A GLITTERING assembly will be treated to a close encounter with the best of Savile Row in Italy next year, when a unique presentation from Savile Row is staged.
Under the title The London Cut, this will coincide with the Pitti Uomo event in Florence in January, the premier trade show for the international men’s clothing market. And as evidence of Italy’s recognition of Savile Row’s eminence in the male clothing stakes, the exhibition’s organising body is generously hosting a special exhibition of Savile Row outfits.
Such illustrious Savile Row names as Henry Poole, Dege & Skinner, Anderson & Sheppard, Richard Anderson, Huntsman and Gieves & Hawkes are among those making items especially for the presentation, which will have a gala opening night attended by VIP’s, celebrities, press and trade buyers.
The show will display over 40 bespoke suits made by the tailors, a first for any clothing exhibition, and certainly the first time the Row’s houses have made especially for a showcase event since their own Bespo fashion shows of the late 60s.
Sponsored by the Italian hosts and with some help from the British wool industry through the British Wool Textiles Export Corporation, it will provide many visitors with their first encounter of bespoke suits, jackets and dinner jackets. They are to be viewed in the suitably grand setting of the Palazzo Pitti for a month, opening on January 10 and continuing there for a month. For tailoring afficionados, a treat not to be missed. It may then come on to London.
Talented fellow charged with curating the exhibition is James Sherwood, London-based style commentator, who is also writing a book to commemorate this landmark event. He is determined to show that the timeless elegance of clothes cut for such style figures as Edward Vll, Fred Astaire and Cary Grant continues in today's Savile Row creations.
One of those contributing to the event is Oswald Boateng, representing the younger, more fashion-orientated face of Savile Row. In addition to his bespoke work, he also produces an extensive ready-to-wear collection, and in both displays a propensity for using colour that shows Savile Row is not always staid - see pic above.
More photographs from the exhibition will be shown in a future edition.
