The Past
A London street which has achieved international fame is Savile Row, the heart of English bespoke (custom) tailoring. Its fame can be traced back to James Poole who opened a linen drapers in Everett Street, Brunswick Square in 1806. By the time of the Battle of Waterloo, Pooles was making tunics and had set up as a military tailor. In 1822 he opened an emporium in 181 Regent Street and later made his headquarters at 4 Old Burlington Street. Upon his death in 1846, his son Henry enlarged the premises and built a palatial showroom with a new entrance opening onto the adjoining street of Savile Row, thus starting the long tradition of the Savile Row suit.
With Henry Poole’s death in 1876, his cousin Samuel Cundey took over and by now the firm had nearly every European crowned head on it s books. Pooles opened branches in Paris, Vienna and Berlin. By the early 1900’s, Henry Poole was the largest establishment of its type in the world, employing 300 tailors and 14 cutters.
When redevelopment in 1961 led to the demolition of their original building, Pooles were forced to move to a modern site in nearby Cork Street. In 1982, however, they were able to return to their traditional home and moved to a beautiful Victorian building at number 15 Savile Row.
