answer but talks about generally getting on with his career . Ten minutes after our conversation , the phone rings on my desk . It ’ s Joe with a far more definite answer . “ I want to be a master tailor ,” he tells me with certainty – an ambition I ’ m sure , with his determination and talent , he will go on to achieve . Q
How well do they represent the industry ? It is the only competition that brings the trade together through companies ’ apprentices , colleges and universities .
What do you particularly enjoy about the presentation evening ? The event is held at the Merchant Taylors Hall on Threadneedle Street which makes the most spectacular venue . It ’ s also a great opportunity for myself , my colleagues and indeed the trade to see the new talent coming through . The Golden Shears creates a lot of emotion and excitement generated by the finalists , their peers and parents which makes a wonderful atmosphere .
What does the presentation evening achieve ? Past finalists have become partners and directors of companies on Savile Row . Others have gone on to work for international fashion houses in the UK and abroad . I take great pride in the Golden Shears competition allowing the new generations their night in the spotlight to show off what they can do and ensuring our great craft of tailoring continues . Q
12 SAVILE ROW STYLE MAGAZINE