CAMPAIGN
A
tiny part of France is responsible for the world’s entire champagne supply. Thanks to a strict geographical indicator (GI) anything made outside that region, and not made according to appellation
rules, has to be labelled sparkling wine or perhaps Prosecco. Now, thanks to some impressive work from the Savile Row Bespoke Association (SRB), in association with Harris Tweed Authority, Savile Row might soon be able to be equally protective about its name and references to bespoke tailoring. Dege & Skinner’s Managing Director William Skinner, Chairman of SRB, has been working with Angus Cundey of Henry Poole to champion this landmark case for Savile Row. Not surprisingly for a man who has spent most of his life on the Row, “I think I first started working here when I was seven – I would be given the job of counting the buttons at the annual stocktake”, Skinner is passionate about protecting the name. “Preserving the quality of the bespoke tailoring that is cut and made on Savile Row, as well as protecting Savile Row's well-earned reputation for sartorial excellence, is fundamental for our tailors to thrive,” said Skinner. “Members of the Savile Row Bespoke Association are experiencing significant increases in counterfeiting in key foreign markets and fighting such infringements is proving to be extremely costly for individual companies. Enforcement of GI status at the EU level would help protect the valuable IP of our members, and promote the continuation of Savile Row as a thriving centre of excellence for bespoke tailoring for men.” The Savile Row case is making headlines across
Europe because if it is successful it will be the first time GI has been awarded to a non-food product. It already has a proven track record with the likes of Champagne, Parma Ham and Stilton, and William Skinner believes that GI status can be just as effective for bespoke tailoring. “GI will strengthen the name of Savile Row and what we do as a trade and also stop people trying to jump on the bandwagon saying that they are Savile Row tailors when they are not. It will cut out any misuse of the name. “Although we are still in the early stages, the more
I look at it the more I can see how it will assist our industry. I am sure it will benefit the apprentices as they are tied to a Savile Row house and if that is covered by GI protection then they are the only people who can call themselves Savile Row tailors.” The apprentice scheme is already an SRB success The Association oversees the training of the
story.
apprentices, the standards and awards that are given for our tailoring courses and ensures that apprentices receive a certificate after their training. “That never used to happen apart from the days of the Tailor and Cutter Academy,” explains Skinner. “A certificate gives them something to strive for and the youngsters R
32 SAVILE ROW STYLE MAGAZINE
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