Sustainability on Savile Row

THE ULTIMATE in product sustainability is long life – and that’s what both classic cars and Savile Row tailoring are all about.

The first of these examples is clear: it often takes as much energy to make a car in the first place as said vehicle uses in its lifetime, and then there are the raw materials to consider on top of that. So many classics will have been through periods during which they have been used rather than being scrapped and replaced by a newer model. And keeping them in the best condition is usually entrusted to local craftsmen using age-old skills. But tailoring? Perhaps it is not immediately obvious – until you consider that tailored suits are intended to last for generations, handed down from one to the next. Unlike fast-fashion items they are made to last, and are constructed in a way that allows the tailors to adjust them up to three sizes either way – allowing a Savile Row suit to be adapted to your changing body shape. Just as importantly, the materials used are always sourced from recognised, ethical suppliers. The tailoring process is usually local, in workshops either on the Savile Row premises or nearby, using skilled staff who are adept at the most efficient use of the cloth. Any leftovers tend to be donated to fashion schools, and most materials are recyclable anyway; many are also naturally sourced.

Even the tailoring process itself has a low carbon footprint, because so much of it is by hand. The majority of tailors make use of sewing machines only for areas that require extra reinforcement, with a typical example being just 20 minutes of sewing-machine use for a suit that takes 60 hours or more to create.

In both industries, the traditional skills required are being passed down to new generations via apprenticeship schemes and in-house training. Speak with the tailors and with representatives of the Association of Heritage Engineers at the Concours to find out more on learning these crafts.