foreword
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uality, innovation, creativity and personalized service have been Scabal’s watchwords since the company was established in 1938. Through the decades, Scabal has established its reputation by offering top-quality products – now available in more than 65 countries, they always reflect our mission to push our limits and never compromise on quality.
Since our beginnings, our passion has been the production of the finest fabrics, and the transformation of those same fabrics into personalized clothing. In a globalized world, it is essential to have complete confidence in the origins of the products you purchase. By choosing Scabal, you enjoy the invaluable benefits provided by a fully integrated company, with its own production facilities and full control of processes. Furthermore, you can be sure that we always put people and client service first. From our local beginning to international expansion, this corporate booklet introduces you to our brand and company. Welcome.
j.-peter thissen chairman scabal group
gregor thissen ceo scabal group
history THE BIR TH OF S C A BAL
Founded in Brussels, Belgium, by German entrepreneur Otto Hertz in 1938, Scabal is an acronym of:
Société Commerciale Anglo Belgo Allemande Luxembourgeoise Only five people worked for Scabal at the beginning and the small company started as a local men’s cloth supplier. Quickly, the brand became associated with innovation – in particular thanks to its ‘bunches’ invention. What seems now an obvious way of showing fabrics was, at the time, a transformation in the profession.
In 1973 Scabal made the acquisition of a leading fabrics mill in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, an area of England that had been historically recognised for its production of the finest fabrics. At Scabal’s mill technical innovations flourish and new qualities are constantly created, such as the first Super 120’s fabric, Lapis Lazuli (which has lapis lazuli fragments integrated into the weave), Diamond Chip (with fragments of diamonds) and the ultimate Super 250’s.
By 1950, Scabal was already recognized as a leading cloth supplier to the world’s master tailors. During the 1960s, Scabal established itself on the ‘mythical’ Savile Row, London, where ‘bespoke English tailoring’ had come into being three centuries earlier. Scabal’s choice of the premises underlines the brand’s double aim: international expansion, coupled with timeless ‘British’ elegance.
Historically, Scabal is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the ‘Superfine’ fabrics classification (Super 100’s, Super 120’s, etc.)
THE NE X T L E VEL
By 1970, Scabal was employing several hundred people throughout Europe, and the brand’s acclaim was growing. At this time, J.-Peter Thissen, Otto Hertz’s most valued associate, has been elected to manage the brand.
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‘Scabal’s choice of the premises underlines the brand’s double aim: international expansion, coupled with timeless ‘British’ elegance’
Gregor Thissen, CEO and his father J. Peter, Chairman
FULLY INTEGR ATED PROCE S S
S C A BAL TODAY
For several decades, Scabal had designed and produced luxury fabrics, distributed among the world’s leading tailors, designers and retailers. Then, in 1974, the brand began to produce and sell its own ready-to-wear suits.
Since 2006, Scabal’s CEO has been Gregor Thissen, the son of J.-Peter Thissen. From here onwards, father and son worked together on a daily basis, in both a family and international spirit. Scabal was constantly undergoing change, never losing sight of the fact that innovation had always been key to its success.
In 1989 Scabal acquired the Tailor Hoff factory, on the Franco-German border, and further developed its ‘made-to-measure’ project. A combination of an industrial clothing production and true artisanal know-how, Scabal changed the rules – it was a daring initiative, to create madeto-measure garments in a centralized workshop, offering a market leading range of personalization options in fewer than three weeks. The Scabal style was thus born – a traditional and timeless look, accentuated by the perfection of its cut and its range of more than 5,000 fabric choices.
The beginning of 2000 was marked by a new Scabal initiative concerning its own marketing, with a professional advertising agency now employed to design its advertising campaigns. It was also the time when Scabal took its first steps in the virtual world – multi-language internet sites, e-newsletters and online fabrics catalogues proved that the company is resolutely facing the future. In 2007, Scabal launched Bespoken, its own international magazine, to promote its vision of the ‘tailor-made’ gentleman’s lifestyle. In 2011 the new logo was born to reflect the harmony between the fabric and the finished products divisions.
