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Ozwald Boateng and Timothy Everest will be opening new stores in Savile Row
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Savile Row has been given a major boost after acclaimed designer Ozwald Boateng unveiled plans to open a new store which will also train British fashion stars of the future.
The celebrity designer, whose exclusive clientele includes Mick Jagger, Keanue Reeves and Jamie Foxx, was granted planning permission for his new premises by Westminster City Council yesterday evening, subject to contract and a legal agreement.
Councillor Alastair Moss, Chairman of the Planning and City Development Committee, said the council was determined to ensure that Savile Row remained synonymous with tailoring excellence.
"This is an excellent decision for Savile Row. Mixing the traditional tailors in the street with those such as Mr Boateng and the younger generation of designers will ensure that Savile Row stays a byword for world tailoring for years to come," he said.
In a letter in support of his application Mr Boateng explained that his attachment to Savile Row was "very sentimental".
He said, "This was the place that made me realise my dream and understand that I needed to become a tailor. It has such an amazing history and is so uniquely known around the world. I know this is where my offices need to be, as to be anywhere else would lose all that the brand represents."
Mr Boateng will vacate his existing store in Vigo Street and the upper floors of 12 Savile Row and move into bigger premises at 30 - 32 Savile Row.
As a member of the London Skills and Employment Board, which sets out the capital's adult skills strategy, Mr Boateng said he hopes to use his new site as a venue to train fashion students to become world tailors.
Westminster City Council is spending £10,000 on a new training and workshop space to attract new people into the industry.
Without this help, bespoking tailoring in the row was at risk of dying out due to rising rents and business costs.
Fellow celebrity designer Timothy Everest was also granted planning permission by Westminster City Council to set up shop in Savile Row yesterday evening.
Mr Everest, who makes suits for cabinet ministers and celebrities such as Tom Cruise and David Beckham, plans to open a store in an adjoining unit next to Mr Boateng.
Both applications had the support of the main tailors grouping on Savile Row.
