Savile Row ‘tailored to weather Brexit storm’

The “godfather of Savile Row” today played down fears London's luxury menswear businesses will take a battering from the Brexit vote, and said the lucrative tailor industry will not be affected.

Angus Cundey MBE, the veteran chairman of Savile Row tailor Henry Poole & Co, told the Standard: “Despite the apparent world turmoil, I do not consider Brexit will in anyway damage Savile Row tailoring companies.”

His firm has been on the Mayfair street famous for sharp suits, ties and tuxedos since 1846, and has made suits for Winston Churchill and Charles Dickens.

Cundey who is also a member of the Savile Row Bespoke Association, said its trade with Europe has weakened over the last decade and now the US is its largest market followed by the UK. Japan and China are also growing markets.

He does not expect demand from this customer base to dry up.

Alan Bennett, the owner of another SRBA member, Davies & Son also flagged up that a weak pound “is good for business”.

Elsewhere on Savile Row, Brian Lewis a director at Meyer & Mortimer said: “Our customers are often business people in the financial sectors who want handmade suits and to look good. Domestic and overseas buyers are prepared to invest in quality clothes and that will not change regardless of whether the UK is in the EU.”

In 2015 the men’s clothing market grew by 4.1% to reach £14.1 billion, up from £11.4 billion in 2010.

Some experts have been concerned the referendum result could weaken Britain's image as welcoming for tourist shoppers.