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Henry Poole & Co

British gentleman's bespoke tailor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henry Poole & Comap

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.

Quick Facts Company type, Industry ...
Henry Poole & Co
Company typePrivate [1]
IndustryRetailer, bespoke tailoring
Founded1806; 219 years ago (1806)
FounderJames Poole
Headquarters15 Savile Row,
London
,
England, UK
Key people
  • Simon Cundey (director)
ProductsClothing, fashion
Websitehenrypoole.com
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History

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Customers examine the wares of Henry Poole and Co. in their 18th century showroom on Savile Row (1944)
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A view of the workroom at Henry Poole and Co., showing tailors at work on various types of jacket, including a naval officer's jacket, second from right on the rear row. The men are all sitting on the workbenches. (1944)

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

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.

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