Dressed: The History of Fashion

Episode: Fashion History Now #37: An Interview with Savile Row Tailor Jihae An
Original Air Date: January 30, 2026
Host(s): April Callahan, Cassidy Zachary
Guest: Jihyeon (“G”) An, Savile Row Bespoke Tailor

Episode Overview

This episode offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the world of Savile Row tailoring through the experiences and insights of Jihae ("G") An, a bespoke coat maker at the legendary Eden Ravenscroft. The conversation explores G’s personal journey into tailoring, the traditions and communities of Savile Row, the practical and creative aspects of the profession, and the changing face and future of bespoke tailoring. G shares her perspective as a young, female, and immigrant tailor—challenging stereotypes and highlighting the role of representation in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Heritage of Savile Row (01:34–03:35)

• Savile Row’s Reputation:
  The hosts discuss the global renown of Savile Row, synonymous with exquisite tailoring and unmatched craftsmanship.
  “Tailoring is synonymous with the globally renowned Savile Row in London.” — Cassidy Zachary (01:34)
• Historical Highlights:
  • Henry Poole’s role as “father of Savile Row” (est. 1806, 32 Savile Row).
  • Eden Ravenscroft predates Savile Row itself, tracing roots to 1689 as London’s oldest tailor and robe maker.

2. Jihae An’s Journey into Tailoring (04:12–07:42)

• Formative Inspirations:

  • G grew up inspired by her mother, who dreamed of being a fashion designer and made clothes for her with leftover fabrics.
  • Initially aspired to design wedding dresses, but was drawn to tailoring for its practical career security and creative boundaries.

  “I always had a really clear path of wanting to become a fashion designer. And lo and behold, I didn’t become one—I actually became a tailor.”
  — Jihae An (04:27)

• Why Tailoring Over Design:

  • Sought a creative trade with defined traditions and skills that improve over a lifetime.
  • Tailoring offered “timelessness” and lifelong mastery.

  “It’s the timelessness that appealed to me. I still go back to wedding dresses sometimes, though. It’s romantic.”
  — Jihae An (07:42)

3. Inside Eden Ravenscroft and Savile Row (08:03–10:58)

• Work Experience:

  • Apprenticed at Tom Sweeney, freelanced with several prestigious houses (Huntsman, Kilgour, Montague & E. Davies & Sons, Norton Sons).
  • Drawn to Eden Ravenscroft by its history and unique offerings (legal dress, graduation robes, special garments).

• Wig and Robe Departments:

  • Unique to Eden Ravenscroft: still produce wigs and robes by hand, using centuries-old techniques.

  “The tradition of making has...hasn’t changed since the design was established in the 18th century.”
  — Jihae An (09:58)

4. The Apprenticeship System (11:31–15:16)

• Training and Hardship:

  • Apprenticeships typically last 3–4 years for coat makers; G completed hers in about 1.5 years thanks to a demanding mentor.
  • Notoriously low pay, requiring personal and familial sacrifice.

  “I was really, really keen on to finish my coat making apprenticeships. I could earn some real money as a coat maker. So money was a motivation and I got through it in about a year and a half.”
  — Jihae An (13:21)

• The Value of Hands-On Learning:

  • Tailoring involves tactile learning that cannot be replicated by video or classroom instruction.
  • Hopes future apprenticeships will improve to offer living wages.

5. The Art and Process of Tailoring (17:45–24:08)

• Commissioning a Suit:

  • Customer meets with a cutter for consultation and measurements.
  • Team includes the cutter, undercutter, coat/waistcoat/trouser makers, finishers, pressers, and others.

• Step-by-Step Suit Creation:

  • Cloth is selected, cut, basted, and fitted (up to three fittings typical).
  • Makers adjust for individual differences, constructing each garment piece by piece.
  • Finishers complete with detailed work (handmade buttonholes, lining).
  • Pressers finish the garment.

• Freelancing and Community on Savile Row:

  • Most tailors work freelance and for multiple houses, fostering a unique ecosystem and camaraderie.

  “It’s a very old way of working, I suppose. I still wrote my invoices by pen and paper and I would hand-deliver my garments with invoices.”
  — Jihae An (22:55)

6. Evolution of Savile Row: Community and Demographics (24:08–27:00)

• Changing Culture:

  • Previously more cutthroat and hierarchical; now a collaborative, warm community.
  • Surge in female and immigrant tailors; social media is helping foster openness and collaboration.

