Words: Jemima Wilson
In association with:
The Gentleman’s Journal was delighted to be back at the highly-anticipated Concours on Savile Row for its second year, held on 24th – 25th May, to see The Row once again become a hub of activity, lined with exceptional, rare motors as well as a host of new and exclusive collaborations between tailors and car manufacturers.
Highlights included Bentley Motors and Huntsman revealing two new limited-edition bespoke models; Everrati and clothsurgeon displaying bespoke jackets inspired by the Everrati GT40; and an Audi e-tron GT wrapped in a Richard James’s design.
Other not-to-be-missed exhibits included George Harrison’s 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600; Paul McCartney’s Lamborghini 400GT; a 1952 Jaguar C-type – a rare car owned by Jenson Button; a Bentley 3 Litre Le Mans, dating back to 1922; plus the latest models from Lotus, Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin. Electric brands including Maeving, Tudor Black and Lunaz also presented an impressive selection of electric vehicles.
The main stage remained packed with fascinating free talks and special celebrity appearances and interviews over the two days. These featured David Gandy sharing his style secrets along with his love for classic cars; photographer Gered Mankowitz discussing working with Jimi Hendrix; as well as conversations with Savile Row legend Joe Morgan of Chittleborough & Morgan on ‘The Golden Age of Savile Row’; legendary race driver Jacky Ickx; and TV personality Drew Pritchard to name a few.
Many Savile Row tailoring houses also hosted a variety of interactive experiences, such as bespoke shirt cutting at Dege & Skinner, learning the secrets of pocket watch making with horologist Seth Kennedy at Henry Poole, a Lotus Car Configurator at The Deck London, and a simulator at Cad and The Dandy. Excitingly, for the first time ever, a new seminar ‘Cars as Art – The Investment Level Collector Cars That Transcend the Car Hobby and Become Rolling Works Of Art’ was presented at the Royal Academy, sponsored by Blick Rothenberg.
It’s safe to say Concours on Savile Row showed the famous tailoring street at its very best, all thanks to the support of Westminster City Council, The Pollen Estate, and sponsors EFG Private Bank, Chopard, RM Sotheby’s, Hagerty, FOPE, and Magneto.
Jenny Casebourne, Head of Portfolio at The Pollen Estate said: “Savile Row tailors have a long-standing relationship with the automotive industry, having created everything from driving suits and driving jackets to car interiors. What propels this relationship are the attributes that the collector car world and custom tailoring share: craftsmanship, beautiful design, high-quality materials, attention to detail and extremely discerning customers. Over the course of the two-day Concours on Savile Row, we witnessed a wonderful showcase of skill and artistry that is at the heart of both industries.”
The Hagerty Youth Judging partnered with Westminster City Lions for a second year – as part of a programme to engage young people in artistic partnerships across the borough – with a group of young City Lions being taught how to judge a car at Concours. The judging criteria considered design, history, originality and presentation (either preserved or restored).
The chosen winning car this year was a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 from a private collection, with a 1968 Lamborghini 400GT owned by Peter Read coming in second place, and a 1938 Delahaye 145 V12 by Chapron from the Mullin Automotive Museum in third place. A 1991 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack (the very last V8/ V8 Vantage/ X-Pack ever made) owned by Dylan Miles received an honourable mention.
We can’t wait to be back to see more magnificent cars and sartorial style next year! With a glass of Nyetimber in hand of course…
Want to read more about this year’s Savile Row Concours? Read our preview here…
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