Savile Row Shake-up

Savile Row; where kings, presidents and other celebrities have had their suits tailored for centuries. Savile Row is more than a mere address. The central London shopping street is synonymous with the bespoke suit, the hallmark of the well-dressed British gentleman.

But now the custom-tailoring hub is in danger of losing its character. Some upscale gentleman's clothing retailers, hoping to attract wealthier clients, are trying to gain prestige by taking over some of the real estate that has been rented for centuries by traditional tailoring houses. Their efforts are driving up the rents for the shops and workshops and forcing some of the traditional houses to relocate or scale back their operations.

For the tailors of Savile Row their profession is not just a job, it’s a calling, and the encroachment by the retailers, who, in the tailors' eyes, are producing an inferior product, is an affront. In keeping with their British reserve, they are launching a subtle yet effective medial counterattack, informing the world about the standards for training and workmanship of the traditional business. Savile Row tailors earn their titles only after a 10-year apprenticeship with a master tailor. Richard Anderson is one of the masters on the Row. He calls the rich and the beautiful his clientele. The film focuses on his example to demonstrate the challenges of operating a centuries-old industry within the modern competitive marketplace.