It's not easy to breathe fresh air into a 100-year-old brand, but Carlo Brandelli, creative director of bespoke tailor Kilgour, has been doing just that since he took charge in 2003. With an ever-growing, loyal clientele, Kilgour has now opened its second Savile Row boutique.
Situated next door to its older sibling, No 8, the façade of the new No 5 is built from Portland limestone. The interior is an amalgam of limestone and wood, and appears minimal yet indulgent, reflecting Kilgour’s ethos. Dark-oak modular counters and floating shelves inlaid with drops of mother of pearl accent the unobstructed space. No mirrors are visible until they are drawn from behind wooden panels by retractable pulls.
The piece de resistance is the built-in glass tank, containing a rippling spotted stingray – a Leopoldi to be precise.
We find fashion and live animals don't often mix well, but the stingray at No 5 transcends gimmickry. Kilgour fans will appreciate that its presence references the house’s signature spots – subtly seen in past collections, such as under lapels, and set to become increasingly prominent. Kilgour's seasonal 'No 5' collection is built on a leaner silhouette and is filled with directional pieces, like finely spotted shirts, cashmere cardigans and raw selvedge denim jeans.
The opening of No 5 also sees the debut of Kilgour's 'Unstructured' line, a range of ultra-light menswear. Says Brandelli: 'Unstructured is all about the cut, making it easy to wear lots of pieces at once, like a waistcoat under a jacket under an overcoat. There is something provocative about taking off each layer.'
No 5 looks set to knock spots off its sartorial rivals.
INFORMATION
5 Savile Row
London W1
Tel: 44.20 7734 6905
- Website
- http://www.kilgour.eu
