Henry Poole & Co

Henry Poole & Co is a bespoke tailor located on Savile Row in London, United Kingdom. The company created the first modern-style dinner jacket, based on specifications provided by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in the 1860s. Some call the company “the founding father of Savile Row.” Its headquarters is 15 Savile Row, though they have multiple locations.

Henry Poole & Co

Company type	Private
Industry	Retailer, bespoke tailoring
Founded	1806 (1806)
Founder	James Poole
Headquarters	15 Savile Row, postalcode W1S 3PJ, London , England
Key people	Angus Cundey (owner) Simon Cundey (director)
Products	Clothing, fashion
Website	www.henrypoole.com

History

Customers examine the wares of Henry Poole and Co. in their 18th century showroom on Savile Row (1944)

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, with notable achievements around the time of the Battle of Waterloo. The business relocated to Savile Row in 1846 after the death of founder James Poole. Henry Poole ran the business until his death in 1876, after which his cousin, Samuel Cundey, took over. The Cundey family legacy has continued through five generations, reaching the present-day owners, Angus Cundey and his son, Simon.

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, James Potter of Tuxedo Park, New York, visited London and was subsequently invited by the Prince to spend a weekend at Sandringham House. He was also 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 at the Tuxedo Club. Fellow members quickly began having copies made for themselves, adopting it as their informal uniform for club “stag” dinners. As a result, the dinner jacket became known as a tuxedo (or tux) in America.

See also

• Savile Row tailoring

Further reading

• Stephen Howarth: Henry Poole: Founders of Savile Row - The Making of a Legend. Godalming: Bene Factum, 2003. ISBN 978-1-903071-06-9

External links

• Company website
• Bespoke Suit
• Historical background information