Edward Sexton
Encyclopedia
Edward Sexton is a British Savile Row
tailor, fashion designer and manufacturing consultant. Sexton has been called a key player in the history of Savile Row.
) from 1953–1957. Leaving school, Sexton went to work at Lew Rose (in 1957), a suit manufacturing factory in East London, where he received his initial training. Lew Rose operated a section production system; Sexton progressed around each section developing basic tailoring skills.
In 1959, Sexton went to work as an apprentice for Jerry Vanderstine, a coat maker who worked for Harry Hall (specialist equestrian tailor on Regent Street
, London). In 1959 John Oates, the head cutter at Harry Hall, then asked Sexton to come and work as an assistant cutter and trimmer. In 1961 Sexton worked at Cyril A. Castle, a celebrity tailor, as an assistant jacket-cutter and trouser-cutter. While working at Cyril A. Castle, Sexton got his first position of responsibility on the cutting board and put himself through a pattern cutting course at Burner Street Technical College (later to become part of the London College of Fashion).
In 1962, Sexton moved to Kilgour French and Stanbury, where he finished his training. In 1966 Sexton got his first job as a fully-fledged cutter at (military tailor) Welsh and Jefferies , where he honed his skills cutting both military and civilian tailoring. Sexton made trips to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
to make uniforms for officers passing. Sexton believed this experience proved invaluable to the work he would later produce.
. Nutter quickly recognised Sexton’s talent and they started working together for private clients. Through this work they began to develop a style (a waisted and flared jacket with wide lapels and parallel trousers) which was to evolve over the years. Nutter was very handsome and always impeccably dressed, and quickly drew clients from his social circle, which was growing in size and influence.
On 14th February 1969, Edward Sexton and Tommy Nutter opened Nutters of Savile Row at No. 35a Savile Row
, with the backing of Cilla Black
, Bobby Willis
, James Vallance White and Peter Brown (music industry)
. This was the first new Savile Row establishment in 120 years.
Nutter was the creative force and front of house focus, while Sexton was a traditional bespoke master cutter who created the garments. It has been said that “Sexton was the genius behind Nutters.” In 1976 Tommy left Nutters of Savile Row and Sexton became managing director.
Sexton remained managing director until 1982, when he moved from 35a to 36-37 Savile Row and changed the name of the business to Edward Sexton.
. Sexton continues to operate, by appointment only, from a studio on Beauchamp Place, producing bespoke tailoring for both men and women. Bespoke shirts and an exclusive selection of accessories for his customers offer a complete Sexton 'look'.
as Cary Grant and Anthony Peck, as well as Farrah Fawcett
of made to measure suits and ready to wear tailoring: shirts, ties, socks, canes, hats, pocket squares and ascots.
In 1997, when Stella took over from Karl Lagerfeld
, as creative director she “relied on” Sexton to create her first Paris collection. Sexton worked for Chloe as a consultant and continued tutoring Stella in cutting, design, fabric selection and tailoring. 1999 Sexton refused to renew his contract with Chloe, so he could spend more time in London seeing the bespoke clients he had been neglecting. The fashion industry did not credit Stella for the initial success of Chloe, but instead acknowledged Sexton's contributions.
In the interests of their privacy, Sexton does not like to discuss his clients. Notable clients include:
Savile Row
Savile Row is a shopping street in Mayfair, central London, famous for its traditional men's bespoke tailoring. The term "bespoke" is understood to have originated in Savile Row when cloth for a suit was said to "be spoken for" by individual customers...
tailor, fashion designer and manufacturing consultant. Sexton has been called a key player in the history of Savile Row.
Early life
Edward Sexton went to English Martyrs School (in SouthwarkSouthwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
) from 1953–1957. Leaving school, Sexton went to work at Lew Rose (in 1957), a suit manufacturing factory in East London, where he received his initial training. Lew Rose operated a section production system; Sexton progressed around each section developing basic tailoring skills.
