Henry Poole & Co: A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Style

Henry Poole & Co is a name that has been synonymous with high-quality tailoring for over 180 years. Founded in 1826, the company has a rich history of producing exquisite garments that exude style and sophistication.

The company's early success can be attributed to its innovative approach to tailoring, which emphasized the importance of fit and comfort. This focus on the customer's needs helped establish Henry Poole & Co as a trusted and respected name in the industry.

One of the company's most notable achievements is being credited with creating the first dinner jacket, also known as a tuxedo, in the 1880s. This iconic garment has since become a staple in men's formal wear.

Henry Poole & Co is a historic tailor's shop on Savile Row that has been serving the elite since 1846. It was founded by Mr. Poole, who would serve claret and cigars to friends like the Prince of Wales and Baron Meyer de Rothschild.

The shop has a long history of dressing royalty and nobility, with customers including Benjamin Disraeli, Charles Dickens, and Emperor Hirohito. Each customer is measured by hand, and their suit is constructed by many hands with a minimum of 54 hours of work.

Henry Poole & Co is one of the few tailors on Savile Row dedicated to hand-making bespoke suits. Today, you can walk in the footsteps of kings, prime ministers, and presidents when you visit the shop.

The shop is known for its high-quality craftsmanship, with each suit taking an average of three months to perfect. In addition to City suits and formal dress, Henry Poole & Co also has a Livery Department and tailors the velvet Court Dress designed by Henry Poole's father James in 1837.

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Henry Poole & Co's early years were marked by a strong foundation and a commitment to excellence. James Poole started the business in 1806, catering to officers returning from the Napoleonic Wars.

The business quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality military attire. James Poole's son Henry took over the firm in 1846 after his father's passing.

Henry Poole & Co relocated to Savile Row in the mid-1800s, a move that would anchor the company at the epicenter of elite British tailoring. The street was a quiet residential road back then, ideal for high-end businesses looking for privacy and prestige.

Under Henry's leadership, the company expanded its client base beyond military men to include royalty, nobility, and high society. The name Poole became synonymous with sartorial precision and discretion.

The firm's workshops introduced a level of meticulous handcrafting that would define the "Savile Row method". This included full-canvas construction, hand-stitched buttonholes, and multiple fittings for a garment that wears like a second skin.

Henry Poole & Co's Royal Connections are truly impressive. They earned their first Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1869.

The company's clientele reads like a who's who of 19th-century European power, with commissions from Emperor Napoleon III, Czar Alexander II of Russia, and King Edward VII, among others.

Having a Royal Warrant is a big deal, and it means Henry Poole & Co was making clothes that were fit for royalty.

Savile Row is synonymous with world-class tailoring, but did you know that back in the day, the street was a quiet residential road? It was the perfect spot for high-end businesses like Henry Poole & Co to set up shop.

The firm's early presence on Savile Row sparked a tailoring revolution, introducing a level of meticulous handcrafting that would define the "Savile Row method." This includes full-canvas construction, hand-stitched buttonholes, and multiple fittings for a garment that wears like a second skin.

A Poole suit is more than just a piece of clothing – it's a statement, a piece of wearable history, and a slice of personal legacy. If cared for, it could outlive you.

If you're in the market for a tuxedo, you'll want to consider a Savile Row-style tuxedo, which features full-canvas construction and hand-stitched buttonholes. This level of craftsmanship is what sets a Poole suit apart from the rest.

The Golden Age of Henry Poole & Co was a time of great change and innovation. This was an era when the company dressed some of the most influential men in history, including Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, and William Gladstone.

These men were not just figures of status, but also shapers of history. They wore garments crafted on Savile Row, which is a testament to the company's dedication to excellence.

Customer ledgers dating back to the 19th century are still preserved at Henry Poole and Co today. Each name in these ledgers is a portal to another era, and each measurement is a frozen moment in fashion.

