LFW: Celebrating 50 Years of Tailoring Excellence at Savile Row’s Golden Shears Exhibition

By JoJo Iles, Editor, FashionCapital.co.uk

I had the pleasure of attending the press view for the ‘Savile Row Celebrates 50 Years of the Golden Shears Awards’ exhibition on 19th September, aligned with the start of London Fashion Week SS26. As someone who has covered the fashion industry for many years, it was truly inspiring to be surrounded by the rich heritage, artistry, and future potential of British tailoring.

Held across Savile Row, the exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the Golden Shears Awards, often dubbed the Oscars of the tailoring world. For five decades, this prestigious competition has championed the skill, precision, and innovation of student designers and apprentice tailors from all corners of the UK. And what better setting than the iconic Savile Row to showcase the very best of British bespoke?

Walking along the Row, I was drawn into the window displays of legendary tailoring houses such as Huntsman, Henry Poole & Co, Dege & Skinner, Richard James, Knatchbull, and clothsurgeon – each offering a glimpse into past Golden Shears winning entries and their remarkable craftsmanship. The showcase not only honours past winners but also reaffirms the tailoring community’s deep commitment to nurturing new talent through apprenticeships and training.

(Golden Shears First Prize – Joanna Spreadbury tailoring on the catwalk)

The highlight for me was seeing the work of Joanna Spreadbury, this year’s Golden Shears winner and an apprentice at Huntsman. Her design, a contemporary double-breasted suit incorporating pleated panels and pockets, brought a fresh perspective to traditional tailoring. It perfectly captured the essence of what the awards are about: honouring the past while innovating for the future. While the two runners up – Tilda Jonathan and Kasia Hughes, ensured 2025 was a strong year for female tailors.

(Golden Shears First Prize – Joanna Spreadbury)

Savile Row, long celebrated for its sartorial excellence, felt especially alive during this press preview. This exhibition underscores its relevance in today’s fashion landscape and why British tailoring deserves to stand proudly on the London Fashion Week stage alongside global fashion powerhouses such as Burberry.

(Golden Shears 2025 Third Prize: Kasia Hughes)

The exhibition extends beyond the shopfronts too. The London Academy of Bespoke, located at 19 Savile Row, is hosting a dedicated two-week exhibition showcasing the history of the Golden Shears and the journeys of past winners. It’s a deep dive into how these awards have shaped the careers of many, including Roxanne Jones (winner in 2007) and Emily Squires (winner in 2013), who are now key figures in bespoke tailoring at Dege & Skinner and Henry Poole & Co respectively.

Both shared moving testimonials about how entering the competition gave them creative freedom and the confidence to express their unique tailoring styles. Their stories, along with that of Mila Dastugue, 2023’s winner, are living proof that the Golden Shears doesn’t just spotlight talent – it helps shape careers.

(Golden Shears 2025 Wendy Berberi)

The entire celebration has been made possible thanks to The Pollen Estate, long-time supporters of the Golden Shears and patrons of the British Fashion Council, alongside the Savile Row Bespoke Association. As Jenny Casebourne, Head of Portfolio at The Pollen Estate, put it: “We hope this inspires young creative talent to enter a career in tailoring.”

I couldn’t agree more. At a time when fast fashion dominates headlines, it’s refreshing to see such a strong commitment to craft, quality, and heritage. The Golden Shears Awards, now in their 50th year, continue to be a vital platform for the next generation of British fashion talent.

If you’re in London over the next week, I highly recommend taking a stroll down Savile Row to see this remarkable exhibition. It’s more than a showcase – it’s a celebration of passion, precision, and perseverance, plus it is free to attend.

(Savile Row windows featuring Golden Shears tailoring)

Savile Row Celebrates 50 Years of The Golden Shears Awards is on until Saturday 27 September 2025 

A dedicated exhibition can be found at The London Academy of Bespoke (The LAB), 19 Savile Row. Window displays along Savile Row include: Gaziano & Girling, Davies & Son, Dege & Skinner, Norton & Son’s, Richard Anderson, Richard James, Edward Sexton, Knatchbull, clothsurgeon, Huntsman, Henry Poole & Co., Holland & Sherry, Gieves & Hawkes, Hackett, Scabal, Cad and The Dandy and The Service. 

To find out more tap here.