Connect with:

Standard Blog Whole Post

Lord William Gordon Lennox and Simon Cundey at Henry Poole & Co

Simon Cundey, MD at Henry Poole, is never a man to duck a challenge so he was delighted when The Duke of Richmond asked him if he could design three suits for himself and his two sons ahead of this year’s racing at The Qatar Goodwood Festival, one of the highlights of the summer season. Henry Poole’s team of master tailors joined forces with the Richmond family – The Duke of Richmond himself and sons, the Earl of March and Kinrara and Lord William Gordon Lennox – to tailor each linen suit to their individual styles and preferences. Every detail, from the choice of fabric, cut, fit, and finishes, was meticulously considered, creating traditional garments that reflect contemporary style.

Lord William Gordon Lennox outside Henry Poole & Co

And Simon was more than happy to get involved. “It was a pleasure to work on this project with the family,” he enthused. “Selecting the best Irish linen in a beautiful buttermilk hue and using the colours of Goodwood Racecourse for the interior lining and pocketing resulted in a beautiful pure bespoke Henry Poole suit, cut and made at our Savile Row premises, which we hope the family will enjoy for years to come. It is admirable to see the innovations that the Dukes of Richmond have brought to the Goodwood Estate over generations.”

Tom Pendry, left,  Cutter and Director of Henry Poole, added: “This was an intriguing project in many respects. As well as learning about some of the history and heritage that inspired the concept, it was a pleasure to work with the different members of the family and have their individual inputs. Despite the overall fabric colour being consistent, the different stylistic choices from each gentleman made it easier to see each garment as a personal take on the same theme.” 

Lord William Gordon Lennox, who looked splendid in his new suit, said: “The partnership between Goodwood and Henry Poole is a brilliant celebration of British heritage and craftsmanship. It will be a joy to wear such a beautiful piece of clothing inspired by Goodwood’s racing history, which not only showcases the quality of tailoring that this country, and Henry Poole in particular, is so well known for, but also continues the modern elegance for which Goodwood is known.”

The Goodwood Festival is known for being a relaxed yet elegant affair when it comes to style. King Edward VII, who came racing every year until his death, was responsible for changing the dress code from a formal top hat and tails to a more informal way of dressing and Goodwood later became known for its quintessentially English look of linen suits and Panama hats. It was a look that gave Goodwood a much more carefree, holiday feel than any other racecourse and led to the King calling it “a garden party, with racing tacked on.”

Established in 1806, Henry Poole regularly dressed King Edward VII, inextricably linking the two brands through this shared connection in their history. For, as well as dressing the King, Henry Poole also has records of both Henry Gordon Lennox and George Gordon Lennox as clients in 1857. George ordered a frock coat in 1860, the same year as the Prince of Wales.

Pictures: Jonathan James Wilson

henrypoole.com

 

Lord William Gordon Lennox and Simon Cundey

By Daniel Evans

Edward Sexton, the tailor who shook up Savile Row with his bright colours and daring styles, has died at the age of 80 following a short illness. Sexton, always immaculately dressed whenever he went out, was one of the key driving forces  of change on Savile Row and, so much did he love the trade, he never retired. Most famously, Sexton combined with Tommy Nutter to bring a touch of rebellion to the traditions of Savile Row. Nutter was the public face and Sexton the tailoring genius behind Nutters, the fashion house which ripped up the rules of Savile Row in the late 1960s.

When I caught up with Sexton a few years ago, it was his work at Nutters which brought a sparkle to his eye. “When I got together with Tommy, Savile Row was a really staid place,” he told me. “It was boring. There were curtains across the windows – all very intimidating. But we were two young guys who wanted to make a living and create our own look. When we put our garments in the window, it shocked Savile Row to the core. People said: ‘We’ll give them six months’.

“The turning point came when the clients of other tailors looked into our window and then went into their tailors and said: ‘Could you please make my lapel a little bit wider? Could you please make my trousers a little more flared?’ Gradually, Savile Row started to change. The curtains came down, the heavy oak doors were left open and you would start to see models appear in (other) windows as well. We were a breath of fresh air.”

Thanks to the financial backing of Beatles manager Peter Brown and Cilla Black among others, Nutter, 25, and Sexton, 26, opened the doors of their tailoring house at 35a Savile Row on Valentine’s Day 1969. From the moment their first suits were put on show that evening, the house became known for clothes with a cutting-edge style that were beautifully made – without the slightest compromise of the Row’s high standards. “All the tailors had to admit that, respect that,” recalled Sexton. The pair went on to make the iconic white suits Mick and Bianca Jagger wore, as well as those worn by Paul McCartney and John Lennon on the cover of the Beatles’ Abbey Road album. Sexton once explained: “I don’t make suits, I build them, stage by stage.”

Sexton’s never-ending enthusiasm for tailoring was reflected in an interview he did with Cindy Lawford for Savile Row Style Magazine last year when he said he had no interest in retiring. “I love what I do. I have this huge passion for it. I love being in the workroom. I love a challenge. Once Savile Row is in your blood, it’s in your blood.”

