Saville Row Apprentice wins Golden Shears Award 2019
The biannual award seeks to reward tailors for their sartorial skills and sees 24 hopefuls vying for the £3000 prize money and a propitious future in tailoring.
Winners selected by panel, including Jodie Kidd and David Gandy
Dubbed ‘the Oscars of the Tailoring Trade’ by the Financial Times, The Golden Shears Award 2019 was held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London, on 18th March.
A fixture on the fashion calendar since the 1970s, this year’s judges included David Gandy, Jodie Kidd, Tom Stubbs and Joe Ottaway.
Savile Row’s Maurice Sedwell apprentice, Rachel Singer, scooped the top prize with an elegantly double-breasted Prince of Wales checked, tailored suit, accompanied by a distinctly chic cappuccino wool coat.
Runner-up, Edward Jones, a student at UCA, received the Silver Shears and £2,000, whilst Sophie Weller, an apprentice at Dunhill, Mayfair, claimed the Rising Star award and £2,000.
This year the support for the Golden Shears Awards came from the Merchant Tailors’ Company, CAPITB Trust, the Woolmen Company and Pollen Estates.Further support was given by the London College of Fashion and The Textile Institute Tailoring Special Interest Group.
Robert Bright MBE CText FTI FCFI, then-President of the Federation of Merchant Taylors, founded The Golden Shears Competition for the UK’s top tailor in 1974. He designed The Golden Shears trophy, with assistance from the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors’, suitably mounted in Mahogany – the traditional wooden top of the work benches. The competition developed into an award for the top City & Guilds Tailoring examination results.
In 1998 the current format for the Golden Shears Awards evolved featuring the Golden, Silver and Rising Star Shears.
With a thriving tailoring resurgence, The Golden Shears is a seamless opportunity to celebrate the UK’s triumphant couture.
The Technical Judges:
Antonia Ede Founder of Montague Ede, West End of London
Will Adams Head Cutter at Kilgour, Savile Row
Joe Morgan Owner & Master Cutter at Chittleborough & Morgan, Savile Row
Jonathan Becker Director and Master Cutter at Couch & Hoskin, City of London
Davide Taub Head Cutter at Gieves & Hawkes, Savile Row
The Style Judges:
David Gandy Menswear Model and Ambassador for Tailoring
Jodie Kidd Model and Television Presenter
Mich Turner The Queen of Couture Cakes, owner of The Little Venice Cake Co
Tom Stubbs Menswear Stylist and Writer
Joe Ottwa Men’s Stylist
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