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 Savile Row takes a fair chunk of the bespoke tailoring custom and it always will as it is the 'mecca' of the tailoring world. But don't be fooled into thinking that some old tailor will be sat crossed legged at the back of the fancy shop front carefully sewing away on your suit, those days are long gone.
The truth is that the actual making of an expensive Savile Row suit will involve many hands, and most of the sewing work is not even done on the 'Row' any more. There are very few actual sewing tailors left on Savile Row so how can you be purchasing a Savile Row suit when it is not even made in London, let alone on Savile Row?
Many of the actual sewing tailors are now working from their homes as far afield as Yorkshire and Kent and there will be at least 6 people involved in the making of your suit from measure to finish - compare this to my philosophy and approach to outsourcing. I class outsourcing and this minimal involvement as sub division, it is a well known fact that many hands make different work and for any repeat orders it may not be possible to have the same tailor who made your most favourite pair of trousers make your new pair.
The truth is that the remaining craftsmen that do work for Savile Row tailors, and most, if not all are freelance, are under pressure to turn garments out to tight deadlines at fixed rates for their work. The result of this is that quality has suffered and a garment is being made that has no real comparison to the old Savile Row as it was years ago.
Overheads, expensive business costs, flash salesmen and big mark ups, and because Savile Row occupies some of the most expensive space in the world, you have to pay for it.
A craft that is as personal as tailoring maintains and services customers, many for decades, if people give off Row tailors like me a chance and look further than Savile Row, then tailors like me can compete. Not purely on price, but as a tailor.
One true craftsman that will measure you, cut the cloth, conduct the fittings, make the suit, finish the suit and press the suit for you, a genuine one to one service.
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