INSIDE STORY
David Ward fitting Hugh Bonneville for Downton Abbey where he played Lord Grantham
and qualifications unchecked, another tailoring star is born and signed off by the media to prey on the Row’ s success while the Row itself struggles to maintain its own identity in its natural environment.
It is heartbreaking, yet sadly expected in this age where immediacy is king, that we can observe one of the last true citadels of British craftsmanship being distorted and pillaged in this way. It would appear there are more fake bespoke tailors in London than real ones.
As the craft continues to be exploited for its mastery and distinction and the
“ It would appear there are more fake bespoke tailors in London than real ones” word“ bespoke” that was born out of the tailoring industry is corrupted by the masses, selling everything from bespoke holidays to bespoke wallpaper, what of the Row’ s future? Will the term“ Savile Row Tailor” become a reference to a bygone era, as tourist guides chaperone visitors to London streets to view what is left of this once incredible location that was swallowed up and devoured by the blandness of contemporary culture?
At a grassroots level, there is a bountiful reserve of the right people coming into the trade to carry on the tradition of making
20 SAVILE ROW STYLE MAGAZINE