There are many tailors out there that strive to give a unique and personalised style that fits to perfection. Hywel Davies, freelance fashion writer and author of Modern Menswear, gives us his insider’s view of this prestigious craft.

1. Caraceni, Rome and Milan

One of the oldest ateliers in Italy, founder Sartoria Domenico Caraceni is known as the ‘father of Italian tailoring’, and is famous for dressing Prince Rainier of Monaco, generations of the Kings of Italy and Greece and actors such as Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant and Burt Lancaster.  Masculine yet elegant, the characteristics of the typical wearer are reflected in Caraceni’s pieces; this house captures the traditional Italian style which many try to duplicate.
WWW.CARACENI.IT

2. Gieves & Hawkes, London

Located at No.1 Savile Row, Gieves & Hawkes has a military history and has dressed members of the English royal family since George III in 1809, and currently holds three Royal Warrants of Appointment to HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales.  Today, by combining its heritage with a modern approach to fabric technology and an ‘acute awareness of contemporary trends’ Gieves & Hawkes has retained its position as the final word on British tailoring.

WWW.GIEVESANDHAWKES.COM

3. Raja Fashions, Hong Kong

Celebrated as the ‘scourge of Savile Row’ by publications ranging from The Spectator to the Washington Post, via The Times of India, Raja Daswani, a charismatic third-generation millionaire tailor from Hong Kong is on a mission to rescue the ‘badly dressed and overpaying British customer’.  With its close and accessible network to the exquisite fabrics of the Far East, this house gives you a Savile Row experience overseas.  With bookings being made up to three months in advance, Raja Fashions boasts an international clientele.

WWW.RAJA-FASHIONS.COM

4. Anderson & Sheppard, London

Founded in 1906, Anderson & Sheppard is known for its ‘limp look,’ a style of tailoring that is softer and less structured than that of some other tailors.  The Swedish tailor Per Anderson, who trained under the legendary Frederick Scholte, and his partner Sidney Sheppard were concerned with the movement of a suit, and so their fluid style remains today, defined by a lightly padded shoulder, draped chest and gentle definition of the waist.

WWW.ANDERSON-SHEPPARD.CO.UK

5. William Fioravanti, New York

President of the Custom Tailors and Designers
Association of America, Fioravanti comes from a long line of great Neapolitan tailors.  Following in the footsteps of greats such as Gianni Campagna, he was awarded the coveted Golden Scissors by the Academy of Master Tailors in Italy.  With over 40 years’ experience under his designer belt, Fioravanti’s highly desirable designs are made from the best materials.

WWW.WILLIAMFIORAVANTI.COM

6. Gianni Campagna, Milan

Aged 18, Gianni Campagna studied at the house of Caraceni, inheriting its flair for memorable design.  He later joined Gruppo Finanziario Tessile (GFT), one of the top European menswear manufacturers, where he produced suits for the prestigious houses of Armani, Ungaro and Valentino.  He opened his own boutique in Milan and attracted many big names in Hollywood; Pierce Brosnan, Sharon Stone and the late, great Charlton Heston are just a few famous faces to have donned Campagna’s creations.

WWW.CAMPAGNA.IT

7. Henry Poole, London

A truly British establishment, this business is now under the trained eye of Angus Cundey who maintains the traditions of this historical house.  Henry Poole offers an extensive range of rich fabrics originating from the mills of Yorkshire, rich flannels from the West Country, and the finest tweeds from Scotland.  Poole took the best of British tailoring to the Far East, when it became the first Savile Row tailor to enter the Japanese market.  The company also makes quarterly trips to the US and Europe to ensure their international clients get the best of British tailoring.

WWW.HENRYPOOLE.COM

8. J H Cutler, Sydney

For over 125 years, J H Cutler has served society’s elite; this Australian atelier has dressed many of the country’s Prime Ministers, governors and entertainers.  Four generations of the Cutler family have taken pride in providing a discreet, personal service, ‘old world’ hand craftsmanship and the finest fabrics to create pieces of timeless elegance and unparalleled quality.  The firm was invited by Lord Lichfield to feature in the inaugural edition of Courvoisier’s Book of the Best.

WWW.CUTLERBESPOKE.COM.AU

9. Leonard Logsdail, New York

Bespoke suit-maker Leonard Logsdail arrived in New York by way of Savile Row more than a decade ago. He makes slick, sharp, business suits that reflect the businessmen who wear them:  ‘I only keep Super 180s and Super 200s around as a talking point.’  He doesn’t use them because ‘they don’t have any guts.’  You can even see his punchy suits in action on Hollywood hero Denzel Washington in the film American Gangster.
East 53rd Street, New York

10. Richard James, London

Despite being the youngest kid on the Savile Row block, Richard James has established itself as a leading luxury brand by merit of its trademark sleek tailoring, bold use of colour and best-of-British quality.  As well as becoming the first Savile Row tailor to have a base in Tokyo’s exciting Roppongi district, the company has recently opened a stylish new store in London.

WWW.RICHARDJAMES.CO.UK

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