KCR Winter 2025 2026 Mag V3 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 126
The Resurgence of Craft Luxury
Bespoke Tailoring, Handmade Shoes & Couture Accessories
In an era dominated by algorithms, mass production and instant
grati昀椀cation, a quiet but powerful renaissance is unfolding within the
world of luxury fashion — a return to craftsmanship. Across London’s
storied streets and ateliers, the art of bespoke tailoring, hand-stitched
leatherwork and couture accessory-making is reasserting its place at the
heart of true luxury. For discerning clients in Kensington, Chelsea and
Mayfair, “made by hand” has once again become the ultimate
expression of status and sophistication.
A cultural reset in luxury
The years following the pandemic saw a marked shift in consumer consciousness. As the global elite reassessed what truly constitutes value,
the fashion narrative moved away from logos and fast turnover towards
heritage, artistry and individuality. Where once prestige was tied to
visibility, it is now rooted in discretion — an appreciation for the
artisan’s touch and the time invested in perfection.
Luxury market analysts have termed this movement “craft luxury” —
the alignment of heritage craft with modern re昀椀nement. It’s a
philosophy embodied by brands such as Anderson & Sheppard
www.anderson-sheppard.co.uk, Edward Sexton
www.edwardsexton.co.uk and Gieves & Hawkes
www.gievesandhawkes.com, whose ateliers on Savile Row remain the
living heart of British sartorial tradition. Their work transcends trend:
suits cut by hand, measured to the millimetre, lined in silk and
constructed with a respect for form and the human silhouette.
Bespoke tailoring as quiet power
There is something profoundly modern about the restraint of a perfectly
tailored garment. For both men and women of in昀氀uence, bespoke
tailoring conveys a kind of power that cannot be bought o昀昀 the rack. It
speaks of discernment, con昀椀dence and permanence.
At Anderson & Sheppard, cutters still work from 32 separate
measurements, crafting patterns that follow the natural line of the
body rather than forcing it into shape. Over at Edward Sexton, the late
designer’s signature silhouette — high shoulders, wide lapels, sculpted
waist — continues to attract global clients seeking Old Hollywood
glamour reimagined for contemporary wardrobes.
Women, too, are rediscovering bespoke. The revival of the femalefocused tailoring house The Deck London www.thedecklondon.com
has introduced a new generation to the art of the hand-cut trouser suit.
Every garment is made-to-measure in Savile Row’s workshops, with a
focus on sustainability and longevity. Founder Daisy Knatchbull calls it
the antithesis of disposable fashion — a declaration of intent.
Handmade shoes: the foundation of elegance
Beneath every great out昀椀t lies craftsmanship of a di昀昀erent kind.
Handmade shoes have become the calling card of connoisseurs who
value comfort, form and heritage in equal measure. The demand for
bespoke shoemaking has surged among London’s elite — a testament to
the enduring legacy of workshops like John Lobb
www.johnlobb.com George Cleverley www.georgecleverley.com and
Gaziano & Girling www.gazianogirling.com
At John Lobb’s St James’s workshop, master craftsmen still carve wooden lasts by hand, a process that can take up to 50 hours before the 昀椀rst
piece of leather is cut. Each pair of shoes may require over 200 separate
operations and a wait time of up to six months — proof that perfection
cannot be rushed.
minimalist sneakers crafted from ethically sourced leather. Each detail
tells a story: a conversation between maker and client.
Couture accessories and the modern artisan
Beyond tailoring and footwear, craft luxury extends to the accessories
that complete the ensemble. British milliner Stephen Jones OBE
www.stephenjonesmillinery.com continues to blend avant-garde
imagination with centuries-old techniques, creating wearable works of
art for clients from Dior to private collectors. In jewellery, independent
ateliers such as Jessica McCormack www.jessicamccormack.com and
BleuBeryl London www.bleuberyl.com rede昀椀ne luxury through
craftsmanship, o昀昀ering bespoke designs that marry old-world romance
with modern minimalism.
Leatherworkers are experiencing a similar renaissance. Brands like
Smythson www.smythson.com whose notebooks and bags are still
assembled by hand in England, are seeing renewed appreciation for
tactile quality and understated elegance. Even the rise of “quiet luxury”
on social media — epitomised by soft, logo-free leather totes and
impeccable stitching — points to a cultural craving for authenticity.
Sustainability through longevity
Unlike fast fashion’s 昀氀eeting relevance, craft luxury thrives on
endurance. Each piece, whether a tailored jacket or a pair of bespoke
heels, is designed to last decades — both materially and stylistically. In
this way, artisanship aligns seamlessly with sustainability.
The leather used by George Cleverley, for example, is sourced
exclusively from heritage tanneries using natural vegetable dyes. The
Deck London o昀昀ers complimentary adjustments for life, ensuring that
garments evolve with their owners rather than being discarded. By
focusing on repair, renewal and heirloom quality, today’s craft houses
are rede昀椀ning sustainable luxury as the preservation of beauty through
time.
The new collectors’ mindset
A昀툀uent consumers now approach craftsmanship the way art collectors
approach masterpieces — with knowledge, patience and passion.
Commissioning a bespoke garment or accessory is no longer about
showing wealth, but demonstrating connoisseurship. The process itself
— the 昀椀ttings, the sketches, the tactile intimacy of choosing fabric or
leather — becomes part of the pleasure.
The future of craft luxury
In 2026, the bespoke industry is entering a golden age. Tailors are
collaborating with digital artisans to merge handcraft with precision
technology; young designers are apprenticing under master cutters to
preserve endangered skills; and global clients are 昀氀ying into London for
昀椀ttings the way they once travelled for couture shows.
For men and women of taste, the allure of craft luxury lies in its
permanence — a gentle de昀椀ance of the transient. In a world of sameness, it is individuality made tangible.
So while fashion trends may come and go, the quiet authority of a
hand-stitched seam, the gleam of polished calfskin, or the weight of
a perfectly balanced cu昀툀ink will always tell the same story: that true
luxury, in the end, is made by hand.
Image: Мария Maria, Pexels
Modern patrons are not only ordering traditional Oxfords or brogues.
Increasingly, they’re commissioning hybrid styles — hand-stitched
loafers in patinated calfskin, custom boots with coloured soles, even
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