Sean Dixon from Richard James on the future of London's Savile Row

Evening Standard

Transcript

00:00 My name is Sean Dixon. I'm the co-founder and managing director of Richard James.

00:05 We are currently in our store on 19 Clifford Street, corner of Savile Row,

00:10 and it's our brand new ready-to-wear bespoke store.

00:16 You know, the ground floor is much more of a retail environment,

00:19 but the first floor where we are now is much more of a kind of experience.

00:24 You know, I always relate kind of having a bespoke suit almost like a spa treatment.

00:30 For men, you know, we quite often get PAs making appointments for their boss.

00:37 You know, he's only got 15 minutes, but, you know,

00:41 they end up spending an hour, an hour and a half, and that's what we want to, you know, create.

00:47 And also I think it's important if people, even if they're coming in for

00:50 just a t-shirt or a piece of knitwear on the ground floor,

00:54 we still want them to come upstairs, have a look around, see how it works.

00:57 You know, we've got patterns, we would have things being made.

01:00 We want people to see that.

01:02 You know, when I first started in Savile Row, I was intimidated by Savile Row.

01:07 I found it a very intimidating place, you know, and you kind of associated Savile Row

01:12 with kind of old, fusty aristocrats would turn up in their chauffeur-driven Rolls Royces

01:16 and come and have their suits made.

01:18 And to a certain extent, it was a bit like that and probably still is.

01:21 But also, don't forget the Beatles had their office down the road.

01:25 You know, they were having their suits made, you know, on Savile Row

01:28 and every kind of 60s and 70s pop star were still coming here.

01:33 You know, it's not just about that.

01:35 There was a modern history and we've, you know,

01:36 and I think that needs to be recognized all the way through.

01:38 It's always been relevant.

01:40 You know, tailoring is inherently an experience-based purchase because,

01:45 you know, when you're trying on a suit,

01:47 it's ideal to have someone there helping you through that process.

01:50 So there's the experience.

01:51 But bespoke and made-to-measure, even more so, you know,

01:54 it's a collaborative choice.

01:58 You kind of work with a cutter or a sales associate

02:04 who then helps you make a choice.

02:06 But also, you have input with that.

02:08 And so we need an environment that reflected that

02:10 and also just create an environment where people feel comfortable

02:14 and want to spend time.

02:14 Fashion is under the microscope in terms of sustainability,

02:18 you know, and what that does and what that's doing to the environment.

02:23 I think Cerro Rollo is in a good place to answer some of those questions,

02:27 especially if you have a bespoke suit made.

02:29 Okay, it's very expensive in the big scheme of things,

02:33 but it's made by hand.

02:35 It's made specifically for you.

02:37 There's no wastage.

02:38 It's using absolutely the best quality materials and natural materials.

02:44 And it does, and it's another tired old cliche,

02:48 it does last a lifetime.

02:49 You know, you look after it.

02:50 So, you know, it's built in sustainable, a bespoke suit.

02:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]

Category

Transcript

Recommended