Skip to main content

Book Bound: One Savile Row, the address of one of London’s most famous tailors

English tailoring often conjures up images of stiff upper-lipped gents and dusty old tailoring shops. Well that may very well have been the case in the recent past but all that has changed with the new guard of tailors on the iconic Savile Row in London. With Patrick Grant, Richard James and Oswald Boateng on the scene, tailoring isn’t just for the musty set any longer.

But the grand daddy of all of Savile Row, and the one with the toniest of addresses, Number 1, is Gieves and Hawkes. They have seen the currents change and have done their part and now there is a decadent book out recording their rather remarkable history that is a must for any man interested in suiting up.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Originally Gieves was the supplier of bespoke uniforms to the British military, and their clients included a few famous names such as Admiral Lord Nelson and The Duke of Wellington as well as ten generations of British royalty from King George III to Princes William and Harry today.

It wasn’t until the 1930s that Gieves began tailoring for civilian life. Fun Fact: in 1914 Mr. Gieves asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to stop enlisting his staff so he could properly service the countries’ armed forces. The First Lord agreed. His name was Winston Churchill, also a customer.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This book is on the large side and we wouldn’t want it any other way. The grand scale of the imagery from historic uniforms to todays tailored pieces shot in equally iconic setting such as The Travellers Club in London and The Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire (only the largest privately owned home in Europe!) as well as in the Gieves flagship.

Not only are the images by Bruno Ehrs amazing, but the text is written by the top brass in their respective fields. Marcus Binney, the founder of SAVE British Heritage (and awarded an OBE in 2006) covers the architectural history of 1 Savile Row while Harold Koda, the curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York provides the Forward. Esteemed fashion writer Colin McDowell provides us with the history of the English Gentleman.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recently the company dove into a massive overhaul of the building in which they have been since 1912 and the results are astounding. They emphasize their heritage with framed photos and documents from their archives while weaving in contemporary artwork to mirror their very obvious presence in modern menswear.

With the holidays just ahead, this tome is the perfect gift for a well-dressed gent in your life.

All photos courtesy of Bruno Ehrs

Topics
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Porsche, TAG Heuer team up for Carrera Chronograph honoring the 911, a timeless classic
A gorgeous timepiece in honor of a true classic
TAG Heuer Porsche watches on wheel

There are fewer sports cars as iconic and persistent as the Porsche 911. Performance has improved, and some features like natural aspiration and air cooling have gone the way of the dinosaurs -- but at its core (and in its styling), the 911 is pretty much the same rear engine beauty that Porsche unveiled back in September 1963. It is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, as is a much-loved piece of chronography -- the TAG Heuer Carrera.

So it’s only fitting that TAG Heuer, an equally iconic Swiss watchmaker with strong racing links, has partnered up with Porsche to commemorate the German company’s flagship motor. The “Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche” is a beautiful chronograph and a fantastic bit of engineering. Its styling manages to cram in more references to the 911’s 60-year history than we can count without looking garish or overstated.

Read more
Panerai releases its 2023 Navy SEALs dive watches, and they’re incredible
You could also buy the full Navy SEALs experience
Panerai's 2023 Navy Seals watches

If you’re a fan of diving and American special forces units, then it’s time to celebrate. Panerai has released its latest range of Navy SEALs dive watches, and they look good. Four new timepieces are available, though that availability is limited with three of the watches and extremely scarce with the fourth. The whole thing is part of a collaboration that started in 2022 and adds to the already wide range of luxury Panerai watches.

The most limited new watch in Panerai’s Navy SEALs comes bundled with a chance to be miserable on a beach. If you’re one of the 50 people who will ultimately spend $53,200 on the 47mm Submersible Chrono PAM01402, you’ll get more than just the watch. The luxury timepiece comes with a matching travel pouch, an NFT, a collection of “artwork,” and the chance to experience “Navy SEALs Training.”

Read more
Dress shirt sale: Save on Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger
A smiling man wearing a blue shirt in the city.

Amazon has a great sale on dress shirts right now with up to 49% off select brands. If you're keen to look smarter without spending a fortune, this is your chance. We've picked out a few highlights from the sale below but we strongly recommend you click the button below to see what exactly is out there. With brands like Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Van Heusen all featuring, there's something for every taste here.

What to shop for in the Amazon Dress Shirt sale
Anyone seeking some of the best clothing brands for men will also want to save cash along the way. The Amazon dress shirt sale makes that possible. For instance, you can buy a

Read more