FIRST NETWORKING PRESS EVENING FOR TAILORS

Party at glitzy Mayfair Hotel brings Savile Row face to face with the press

Savile Row put its traditional reserve behind it and came out to meet the media, in a wonderful party at London's top fashion hotel, The Mayfair, in November.

From the newest and the youngest to the oldest and grandest, a group of tailors representing the Row and its environs presented a display of their craftsmanship and their style, while chatting to over a hundred guests who attended the event.

Staged by Fashion4Media, assisted by Savile Row Style Magazine (www.savilerow-style.com), it is the first such network occasion put on for the bespoke heartland and showed that it has finally opened up to press attention.

Many press members, from publications for the young market, had little knowledge of Savile Row and its excellence. Others were delighted at the opportunity to see at close quarters beautifully made suits and jackets.

For many, the originality and the style of garments on show came as a surprise, confounding the traditional image of Savile Row as very classic and staid. And one or two of the more extrovert characters found there were colourful, eyecathcatching numbers on display that outdid their own efforts.

Tailors taking part included A.J. Hewitt, Byrne & Burge, Davies & Son, Dege & Skinner, Henry Poole, Huntsman, Lutwyche, Richard Anderson, Steven Hitchcock, Stowers and Tom Baker. Holland & Sherry donated a suit length for the prize draw.

They each brought along display models, some also showing a selection of garments on rails. And as the press circulated around the glittering Danziger Suite, tailors explained some of the intricacies of the tailoring art - whilst enjoying a drink or two and some canapes. Such is the stuff on which good press relations are established.

From the top: bright colours and patchwork shown by Richard Anderson, with the man himself in the background; Ray Stowers talking to the press; Alan Bennett of Davies being interviewed; pale blue jacket with large overcheck from Steven Hitchcock; Lindsay Taylor and Nicolas Gilbaud of Holland & Sherry; Tom Baker on the right with press; Matt Pollock from New4Media with Tony Rushmer of savilerow-style magazine; black and white check jacket with button positioned on the lapel by Byrne & Burge; Prince of Wales-type check for a double breasted suit by Davies; Huntsman tweed jacket and smoking jacket; Andre Gayle, left, deputy editor of Urban Life magazine checking the Henry Poole display; Anthony Hewitt being interviewed; Joshua Byrne. Many tailors and guests wore poppies, as it was Remembrance Day, November 11.