Elegance tailored to perfection

Are you one of those men who like to dress nattily and will not be caught dead in a suit that has been bought off the shelf?

Then this piece of news will certainly interest you. Savile Row tailoring, that has always been considered the ultimate in bespoke has come to Dubai.

The term 'bespoke' originated in Savile Row when cloth for a suit was said to be spoken for by individual customers.

Savile Row has dressed every icon of male elegance from Nelson, Valentino and Astaire to Sinatra, Jagger and Jude Law not to mention crowned heads, statesmen and captains of industry.

Now this ultimate style statement for discerning men has been brought to Dubai by the Deepak Group that has opened a store called Savile Row in the The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence.

They have on board Simon Cunliff, who spent years on Savile Row learning the craft from master tailors before joining the Savile Row store in Jumeirah.

Cunliff began working on Savile Row from the age of 18 for Anderson & Sheppard, who at that time had the royal warrant for Prince Charles. His role was as an under cutter, which gave him the opportunity to be involved with both cutting and fitting which was unlike how it is traditionally followed as tailors and cutters in Savile Row mostly work separately. However, Simon worked closely with many master tailors to gain an overall insight in the business.

Cunliff has had the opportunity of working under master tailors like 'Ted Aranowsky' who used to make suits for Fred Estaire.

Today Cunliff is the general manager and the master tailor at the store in Dubai and is supervising the tailoring of each bespoke suit for customers in the emirate.

While suits at the store start at Dh1,600, the sky is the limit for those who have deep pockets.

Sunny Sawlani, Managing Director, Savile Row, told Emirates Business: "Our two-piece suits in a Super 110s Pure Wool Fabric start from Dh1,600 but we have also made bespoke suits for as much as Dh33,350.

"This suit was made using Ermenegildo Zegna 13 Milmil 13 Super 200 fabric.

"The style was a single breasted two button suit with side vents. Lapels were all padded by hand with all linings and edges sewn completely by hand.

"From slim fits to narrow lapels to slanted pockets; with bespoke, the options are endless. Moreover, the garment will be cut with extra fabric and will be fitted to perfection. This allows for various customizations that can also be done at a future date."

Apart from the usual fabric customers can also choose to get their suits made from more exclusive and luxurious fabrics such as pure cashmere and vicuna.

These fabrics are exclusive because they are produced in a very limited amount depending on how much is produced per year due to the shear availability.

However, whatever fabric the customer chooses, they can be sure that they will get a taste of true Savile Row craftsmanship.

Sawlani said: "We had one customer who wanted to really stand out from the crowd. He was going to an evening function; so we made him a suit from the Financial Times. I believe he made a very big statement.

Another gentleman had always dreamed of owning a patchwork denim suit. Apparently the famous comedian Jimmy Tarbuck wore one in the 70s. So we received 25 pairs of Levi denim jeans that were consequently ripped apart and cut into more pieces.

Then everything was machined together to make four yards of fabric in order to cut the suit. It looked very different and more importantly the customer was absolutely over the moon.

He came back after six months and told us how many people had come up to him at functions and really loved the idea. He had also brought another 25 pairs of jeans for the next one!"

In true Savile Row tradition the store provides an expert cloth consultant on the premises, offers a choice of at least 2,000 fabrics to the customer, retains full customer records and order details, provides first-class after care for garments including sponging, pressing, repairs and button matching, individually cut a paper pattern produced by the master cutter, have personal supervision of production by the master cutter and create a two-piece suit almost completely by hand - with at least 50 hours of hand work.

Sawlani said: "We do four fittings on our bespoke suits. The idea is to create the perfect suit for our customers and we will do whatever it takes.

Everything is tailored to perfection. Realistically we would be completing your bespoke suit from start to finish within two months."

So if it is sartorial elegance you want you can get the Savile Row touch right here in Dubai.

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