“America has had a
wonderful Oedipal relationship with England in that it could not have
us ruling them but could not do without our tailors.”
– Nick Foulkes
“It is a real
honour to mount this exhibition showcasing the talents, craft and
vitality of the most famous tailoring address in the world. Savile
Row is rightly recognised for its long tradition of ultimate quality,
but it is also a tradition that is living and thriving; training new
generations of craftsmen, constantly inspiring the worlds of fashion
and style and responding to customers’ changing needs and desires.
Americans have long recognised the unique charms of a bespoke Savile
Row suit and we have a truly rich selection of pieces in this
exhibition exploring this special relationship from Buffalo Bill to
Samuel L Jackson.”
– Pierre Lagrange,
Chairman of Savile Row Bespoke
The Savile Row
Bespoke Association takes pleasure in announcing the exhibition,
Savile Row and America: a Sartorial Special Relationship. The event
is hosted in Washington DC by Sir Peter Westmacott, British
Ambassador to the United States of America, at the historic British
Ambassador’s residence at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. An
original Lutyens house, the Embassy is considered one of the most
exceptional in the world.
Curated by
critically acclaimed author and life-long Savile Row aficionado, Nick
Foulkes, the exhibition centres on the special relationship between
Savile Row and the United States. It focuses on important commissions
from famous Statesmen and Hollywood legends through to customers of
today. The showcase demonstrates Savile Row’s position at the
forefront of its craft, today catering to the bespoke needs of the
style-conscious modern gentleman. Visitors will appreciate the skill
of London’s bespoke tailors in all their diversity: from historic
companies trading as early as 1689 through to contemporary houses
established within the past few years.
Homage is paid to
Savile Row’s American customers both past and present, with names
such as Junius Spencer Morgan and his son J. P. Morgan, William
Randolph Hearst, John Jacob Astor, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie
Chaplin, Fred and Adele Astaire, Bill Blass, Gary Cooper, Frank
Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, Louis B. Meyer, Samuel Goldwyn, Gerry Ford,
Douglas Fairbanks, Katharine Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Humphrey Bogart,
Stewart Grainger, Gregory Peck, Duke Ellington, Ambassador Joseph
Kennedy, Presidents Harry Truman, George Bush Sr, Ronald Reagan, John
Paul Getty, Cole Porter, Bing Crosby, Steve McQueen and Michael
Jackson, plus present stars such as Henry Kissinger, Madonna and
Gwyneth Paltrow.
The above roll call
and those of many more is brought to life by over 70 outfits and 175
artefacts, including ledgers, patterns, photographs, documents and
curiosities, collectively demonstrating the history and heritage of
Savile Row and the unique relationships formed between one small
street and a nation.
In addition to the
main exhibition, guests will also have the opportunity to view
clothing made for members of the Royal family as well as a selection
of garments specially created for Bentley drivers by five Savile Row
tailoring houses. The show also includes a number of exquisite
bespoke pieces from Huntsman ‘s Gregory Peck exhibition, which met
with critical acclaim in London last year.
Oh, thanks for bringing attention to this marvelous exhibition. I'd love to see it but, alas, I'm on the other side of the country. My father was a Savile Row tailor for many years and recently retired. I'm lucky enough to have been the recipient of his generosity as he's made me several articles of clothing that I adore. My husband too.
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