In 1959, Sexton went to work as an apprentice for Jerry Vanderstine, a coat maker who worked for Harry Hall (specialist equestrian tailor on Regent Street
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London's West End, well known to tourists and Londoners alike, and famous for its Christmas illuminations...
, London). In 1959 John Oates, the head cutter at Harry Hall, then asked Sexton to come and work as an assistant cutter and trimmer. In 1961 Sexton worked at Cyril A. Castle, a celebrity tailor, as an assistant jacket-cutter and trouser-cutter. While working at Cyril A. Castle, Sexton got his first position of responsibility on the cutting board and put himself through a pattern cutting course at Burner Street Technical College (later to become part of the London College of Fashion).
In 1962, Sexton moved to Kilgour French and Stanbury, where he finished his training. In 1966 Sexton got his first job as a fully-fledged cutter at (military tailor) Welsh and Jefferies , where he honed his skills cutting both military and civilian tailoring. Sexton made trips to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
to make uniforms for officers passing. Sexton believed this experience proved invaluable to the work he would later produce.
Nutters of Savile Row
In 1967 Sexton went to work as a cutter for Donaldson, Williams and Ward, where he met the young salesman Tommy NutterTommy Nutter
Tommy Nutter , was a British tailor, famous for reinventing the Savile Row suit in the 1960s.Born in Barmouth, Merioneth, he was raised in Edgware, Middlesex, where his father owned a local High Street Cafe. After the family moved to Kilburn, Nutter and his brother David attended Willesden...
. Nutter quickly recognised Sexton’s talent and they started working together for private clients. Through this work they began to develop a style (a waisted and flared jacket with wide lapels and parallel trousers) which was to evolve over the years. Nutter was very handsome and always impeccably dressed, and quickly drew clients from his social circle, which was growing in size and influence.
On 14th February 1969, Edward Sexton and Tommy Nutter opened Nutters of Savile Row at No. 35a Savile Row
Savile Row
Savile Row is a shopping street in Mayfair, central London, famous for its traditional men's bespoke tailoring. The term "bespoke" is understood to have originated in Savile Row when cloth for a suit was said to "be spoken for" by individual customers...
, with the backing of Cilla Black
Cilla Black
Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie...
, Bobby Willis
Bobby Willis
Robert "Bobby" Willis was a British songwriter, who eventually became the husband and manager of British singer and television personality Cilla Black.-Career:...
, James Vallance White and Peter Brown (music industry)
Peter Brown (music industry)
Peter Brown is an American-based English businessman. He currently resides in New York City.-The Beatles:Brown was a personal assistant to Brian Epstein and The Beatles during the 1960s. He was a confidant to the Epstein family, and bore some resemblance to Brian in his looks and manner...
. This was the first new Savile Row establishment in 120 years.
Nutter was the creative force and front of house focus, while Sexton was a traditional bespoke master cutter who created the garments. It has been said that “Sexton was the genius behind Nutters.” In 1976 Tommy left Nutters of Savile Row and Sexton became managing director.
Sexton remained managing director until 1982, when he moved from 35a to 36-37 Savile Row and changed the name of the business to Edward Sexton.
Leaving Savile Row
In 1990 Sexton left Savile Row to set up in Knightsbridge , alongside couturiers Caroline Charles and Bruce OldfieldBruce Oldfield
Bruce Oldfield OBE is a British fashion designer, best known for his couture occasionwear. He dresses Hollywood actresses, British and International royalty and European aristocracy; famous clients have included Sienna Miller, Barbra Streisand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diana Ross, Emmanuelle...
. Sexton continues to operate, by appointment only, from a studio on Beauchamp Place, producing bespoke tailoring for both men and women. Bespoke shirts and an exclusive selection of accessories for his customers offer a complete Sexton 'look'.