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S C A BAL THROUGH THE Y E AR S
Otto Hertz starts his business in Brussels
Scabal officially launched
European growth of Scabal
Scabal enters US and Japanese markets
Arrival of J.-Peter Thissen
1938
1946
1950s
1970s
1970
Scabal purchases UK’s Bower Roebuck
Scabal ready-to-wear range launched
Tailor Hoff begins financial collaboration with Scabal
Scabal’s flagship store opens on Savile Row
Scabal’s accessories range launched
1973
1974
1989
1991
1994
Scabal marketing revolutionized, launch of e-Services
Gregor Thissen appointed Scabal CEO
The ultimate N°12 range launched
Bespoken magazine launched
The new logo launched
2000
2006
2006
2007
2011
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THE S C A BAL IMAG E
modern british luxury The world of fabrics is closely intertwined with England, from where Scabal has drawn inspiration. From the whirl of London, the site of its Savile Row flagship store, to the tranquillity of the countryside around Huddersfield, where Scabal’s mill is located, the British influence has given life to cloth and clothing of the very highest quality.
scope of activities Scabal is active in two aspects of the luxury clothing industry, and controls its entire production and marketing process: FA BRIC PRODUC TION
PRODUCER AND DISTRIBUTOR OF
AND DISTRIBUTION
R E A DY-TO - W E AR SUITS AND BE SPOK E
Scabal controls its entire fabrics-production process – from the selection of raw materials, innovation, development, design, weaving, quality control to the marketing of fabrics. The Scabal credo is ‘We never cut costs when it comes to materials.’ Only the noblest materials such as superfine wools, ranging from Super 100’s to Scabal’s own Super 250’s, cashmere, silk, cotton, linen and mohair provide the results and comfort worthy of the Scabal name. 5,000 different designs are sold internationally by Scabal and its representatives, who work with master tailors, designers and retailers.
ACCE S SORIE S
For more than 30 years, Scabal has developed its own measurement and production system for its made-to-measure garments, based entirely on clients’ choices. Today, Scabal’s 100 per cent European integrated process is the only one worldwide that boasts more than 5,000 fabrics and more than 200 personalization options. All Scabal products are exclusively manufactured in England, Italy and Germany.
‘We never cut costs when it comes to materials.’
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renowned products LUXURY FA BRIC S
MA DE- BY-YOU G ARMENTS
The production of the renowned Scabal fabrics results from the combination of the latest techniques on the one hand, and of artisanal craft on the other. Scabal’s luxury fabrics comprise: Sunrise (Super 200’s and silk), Summit (Super 250’s), Diamond Chip (Super 150’s and silk with diamond fragments), Treasure Box (Super 150’s with 24-carat gold and platinum thread), Lapis Lazuli (Super 150’s and cashmere with integrated lapis lazuli fragments), Private Line (monograms chosen by the customer and woven into the fabric), Pure Worsted Vicuña (100 per cent combed vicuña), Vicuña Jacketings (97 per cent vicuña and 3 per cent silk) and Expression (Super 200’s vicuña and chinchilla). These exclusive fabrics are almost entirely produced in Scabal’s mill located in Huddersfield, United Kingdom.
Personalisation is at the heart of Scabal. Suits, jackets, trousers, waistcoats, shirts and coats are available in many different styles with a delivery time of three weeks. To make your garment unique, Scabal offers many personalization options and an impressive fabric range to choose from. Choosing a made-to-measure suit is a guarantee of acquiring clothing of unequalled comfort. It’s also the freedom to personalize the smallest details of the garment such as your choice of lining and buttons, your name embroidered in the lining, open buttonholes and many other personalized options.
N °12
‘n°12’ is the ultimate range of Scabal’s madeto-measure suits. The collection is handcrafted according to the strict bespoke tailoring traditions of Savile Row. The name ‘Scabal n°12’ refers to the house number of Scabal’s flagship store on Savile Row. Suits are entirely cut by hand. Shaped shoulders and a tailored waist create a classy silhouette. All the parts, even the invisible ones, are prepared and sewn together by hand. Scabal attaches the greatest importance to details and finish, two typical elements of the noble tradition of bespoke tailoring.
ACCE S SORIE S
Scabal’s first range of accessories was launched more than 15 years ago. Handmade in Italy, these are characterized by their finish and the high quality of their raw materials: ostrich leather, calfskin, Egyptian cotton, silk, cashmere and so on. The collection includes shirts (ready-to-wear and made-to-measure), ties, gloves, scarves, knitwear and belts.
‘Renowned Scabal fabrics results from the combination of the latest techniques and of artisanal craft.’
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Summit: A never-seen-before Super 250’s quality
group structure
MOR E THAN 65 COUNTRIE S
That’s where Scabal can be purchased worldwide. In a controlled expansion, Scabal first built its European business before entering the USA and Japan in the 1970s, followed by the Middle East and Asia. ‘Think global, act local is the way we have done it’ says Gregor Thissen, CEO. The four main Scabal sites are located in western Europe. This strategic position guarantees high quality, good work conditions and fast deliveries.
