The leading cloth producers Fox Brothers and Dormeuil demonstrated the crucial part they play in maintaining Savile Row as the world centre of tailoring excellence by donating 300 metres of extremely valuable luxury cloth to tailoring students at Newham College.

The producers, both associate members of the Savile Row Bespoke Association, presented the cloth to students at a special event that coincided with the opening of the Tommy Nutter exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London on 19th October.

Newham College has worked in partnership with the Savile Row Bespoke Association since 2006 to train students for future employment in tailoring. More than 200 students have completed tailoring courses at the College and more than 30 of them are now employed on Savile Row.

Douglas Cordeaux, Managing Director of Fox Brothers, the historic West Country mill, presented 150 metres of grey charcoal merino herringbone jacketing cloth – enough to make 75 jackets - to the students.

Patrick Bunting of Dormeuil, the renowned 170 year-old cloth merchants, made an additional donation of another 150 metres of the best quality cloth.

Douglas Cordeaux, who trained in textile production and design, pledged further donations to Newham College and underlined the importance of its tailoring courses: “I was absolutely blown away by the students’ questions when I spoke to them earlier this year and knew that Fox Brothers had to be involved with Newham College. We are passionate about Savile Row and the nature of training given to young talent in this country and give our full support to Newham College.”

Patrick Bunting added: “We want the students to be able to work with the finest cloth in the world.”

Chris Hall, Newham College’s head of fashion and tailoring, concluded: “Our relationship with Savile Row is terrific. Savile Row is a world-class brand and together we have helped young people develop world-class skills. I’m extremely proud to see our students working in tailoring, contributing to the great heritage of Savile Row.”

Pictures by Kirstine Sinclair.