Walking into Henry Poole and Co is like stepping into the past, with its meticulously preserved customer ledgers and frozen moments in fashion.

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At Henry Poole & Co, craftsmanship is a revered tradition that's been passed down through generations. The house trains its apprentices rigorously, with some spending over a decade learning the intricacies of their craft.

The attention to detail is staggering, with a single Henry Poole suit requiring over 50 hours of handwork. This is slow fashion at its finest, with no mass production or offshore factories in sight.

The level of customization is remarkable, with each client's pattern drafted entirely from scratch. This ensures a perfect fit, taking into account the client's posture and other individual needs.

Here's a breakdown of what goes into a Henry Poole suit:

A Henry Poole suit is a testament to the art of slow fashion, with over 50 hours of handwork going into each jacket. This level of dedication is a far cry from the mass production methods that dominate the industry today.

The craftsmanship involved in creating a Henry Poole suit is staggering, with over 5000 individual stitches per jacket. Each stitch is a testament to the skill and attention to detail of the cutter and tailor.

The process of creating a Henry Poole suit is a labor of love that requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of the client's needs. The house trains its apprentices rigorously, some for over a decade, to ensure that institutional knowledge is passed down and refined with each generation.

The level of customization involved in creating a Henry Poole suit is unparalleled. Each client receives a pattern drafted entirely from scratch, tailored to their unique measurements and posture.

Here's a breakdown of the time and effort that goes into creating a Henry Poole suit:

The 170th Anniversary Cloth is a luxurious black/blue spot super 100s worsted cloth.

It's ideal for that sharp business look, and a perfect weight to wear throughout the year.

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Henry Poole & Co has been a stalwart of British fashion for over a century, weathering many storms along the way.

Two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the rise of fast fashion all threatened to sink traditional tailoring, but the firm didn't just survive - it evolved.

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By the late 20th century, there was a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, and Henry Poole leaned into its heritage while modernizing its cuts and fabrics.

Today, the firm serves a new breed of clients: entrepreneurs, creatives, and international leaders who respect tradition but demand originality.

In fact, Henry Poole was one of the few businesses to survive the wars, and it continued to thrive even when forced to vacate Savile Row in 1961.

The brand decamped to nearby Cork Street, where it stayed until 1982, when it returned triumphantly to its iconic location at No. 15.

During this time, Henry Poole became the first Savile Row tailor to crack Japan, selling its luxury suits in high-end department stores across the country.

The brand even expanded into China, opening stores in Beijing and Hangzhou, and its trunk shows traveled the world, showcasing its high-quality garments to discerning clients.

Henry Poole's commitment to quality is evident in its refined materials and fabrics, which now number a modest 6,000, sourced from the finest mills in the UK and abroad.

From luxury worsted cashmere to rich flannels and fine tweeds, every detail is carefully considered to ensure the highest standards of craftsmanship.

Despite its long history, Henry Poole is not afraid to innovate and collaborate with other brands, as seen in its recent partnerships with Adidas, Canada Goose, and Aston Martin.

These collaborations have resulted in truly unique and modern designs, such as the Primeknit NMD sneakers and the down-filled blazer for the global traveller.

Savile Row is practically shorthand for world-class tailoring, but its history is rich and understated. It was a quiet residential road, ideal for high-end businesses looking for privacy and prestige.

The Savile Row method is defined by meticulous handcrafting, including full-canvas construction, hand-stitched buttonholes, and multiple fittings for a garment that wears like a second skin.

Walking into Henry Poole & Co today, you'll notice the atmosphere is one of reverence, with tailors whispering measurements and drawing chalk lines with precision that borders on art.

A Poole suit is more than just a garment – it's a statement, a piece of wearable history, and a slice of personal legacy that can outlive you.

By 1846, Henry Poole had taken the reins of the business, expanding it across the world. He attracted the custom of aristocracy, including Emperor Napoleon and Queen Victoria.

