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Henry Poole and Goodwood join forces to produce bespoke linen suits

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

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Lord William Gordon Lennox and Simon Cundey

The Savile Row revolutionary: Edward Sexton dies, aged 80

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