Savile Row in London has been the global capital of men’s tailoring for the past 200 years. It is even said that the word ‘bespoke’– made to individual order and fit – originated on the Row, referring to the garments made here by hand. Though few of the original 18th-century tailors remain, the street remains the go-to place for fine tailoring and exquisite garments.

One of our suits is noticed by the way it is cut, and on the right person it looks the most elegant thing around

At number 10 sits Dege & Skinner, one of only two surviving family-owned tailors on the street. Founded in 1865, the company has occupied a number of prestigious addresses in the London West End, from Jermyn Street – renown for its shirt-making businesses – to its current location. “We, as an established bespoke tailoring company, are at the heart of Savile Row. Number 10 on this street is quite a strong address; like number 10 Downing Street,” says William Skinner, Managing Director for Dege & Skinner, and whose family have owned the business for five generations. The tailors are Royal Warrant holders, and embody the best of traditional British manufacturing.

International reputation
Though the fashion world has changed as it approaches three centuries since tailoring established itself in this West End address, Dege & Skinner have managed to maintain their clientele without having to sacrifice the quality of their product. The market for true bespoke tailoring might be small, but it is distinguished and established, and the company continues to build on its already sterling reputation. “Customers know that when they come to Dege & Skinner on Savile Row they will get a top-quality, true bespoke, handmade suit,” says Skinner. With a team of six cutters, 16 coat and trouser makers and four apprentices, each specialising in one aspect or garment of bespoke tailoring, the company is built on sheer tradition and talent. “Everything we make is made here in this shop; suits, sports coats, blazers, shirts, it’s all made here,” says Skinner. The products, however, are sold all over the world, with regular overseas trips to see customers in France, Switzerland, across Europe and the US. The brand is also licenced in Japan.

Custom cuts
“A true bespoke item of clothing is different from ready-to-wear in a lot of ways: the hang of the garment, the feel of it, the fit, the fabric, and it can give the wearer a confidence boost. That in itself can mean a lot, when the wearer knows that they are wearing the best possible suit. One of our suits is noticed by the way it is cut, and on the right person it looks the most elegant thing around,” says Skinner. Dege & Skinner succeeds because of the relationships it has built and cultivated with care; Skinner insists that staff remember every client’s name even if months or years have passed. “We want to understand our customers, it is not mass-market, and we are not a volume-production. Over a period of time we like to get to know our clients and their preferences.”

Skinner is acutely aware of the fast-paced lifestyle of his clients, and concedes that the business has had to adapt, but he says that no compromise has been made to the quality of the garments. “Time is of the essence these days. If one of our clients is visiting this country, we will ensure we can accommodate their restrictions. We will get the first fitting ready before they leave the country, we can then finish the suit and send it to them,” he explains. “There is an initial investment of time to get the fit and the pattern right, but from then on we are able to produce high-specification garments relatively quickly and to a much higher standard than any ready-to-wear shop could.”

For further information visit www.dege-skinner.co.uk