A cadre of suited and top-hatted dandies aired their displeasure with Abercrombie & Fitchs incursion into the historic home of British tailoring. The retailer, which attracts queues of shoppers hungry for slogan tees and distressed denim to a store around the corner on Burlington Gardens, plans to open a childrenswear shop at 3 Savile Row.
Protestors carried placards and banners bearing slogans like Give Three-Piece a Chance, a message of propriety further supported by the well-shined shoes, waxed moustaches and gleaming spectacles on show.
In all honesty, this is the best dressed demonstration I have ever seen, the Chief Inspector of the Savile Row Constabulary told The Chap.
Savile Row Bespoke, an industry body representing the streets tailors, issued a statement urging Westminster Council to block Abercrombies presence.
Savile Row is known the world over as the home of bespoke mens wear and is one of Londons most famous streets. As a result we can appreciate A&Fs desire to be a part of thisthe irony is that their presence serves as a gradual erosion of the very character of Savile Row that they wish to benefit from, the group said in a statement. Bespoke tailors have worked here for over 200 yearsthats what makes this place special. Lose it, and its gone forever.
In a statement, Abercrombie & Fitch lauded the 'tremendous' response to its newest London store.
'We are excited to announce the opening of our Abercrombie Kids London flagship store on Saville Row and to be bringing another one of our brands to London,' the brand said.