Henry Poole's business became a social hub, especially after King Edward VII became a customer, leading to the opening of a palatial showroom on Savile Row. This move helped establish the brand as a major player in the industry.

The business continued to grow under Henry Poole's leadership, with his cousin Samuel Cundy taking over after his death. Cundy led the business to new heights, opening branches in Paris, Vienna, and Berlin, and dressing every major head of state in Europe.

In 1865, Henry Poole's business invented the dinner jacket, which became a staple in formal wear. The dinner jacket was born out of a request from the then-Prince of Wales for a short evening coat to wear for informal dinners at Sandringham.

During World War I, customers preparing for battle turned to Henry Poole with some unusual requests.

The 9th Duke of Marlborough ordered a khaki whipcord service jacket lined with fleece and a fur-lined camel great coat as the war began.

Count Larisch, an extravagant nobleman, had the firm send him a stock of Floris perfume and Briggs hats to Austria.

In 1915, Henry Poole provided the 5th Earl of Onslow with a revolver folded up inside his made-to-order khaki service jacket.

Henry Poole was on the front line, providing essential services to those preparing for battle.

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Henry Poole has joined forces with some big names in recent years. The brand collaborated with Adidas to create a pair of Primeknit NMD sneakers.

These sneakers were crafted from unique materials, including midnight blue 'Tuxedo' fabric and 'three-chalkstripe' material. They're a far cry from traditional suiting, but still embody the brand's style.

The collaboration with Canada Goose pushed the boundaries of outerwear, creating a new down-filled blazer for the global traveller and urban adventurer. This unexpected treat shows that Henry Poole is willing to take risks.

The partnership with Aston Martin was a masterclass in British brand partnerships, creating perfectly trimmed seats for the carmaker's Vision Concept.

Winston Churchill was a long-time customer of Henry Poole & Co, with a relationship that spanned over four decades from 1903 to the outbreak of World War II.

Churchill's father, Sir Randolph Churchill, introduced him to the house, which was a notable connection given Sir Randolph's own history as a customer.

Sir Winston Churchill spent in excess of £80,000 in today's money at Poole's during his time as a customer.

The inspiration for the exclusive Churchill cloth, a grey chalk stripe flannel, came from an image of Churchill wearing a Henry Poole suit while holding a Tommy gun.

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Henry Poole & Co has a rich history of creating traditional British tailoring. The company's heritage dates back to 1832.

One of the most iconic house traditions is the bespoke suit, which has been a staple of the company's offerings for over 180 years. The bespoke suit is tailored to individual measurements, ensuring a perfect fit for each customer.

Henry Poole & Co's bespoke suits are made from the finest materials, including wool, cashmere, and silk. These high-quality fabrics are sourced from around the world to ensure the best possible quality.

The company's commitment to tradition extends to its use of time-honored techniques, such as hand-stitching and hand-finishing. These traditional methods require great skill and patience, but result in a truly exceptional product.

The bespoke suit is not just a garment, but a work of art that reflects the individuality of its wearer. At Henry Poole & Co, every suit is a testament to the company's dedication to excellence and tradition.

Henry Poole & Co has been a leading name in the fashion industry for over 175 years, with a legacy that spans from dressing royalty to creating iconic designs.

The company's iconic design, the Tuxedo, was created in the 1880s for Prince Edward, later King Edward VII.

Henry Poole & Co's ability to cater to the needs of its high-end clients has been a key factor in its success, with the company's bespoke tailoring services allowing clients to create one-of-a-kind garments.

The company's commitment to quality and craftsmanship is evident in its use of high-quality materials and attention to detail, as seen in the example of the bespoke suit made for the Duke of Marlborough.

Henry Poole & Co's influence on the fashion industry extends beyond its bespoke tailoring services, with the company's designs and innovations having a lasting impact on the world of fashion.

The company's legacy continues to be felt today, with Henry Poole & Co remaining a respected and renowned name in the fashion industry.