Tailored Stories - An Oral History of Savile Row

This film celebrates the history and skills of the men and women in the bespoke tailoring industry, who have made Savile Row synomomous with the highest quality craftsmanship. Its TV premiere was on November 2, 2015.

How did the project start?

Students from fashion courses at Kensington and Chelsea College and the London College of Fashion were working with arts and education charity digital-works to explore the history of tailoring in the Savile Row area in London's West End. With support from the Museum of London the students have undertaken research and then gone on to interview 25 people working in various aspects of the trade. These interviews are given to archives for public access.

Some history:

From the late 18th century tailors began moving into the Savile Row area attracted by the wealthy and fashionable population of Mayfair. Savile Row became synonymous with high quality tailoring serving the rich and powerful. This has been documented, but what about the sweat and skills behind the perfectly tailored suits, the stories of the tailors themselves and the various people who worked in associated trades in the area? Unlike other histories of the street which focus on mens fashion, this project is a social history of the people who have worked in and around Savile Row, how they got their skills, their backgrounds, and how work has changed during this time. The focus is on living memory but with research into the roots of the industry.

Watch the full movie here:

For more information about the project: www.tailoredstories.org.uk