Kathryn Sargent has become the first woman to set up shop with her name “above the door” on Savile Row.
Sargent is a trained cutter and tailor, but till now the customer-facing part of the business has been done by a man.
She notes that women have always played a part in Savile Row, but usually behind the scenes in the sewing rooms doing buttonholing and edge-stitching. Sargent has broken the mould in having her own brand and representing her company, located at 37 Savile Row.
Her bespoke suits start at £4,200 and her made-to-measure ones from £1,500. Thirty per cent of her customers are expected to be women.
Philip Parker, vice-chairman of Henry Poole & Co., also on Savile Row, says that ‘it is absolutely right’ to see a woman’s name on Savile Row.
Henry Poole & Co. had considered employing Sargent as an assistant cutter, although that job ultimately went to a man.
Sargent is trialling the tenancy through the summer, till the end of August.
She had already made history before: in 2009, she was the first female master tailor on Savile Row while working for Gieves & Hawkes. She already has an impressive résumé, having dressed royalty, politicians and celebrities, including David Beckham and Robbie Williams.