With the future of the finest handcrafted tailoring in mind, a panel of five master tailors met at 19 Savile Row – the home of Savile Row Bespoke Association (SRBA) member and training partner The London Academy of Bespoke (LAB) – on June 17^th to examine the work of four apprentices from three of our street’s member houses. The aim was to confirm and endorse the submissions by the houses for the Savile Row Bespoke diploma – now in its 18^th year and internationally recognised as the very finest formal qualification in tailoring.

Submissions included a first baste, a forward baste and a completed garment. A portfolio of work and exercises carried out during the apprenticeship, including evidence of the completion of each step in the diploma requirements, were also presented.

The work was judged as outstanding and each apprentice was confirmed for the diploma presentation ceremony at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, which was hosted by the Bespoke Tailors Benevolent Association on July 11^th.

The successful apprentices were Wendy Barberi, coat-maker, of Henry Poole & Co, Mateusz Gutowski, trouser-maker, of H. Huntsman & Son, Gerson Henao Hoyos, coat-maker, of Henry Poole & Co and Oliver Newton, coat-maker, of Norton & Son.

The panel of master-tailors comprised Philip Parker of Henry Poole and Victoria Townsend, the founder of LAB (both of whom acted as adjudicators), Joe Morgan of Chittleborough & Morgan, Dario Carnera of Kent & Haste and Saad Ktifi of Dege & Skinner. Of course, following best-practise, Philip Parker stood aside during the judging of the work of the two apprentices from Henry Poole.