FOUR MA IN EUROPE AN SITE S
The Fabrics Production Huddersfield, England
The Headquarters Brussels, Belgium
The Garments Production Saarbrücken, Germany
The Retail London, England
‘Think global, act local is the way we have done it’
S C A BAL’S MA JOR EUROPE AN LOC ATIONS
Savile Row flagship store, London
KaDeWe, Berlin
Printemps, Paris
PAR TNER SHOP S AND CORNER S
Al Akkad, Damascus
Kanyon, Istanbul
Caracas, Venezuela
Jakarta, Indonesia
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The ‘Scabal Shop Concept’ at 12 Savile Row, London
S C A BAL’S SHOP CONCEP T
The ‘Scabal Shop Concept’ is part of an international strategy to harmonize and promote Scabal’s image across the globe. The shop concept is based on the design of Scabal’s flagship store located in Savile Row, London. DISTRIBUTION NET WORK & OUTL ETS
The Scabal group comprises 12 companies working in more than 65 international markets, in Europe, Asia, North and South America and Middle East.
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Scabal’s products are distributed through a multi-channel network. That includes own stores, partner concessions, shop-in-shops, and obviously independent tailors and retailers.
scabal in the press Scabal is frequently visibile in national and international media, such as The Financial Times, Gentleman, NRC Handelblad, Monsieur, Sabato, Les Echos, Capital, Le Point, Le Figaro, International Herald Tribune, Twist, Reach, Robb Report, GQ, Esquire, The Big Black Book, Monocle, The Economist, etc. In order to support its international retail network and refine its brand image, Scabal never stops investing in marketing and advertising. Twice a year, Scabal launches its new season’s campaign, created with the help of international photographers, top-models and professional art directors. Scabal’s positioning in the luxury market is achieved through different marketing tools such as media advertising, direct marketing and events.
Whenever Scabal advertises and uses PR, the brand always trys to promote its two main divisions: the fabrics and the finished products, which are obviously closely linked, because the essential ingredient at the heart of the perfect suit is of course its fabric. The campaign pictured on the opposite page, is a good example – here, Scabal shows gentlemen with strong personalities who wear clothes made from fabrics that reflect their unique characters, with a short text to explain the fabrics’ proprieties and offer a little more information about each gentleman and his choice of fabrics. The result is a perfect blend of style and authenticity.
clients S C A BAL FA BRIC S B -TO - B CLIENTS
Smalto d’Avenza Yves Saint Laurent Harrods
Ralph Lauren Bergdorf Goodman Thom Browne Yves Saint Laurent
Caraceni Rubinacci Richard James Dries Van Noten
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Belvest Paul Zileri Saks Fifth Avenue ...
fabric n°702806
Scabal’s communication campaign
and
mr. natural
FAMOUS S C A BAL CUSTOMER S
Justin Timberlake A. Schwarzenegger Donald Trump
Tom Cruise David Beckham Pierce Brosnan
Barack Obama Robert Downey Jr. Robert De Niro
AND MANY MOR E ...
Michael Bloomberg Will Smith
Colin Firth Ben Ainslie
Boris Becker Lech Walesa
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Leonardo Di Caprio ‌
HOLLY WOOD LOV E S S C A BAL
Scabal is also known as being one of the most important fabric suppliers to Hollywood. The brand has provided fabrics for the following major productions:
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why scabal ?
E XPERIENCE
Over 70 years of experience in design, manufacture and distribution of luxury men’s fabrics to the world’s leading tailors, retailers and designers. E XCLUSIV E
The majority of Scabal’s fabrics are produced in its very own mill in Yorkshire, England, the traditional home of the international cloth industry. Scabal also works on an exclusive basis with other reputable mills specializing in luxury fabrics in both the United Kingdom and Italy. FINE ST R AW MATERIAL S
Silk, mohair, cashmere and wool from the world’s best producers are some of the finest raw materials used to create Scabal fabrics. Those raw materials are often purchased directly from the producers on an exclusive basis. QUALIT Y CONTROL S
Stringent checks are made at all stages of the production, from the spinning to weaving to finishing, right until the final control made in Scabal’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, by Scabal’ own experienced staff. VA ST STOCK
More then 5,000 different articles available at any one time from Scabal’s stock held in Brussels, with new collections containing over 400 designs, weight, shades and composition every 6 months. LUXURY
With a number of collections containing gold, diamonds, platinum, lapis lazuli stone as well as the world’s first and only Super 250’s and pure vicuña suiting, Scabal’s luxury offering is unparalleled. INNOVATIV E
Scabal is constantly pushing the technological boundaries in its attempt to create modern, desirable and practical fabrics. Technology, combined with traditional craftsmanship, prove a winning combination.
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www.scabal.com