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Savile Row opposes The Kooples opening

By FashionUnited

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Fashion

The Savile Row Bespoke Association is unhappy with the planned opening of fashion chain The Kooples. Affectionately called The Row, the Bespoke Association stated: “A fashion store is not particularly welcome as it does not fit in to what Savile Row,

including its heritage and history, is about.”

Vice
chairman of Anderson & Sheppard tailors, Anda Rowland, added: “We just feel it is a great shame to see Regent Street wrapping into Savile Row. It has been the home of tailors for hundreds of years and we won’t be able to get that character back when the chain stores move in.”

The Kooples’ plans to move into the area are what Savile Row tailors see as the latest threat from the high street. 5 years ago the Association opposed the opening of Abercrombie & Fitch, which took up the former Jil Sander London flagship, however was unsuccessful in its opposition.

The Savile Row Bespoke Association acts a spokesman for the tailoring industry of Savile Row and works to ensure that the Row continues to thrive as the world centre of tailoring excellence.

The Association unites the founding fathers of the Row with the New Establishment tailors to protect and develop a craft practised in this elite quarter of Mayfair for over two centuries.

As part of its membership requirements, Savile Row tailors should typically create a two-piece suit almost completely by hand – with at least 50 hours of hand work. Tailors should individually cut a paper pattern produced by a Master Cutter, as well as offer a choice of at least 2000 fabrics.

A member at a long-established Savile Row name told the Independent: “If it carries on like this, the Row will just become another chain-store high street."

Image: Savile Row

SAVILE ROW
The Kooples