Henry Poole & Co
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| Company type | Private [1] |
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| Industry | Retailer, bespoke tailoring |
| Founded | 1806 |
| Founder | James Poole |
| Headquarters | 15 Savile Row, London , England, UK |
Key people |
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| Products | Clothing, fashion |
| Website | henrypoole.com |
Henry Poole & Co. is a bespoke tailor located on Savile Row in London, United Kingdom. In the 1860s, it is widely-believed to have designed the first modern-style dinner jacket, according to specifications provided by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII).[2] Some call the company “the founding father of Savile Row”.[3] Its headquarters is at 15 Savile Row.
History
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The business first opened in Brunswick Square in 1806, originally specializing in military tailoring around the Battle of Waterloo. After the death of founder James Poole, it relocated to Savile Row in 1846. Henry Poole ran the business until his death in 1876, after which his cousin, Samuel Cundey, took over. The company has remained in the control of the Cundey family through five generations, with current chairman Simon Cundey having assumed the position after the passing of his father in August 2024.[4]
The company holds royal warrants of appointment and supplies the Lord Chamberlain’s office with court dress. Their livery department also created uniforms for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Origins of the tuxedo
[edit]In 1860, Henry Poole made a short evening or smoking jacket for the Prince of Wales to wear at informal dinner parties at Sandringham. In 1886, during a visit to London, the Prince invited James Potter of Tuxedo Park, New York, to spend a weekend at Sandringham House. He was advised that he could have a smoking jacket made by the Prince’s tailor, Henry Poole & Co.
When the Potters returned to New York, Potter wore his new smoking jacket to the Tuxedo Club. Fellow members quickly began having copies made for themselves, adopting the jacket as their informal uniform for club “stag” dinners. As a result, the dinner jacket became known as a tuxedo (or tux) in America.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Companies House Listing for HENRY POOLE AND COMPANY (SAVILE ROW) LIMITED". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ Journal, The Gentleman's. "A very brief history of the dinner jacket". www.thegentlemansjournal.com. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ Foulkes, Nicholas (11 January 2022). "Goodbye to Gieves & Hawkes?". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ "Godfather of the Row: Angus Cundey, MBE. 1937-2024". Savile Row Style Magazine. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
Further reading
[edit]- Stephen Howarth: Henry Poole: Founders of Savile Row - The Making of a Legend. Godalming: Bene Factum, 2003. ISBN 978-1-903071-06-9
External links
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- Clothing brands of the United Kingdom
- Clothing companies of England
- Clothing retailers of England
- British suit makers
- High fashion brands
- Savile Row Bespoke Association members
- Shops in London
- Buildings and structures in the City of Westminster
- Clothing companies based in London
- British companies established in 1806
- Retail companies established in 1806
- 1806 establishments in England
- British royal warrant holders