PRINCE GOES OUTSIDE ROW FOR WEDDING TAILOR

While the spotlight was on Gieves & Hawkes in the run-up to the Royal wedding as the expected suppliers of Prince William’s uniform, tailor Russell Kashket was quietly visiting the Palace to fit not only William but Prince Harry too and the page boys.

It was a well kept secret, made all the more surprising by the fact that it was not a Savile Row house that  took this prize, but one little known by comparison with Gieves - though no less venerable in history.

It's a move that reflects the Prince's determination not to be bound by tradition, in going outside Savile Row for his wedding day attire. But the company group, of which Kashket is a part, can trace its lineage back to 1655, and is no stranger to making for major occasions and illustrious figures. 

Right, Prince William in the uniform of the Irish Guards, with his bride,now the Duchess of Cambridge, and with Prince Harry in the background in the uniform of the Blues & Royals, and the maid of honour, Pippa Middleton.

Russell Kashket, who made the princes’ uniforms, is the third generation to run Kashket & Partners in the UK, a company that can trace its history back to being hatters at the court of the Tsar in Russia in the early 1900s. It has become one of the top makers of uniforms in the UK, supplying services around the world. Its tailoring base is in Stafford Street, Mayfair, near Savile Row, and where John Kent used to be based.

Sister company, Firmin, is older than any other in the Row, dating back to 1655. It has made uniforms for Admiral Nelson, supplied both sides at Gettysburg, and has held Royal Warrants since 1796.

“We are greatly honoured to receive this order,” said Russell Kashket. “We believe we are one of the finest tailors and hat-makers in the world, and this is the most momentous wedding the world has seen this decade.”

Left, the Irish Guard's tunic made by Kashket for Prince William. Below, the draft sketches of designs for the pageboy outfits by Bernard Kashket.

Clearly still somewhat overcome as well as overjoyed by his role in the proceedings, he said the magnitude of the event really struck home in the Abbey.

"Yes, we were invited to the wedding, and when I saw the Prince, wearing the uniform we had made, that's when it really hit me. I'm very, very proud. It was such a joyous occasion."

He is at pains to point out the company’s long history of making clothes for special occasions and noted figures, and as suppliers of military uniforms and regalia to manycountries around the world.

He was assisted by his father, Bernard Kashket, also a master tailor, and who was responsible for drafting the designs for the page boys uniforms.

To see a full interview, with information and further pictures, order Savile Row Style Magazine, out in June.