No.1 Savile Row

No.1 Savile Row began its life as a grand London townhouse, designed by the architect William Kent. Originally home to Lord Fairfax, royal commissioner of customs for King George III, the building has served as a distinguished address close to the Court of St. James's for nearly three centuries.

Passing into the possession of the Dukes of Devonshire in 1756, No.1 provided one of the finest addresses in London. The building's elegant proportions and classical detailing reflected the taste and ambition of its earliest occupants, establishing the character that endures to this day.

From 1870, No.1 Savile Row served as the headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society. Within its walls, some of the greatest expeditions in history were planned and debated, from the exploration of Africa to the race for the poles.

The famous Map Room, which survives within the building today, is a direct link to this extraordinary chapter. It was here that the world's most ambitious journeys were charted, and where the boundaries of the known world were redrawn.

In 1913, Hawkes & Co, the most prestigious military and court tailors in London, purchased No.1 Savile Row. It was a move that would define the street itself, establishing Savile Row as the global epicentre of fine tailoring.

From this address, Hawkes dressed the wealthiest and most powerful figures of the age, from Royal Dukes to the political, aristocratic and military establishment. The building became synonymous with London style and the very highest standards of the tailor's art.

Gieves' acquisition of Hawkes in 1974 brought together two of Britain's most celebrated tailoring houses under one roof. Their subsequent relocation to No.1 Savile Row in 1975 firmly endorsed the combined company's commitment to the craft of traditional bespoke tailoring.

The union brought together Gieves' unrivalled naval heritage with Hawkes' distinguished military and court credentials, creating a house with a breadth of expertise unmatched anywhere on Savile Row.

In 2014, the William Kent designed townhouse underwent a comprehensive refurbishment, adding a sophisticated, masculine and more contemporary atmosphere that adapted to the changing lifestyles of Gieves & Hawkes' clients.

Today, No.1 Savile Row houses a full bespoke workshop, made to measure and military departments, and archive rooms under one roof, alongside seasonal ready to wear collections. It remains the spiritual home of the house and the beating heart of everything Gieves & Hawkes stands for.