From Leeds to Savile Row: Meet pioneering tailor Kathryn Sargent

Kathryn Sargent has made history by becoming the first woman to open her own tailoring house in historic Savile Row.

Kathryn, who has dressed royalty, actors, politicians and leaders of industry, opened her premises in London’s Mayfair yesterday.

The 41-year-old master tailor, who is originally from Chapel Allerton, spent 15 years at Gieves & Hawkes, rising through the ranks to head cutter, before setting up in her first store in Brook Street in 2012.

She said: “It feels wonderful, and like a real sense of achievement – it is just great to have your shop and your garments on display for people to see.” Kathryn added: “I am thrilled to be making history, although for me being a woman is incidental, I am a tailor first and foremost.”

The former Allerton High School pupil yesterday also told how she hopes the new store will showcase her trade and creations, saying: “We will be cutting suits out in the window and also we have done a display to explain the process of having a suit made.

“I really wanted to present all the elements of the craft so people can walk through the story – it is a real visual display and I want people to come away feeling energised by that and understanding a bit more about it.”

Bespoke two-piece suits made by Kathryn have a starting price tag of £4,200, with made-to-measure suits costing £1,500.