Click here to read Cindy Lawford’s 2022 interview with Edward Sexton

By Daniel Evans Edward Sexton, the tailor who

Savile Row tailors, Henry Poole & Co, have collaborated with Jaguar TCS Racing to create a bespoke dinner jacket and lightweight suit for Team Principal, James Barclay. Embracing the full capabilities of Henry Poole & Co’s iconic Savile Row site in London, James began the unique journey with a design consultation and expressed his requirement for smart clothing suitable for wearing in climates all around the world. James attends all races in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, hosted in major cities including Hyderabad, Cape Town, Jakarta, and São Paulo. 

Known as the founders of the tuxedo, the team at Henry Poole & Co. began their bespoke and meticulous tailoring process, using high standards of cutting and tailoring skills, and applying their distinctive style to create two exclusive designs, using only the highest quality fabrics, a dinner jacket made from midnight blue Barathea 120s worsted wool and a dark blue midweight suit made from 100s wool and cashmere. The collaboration demonstrates the coming together of two brands that share a heritage and a passion for excellence. Established in 1806, Henry Poole & Co has a long history of offering the very best in fine British tailoring, while Jaguar has a rich motorsport history that has informed the evolution of its road cars.

Jaguar TCS Racing competes in the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E Championship street racing series, the world’s first net carbon zero sport, and tests and develops new electric vehicle technologies in a high-performance environment to support Jaguar’s all electric future. 

James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work closely and witness first-hand the skilled team at Henry Poole & Co working on these garments, they are rightly so very proud of their history and they are a key part of why Savile Row is world renowned for bespoke suit making. Jaguar too has a rich and illustrious heritage in motorsport, so I’m proud to represent the coming together of two iconic brands to showcase our passion for attention to detail and craftsmanship both now and as part of our innovative futures.” 

Simon Cundey, Managing Director of Henry Poole & Co, said: “We at Henry Poole & Co. are very proud to work with Jaguar, like ourselves a company of heritage, quality and craftsmanship. The concept of the synergy between luxury, style and performance relates to us both, plus with innovation going forward for the future.”

Jaguar TCS Racing will compete in the final rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in London on July 29 and 30. 

 

Images courtesy of Jaguar

henrypoole.com

Savile Row tailors, Henry Poole & Co,

Quailors, the first LGBTQIA+ group for people in the tailoring industry, hosted its first ever PRIDE event on Savile Row on Friday June 30. The group invited its community to come together to celebrate PRIDE and join the members ahead of them marching in the London parade on Saturday July 1 for the first time as a collective. The event took place at The Deck London at 32 Savile Row where the drink sponsors were Savile Row Gin. This year the Quailors officially marched in the PRIDE parade in London for the second time, following the monumental and historic moment in the 2022 parade where the tailoring trade had a presence in London PRIDE’s march for the first time.

Founded in 2020, the Quailors, co-founders Andrew Johnson and James MacAuslan, wanted to build a social community for LGBTQIA+ people who work in and support the tailoring industry in London and across the UK where they can feel safe, as well as to encourage a younger generation of tailors to join the trade. In just three years, the community has gained over 50 active members who gather regularly to network and share ideas and opportunities among their peers, as well as over 600 followers on social media.

Pictures: Rikesh Chauhan


Quailors, the first LGBTQIA+ group for people

Writing exclusively for Savile Row Style, wet shaving expert and Wilde & Harte Director Paul Thompson introduces the the brand new Kew Collection Shaving Brush and explains how to achieve the perfect wet shave.

Men aspire to the perfect, smooth and nick free wet shave, leaving skin exfoliated, clean shaven and ready for the application of a favourite cologne. Of course, to achieve this, the three essential components are:

• Safety razor or cartridge razor

• Quality shaving brush

• Lather generating shaving cream

A quality shaving brush is just as important as a clean, sharp blade for a wet shave and the Wilde & Harte Kew Shaving Brush measures up perfectly!

Featuring cherry wood, a durable, dense and rich reddish hue wood yielding beautiful grain patterns, each Kew collection shaving brush handle is turned by hand, sanded and lacquered for a waterproof sheen. The fibres are synthetic (vegan friendly) and are held in place by a mirror polished stainless steel ring, adding weight, durability and a touch of class to each shaving brush.

These beautifully crafted Kew Collection Shaving Brushes are available to purchase from Wilde & Harte today. Learn more here.

 

 

 

 

How To Use a Shaving Brush

  1. Wet both your face the shaving brush fibres with warm water
  2. Apply small amount of shaving cream on each cheek
  3. Using the shaving brush, work the cream into a lather and spread around your beard area
  4. Shave and rinse away excess shaving cream
  5. Dry face and apply moisturiser and aftershave

Note: Luxury shaving creams and shaving soaps are available from a handful of leading UK grooming brands. They are available in many traditional, woody fragrances such as sandalwood and also in zesty fragrances such as lime or grapefruit. Typically, a 150ml tub of shaving cream (£15.00  / $20 (USD) approx.) would last six months when shaving three times a week. It is common to build a collection of shaving creams suited for winter and summer.

About Wilde & Harte

We design and manufacture razor collections and shaving brushes inspired by the splendour and grandeur of iconic houses and palaces in London. Where style meets sustainability, the brand offers hand crafted 100% plastic free shaving options and accessories to minimise plastic consumption and lower shaving costs. Wilde & Harte are members of the Made in Britain campaign.

 

 

 

Writing exclusively for Savile Row Style, wet