Wilks Bashford
From 1987 Sexton produced a collaborative range for Wilks Bashford in San Francisco.'Poor Little Rich Girl'
Sexton made the costumes for the $12million NBC production of Poor Little Rich Girl (The Barbara Hutton Story). Sexton dressed many of the husbands in the film including James ReadJames Read
James Christopher Read is an American actor, best known for his role of George Hazard in the North and South television miniseries.-Early life:...
as Cary Grant and Anthony Peck, as well as Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett was an American actress and artist. A multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, Fawcett rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in the first season of the television series Charlie's Angels, in 1976...
Saks Fifth Avenue ready to wear
In September 1988 Sexton created an exclusive line for Saks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue is a luxury American specialty store owned and operated by Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises , a subsidiary of Saks Incorporated. It competes in the high-end specialty store market in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, i.e. 'the 3 B's' Bergdorf, Barneys, Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor...
of made to measure suits and ready to wear tailoring: shirts, ties, socks, canes, hats, pocket squares and ascots.
Stella McCartney and Chloe
In 1995, while studying at Central St. Martins, Stella served an apprentiship with Sexton, who was her father’s tailor. Sexton helped Stella develop her graduate show that was modelled by Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon The show made front-page news, and the entire collection was sold to Tokio, a London boutique.In 1997, when Stella took over from Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, artist and photographer based in Paris. He has collaborated on a variety of fashion and art related projects, most notably as head designer and creative director for the fashion house Chanel...
, as creative director she “relied on” Sexton to create her first Paris collection. Sexton worked for Chloe as a consultant and continued tutoring Stella in cutting, design, fabric selection and tailoring. 1999 Sexton refused to renew his contract with Chloe, so he could spend more time in London seeing the bespoke clients he had been neglecting. The fashion industry did not credit Stella for the initial success of Chloe, but instead acknowledged Sexton's contributions.
Petra Ecclestone Form Clothing
In 2007 Bernie Eccleston showed Sexton designs by his 18year old daughter Petra. Sexton was impressed, and the two started working together.Famous Outfits
In the interests of their privacy, Sexton does not like to discuss his clients. Notable clients include:
| Client | Profession | Most notable clothes made by Edward Sexton |
|---|---|---|
| Annie Lennox Annie Lennox Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A... |
Musician | Suit worn in Full Steam Full Steam "Full Steam" was the second single taken from David Gray's eighth studio album Draw the Line. The song is a duet between Gray and Annie Lennox. Originally planned to be officially released as a single on 23 November 2009, the single release was delayed with a new release date set as 28 December... video |
| Bernie Ecclestone Bernie Ecclestone Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone is an English business magnate, as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration and through his part-ownership of Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. As such, he is generally considered the primary... |
Head of Formula One Management | Three piece suits |
| Bianca Jagger Bianca Jagger Bianca Jagger is a Nicaraguan-born social and human rights advocate and a former actress and model... |
Iconic White Suit | |
| David Grey David Grey David F. Grey is an American professional poker player from Henderson, Nevada.Grey is best known as a cash-game player, but he also has several notable poker tournament wins to his name.... |
Musician | Suit worn in Full Steam video |
| John Lennon John Lennon John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music... |
Musician | Suit worn on Abbey Road album cover |
| Marie Helvin Marie Helvin Marie Helvin is a fashion model, who worked extensively with David Bailey—to whom she was married between 1975-85—in the 1970s and 1980s she appeared in many fashion stories for British Vogue and posed for a series of nude photographs made by David Bailey, which were published in his 1980 book... |
Modle | |
| Mark Ronson Mark Ronson Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl.... |
Musician | White wedding suit |
| Sir Paul McCartney Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100... |
Musician | Suit worn on The Abbey Road album cover |
| Pete Docherty | Musician | Suit worn on the English Rose music video |
| Ringo Star | Musician | Tweed suit worn in Vogue |
| Twiggy Twiggy Lesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree.... |
Model | Cherry red velvet suit |
| Yoko Ono Yoko Ono is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon... |
White jump suit |