Gieves & Hawkes

Overview

Gieves & Hawkes is a luxury bespoke men's tailor and menswear retailer located at 1 Savile Row in London, specializing in bespoke tailoring, ready-to-wear collections, and military uniforms. Founded in 1771, it is one of the oldest continuous tailoring businesses in the world and holds royal warrants to the British Royal Family, having dressed every British monarch since 1799. The company serves both civilian and military clientele, with a global presence through retail locations and wholesale partnerships in premium department stores.

History

Gieves & Hawkes originated from two separate tailoring businesses: Gieves, an outfitter to the British Royal Navy, and Hawkes & Co., which supplied the British Army and purchased the iconic 1 Savile Row location in 1912. The two companies merged in 1974, creating Gieves & Hawkes and consolidating their freehold ownership of the Savile Row address. The company was acquired by Trinity Limited in 2012 and subsequently by Shandong Ruyi in 2017 through Trinity's parent company. Following Trinity's financial difficulties, Frasers Group acquired Gieves & Hawkes in November 2022.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Gieves & Hawkes maintains in-house tailoring operations at its 1 Savile Row headquarters, where master cutters and tailors produce bespoke garments. The company also sources ready-to-wear collections through manufacturing partnerships, with production distributed across multiple facilities to serve its global retail network of over 100 stores in Asia and locations across the UK, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan.

Notable Products

• Bespoke Savile Row Suit - Custom-tailored suits made to individual specifications by master cutters at the flagship 1 Savile Row location
• Military Dress Uniforms - Tailored uniforms for British armed forces and ceremonial bodies including the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms
• Ready-to-Wear Suit Collections - Seasonal menswear collections combining traditional tailoring with contemporary design
• Royal Warrant Garments - Formal wear and tailoring for members of the British Royal Family

Reputation

Gieves & Hawkes is regarded as one of the most prestigious tailoring houses on Savile Row, known for exceptional craftsmanship, heritage, and royal patronage. The brand maintains strong reputation among military personnel, diplomats, and affluent civilians seeking traditional British tailoring. Its 250-year history and continuous royal warrants establish credibility in luxury menswear, though some view the brand as conservative in design compared to contemporary tailoring innovators. The company's recent acquisition by Frasers Group has expanded its retail footprint, particularly in Asia, broadening its market reach beyond traditional Savile Row clientele.