  “Young people, especially social media, has helped open a lot of people up about the possibility of working together and that, you know, we all have this common thing of really loving Savile Row.”
  — Jihae An (25:12)

7. Social Media and Representation (27:00–31:54)

• Why Share Her Work:

  • Sought recognition for behind-the-scenes tailors and transparency about why bespoke suits are valuable and costly.
  • A way to connect with clients, educate public, build personal diary of work.

  “Sometimes the brand shiny men at the front of the house would get the thanks...I’m down here in the windowless basement.”
  — Jihae An (27:20)

• Representation and Challenges:

  • Experiences some online negativity, but benefits far outweigh drawbacks.
  • Her visibility helps inspire and encourage others—especially women and immigrants—to consider careers in tailoring.

  “I didn’t realize how important representation could be. And when I have students contacting me and say, I want to be a Savile Row tailor and they look like me, and I hope I helped a little bit towards that aspect.”
  — Jihae An (30:06)

8. The Power of the Suit (31:54–33:06)

• Empowerment Through Garments:

  • Wearing a bespoke suit changes posture, self-perception, and treatment by others.
  • Personal anecdote: making a wedding suit for a friend, who described the fitting as a “princess moment.”

  “You hold yourself differently when you have something that’s especially made for you. And I love that feeling.”
  — Jihae An (32:07)

9. What Tailoring Means to G (33:18–35:16)

• Tailoring as Expression and Identity:

  • Foundational to her creative expression and professional confidence.
  • Connection to her identity as an immigrant in England: Savile Row has always been shaped by immigrant tailors.

  “For something that’s very, very British, it has always been powered by immigrant tailors. And there’s me and him, who’s a Cypriot British tailor, in a room handcrafting these garments...”
  — Jihae An (35:03)

Notable Quotes

• “I always had a really clear path of wanting to become a fashion designer. And lo and behold, I didn’t become one—I actually became a tailor.” — Jihae An (04:27)
• “It’s the timelessness that appealed to me.” — Jihae An (07:42)
• “The tradition of making has...hasn’t changed since the design was established in the 18th century.” — Jihae An (09:58)
• “You can watch as many videos and get your information. But the things that I was taught were like, so tactile...those kind of things can’t be taught purely by watching.” — Jihae An (14:25)
• “It’s a very old way of working...a lot was happening on this one street and a lot of communication, a lot of work being exchanged...actually it’s more like a community.” — Jihae An (22:55)
• “I didn’t realize how important representation could be...” — Jihae An (30:06)
• “You hold yourself differently when you have something that’s especially made for you.” — Jihae An (32:07)
• “For something that’s very, very British, it has always been powered by immigrant tailors.” — Jihae An (35:03)

Key Timestamps

• Savile Row and Its History: 01:34–02:54
• G’s Early Inspirations and Transition to Tailoring: 04:12–07:42
• Apprenticeship Experiences: 11:31–15:16
• Making a Bespoke Suit Explained: 17:45–24:08
• Work Culture and Changing Demographics: 24:08–27:00
• Instagram, Representation, and Challenges: 27:00–31:54
• The Empowerment of the Suit: 31:54–33:06
• Identity, Expression, and Immigrant Roots: 33:18–35:16

Memorable Moments

• G describes her first suit for herself, the longing to be seen as a real tailor, and how that shaped her Instagram presence (27:00–30:06).
• Emotional reflection on how being part of the Savile Row community gave her a sense of belonging and a bridge between her British and Korean identities (34:21–35:16).
• The anecdote of making a wedding suit for a friend who experienced a “princess moment” during a fitting, highlighting the joy and transformative power of bespoke tailoring (32:07–33:06).

Conclusion

This episode not only demystifies the technical and communal aspects of Savile Row but also spotlights a new generation of tailors—women, immigrants, and creatives—redefining both tradition and innovation. G’s insights provide a powerful testament to the value of craft, the importance of representation, and the profound ways that something as simple as getting dressed can be an act of expression, identity, and empowerment.

Follow Jihae An on Instagram: @bspokenbyg
Follow Dressed: @dressed_podcast