At Wednesday evening’s special celebration of bespoke tailoring at the British Embassy to honor the opening of the embassy’s new Savile Row and America exhibition (a showcase of more than 200 garments and accessories from 17 leading Savile Row tailors and their relationships with the USA from 1850 to today), one legendary Savile Row tailor caused a collective gasp.
Huntsman, a premiere tailor of suits for both men and women for the last 160 years — and which is also now notable for its feature in the recent blockbuster film Kingsman, which was partially filmed at Huntsman — announced an ambitious expansion plan in the USA, including opening its first-ever premises in New York in Autumn 2015. This will be the company’s first Huntsman outpost beyond Savile Row.
Huntsman’s decision to open in New York was announced by Pierre Lagrange, the company’s owner and Non-Executive Chairman. He said: “We have spent the last two years improving the infrastructure within Huntsman, and are now determined to take the business onto the next level, both in London, America and Asia. As this show in Washington attests, America is very important to Savile Row in general, and Huntsman in particular. We have a phenomenal US heritage that includes legendary clients such as Gregory Peck and Katharine Hepburn, through to the present day elite of industry, banking, politics, sports and entertainment. It therefore makes total sense for the house to open in New York, in a space where we can privately host and provide an even better service to existing clients, as well as to attract new ones.”
The news was accompanied by the announcement of important senior appointments and recruitment, strengthening Huntsman’s pre-eminent position on the Row. Among that news: Dario Carnera, scion of a family of bespoke makers, has been promoted to co-Head Cutter, joining newly appointed head cutter Campbell Carey (previously of Kilgour, Hayward) who takes the additional role of Creative Director for Huntsman.
“With this appointment we will see the Huntsman British bespoke signature present throughout all our tailoring and accessories,” says Huntsman General Manager Carol Pierce.
A final addition to the Huntsman team is Robert Bailey, formerly Head Cutter at Davies and Son. Bailey will focus on bespoke clientele in Asia, setting his sights first on Japan and China, countries where the blockbuster film Kingsman has increased attention for Huntsman’s bespoke work.
