Bespoke Tweed Competition

Huntsman Savile Row Announces Winner of Bespoke Tweed Competition

Kyle Dawney has been chosen as the winner of the 2018 Huntsman Tweed Competition, following a judging lunch at 11 Savile Row by the sartorially inclined such as Zac Peck, Priscilla Waters, Eric Underwood and Tiger Chadwick. The winning submission pushed a traditionally conservative design into a bold space without losing the elegant herringbone pattern.   

The Huntsman Tweed competition opened in December 2017 with a flood of entries from all over the world. Selected from a shortlist of twenty patterns, Dawney’s winning entry embodied a visionary and brave approach. Huntsman owner, Pierre Lagrange commented, ‘Delighted the winner of the 2018 Tweed competition is a young man from London who is a passionate designer that isn’t afraid to push the boundaries - a simple yet bold design which I cannot wait to have made into my next pair of trousers!’.

A graduate of Brunel University with a degree in industrial and product design, Dawney has worked with the likes of Lee Broom, The Walt Disney Co. and Geometry Global to develop his creative ouvre. Describing himself as a brand storyteller, Dawney works to create tangible assets, installations and experiences. Dawney commented: ‘I really enjoyed creating a distinct contrast between the classic Glen Urquhart pattern and modern punchy colours. Using a simple check to keep the design familiar, I wanted a highlight to catch the eye, shifting the check into a unique pattern’.

Dawney continued: ‘This is where I found the pink, starting with the Huntsman red and taking a trip back through the Heritage suits. I remembered seeing splashes of pink throughout the Huntsman Archives and loved how it added great depth against the dark formal navy.'

Fellow designer and judge at this week’s competition, Tiger Chadwick was commissioned to create the current window installation at 11 Savile Row. A striking tweed flag celebrating the craft of this iconic cloth. Chadwick says of her design; ‘I’d like to raise awareness of this wonderful material and the fun that can be had with it. I see it as a flag; an emblem of the long-standing partnership between Huntsman and the mill.’

Huntsman’s bespoke tweed creations come to life at a family-run mill on the Isle of Islay where patrons can immerse themselves in the colours, patterns and weaves which can be created using the Huntsman bespoke tweed service. When creating a bespoke tweed, clients are offered the opportunity to design a unique 30m bolt alongside Huntsman Creative Director, Campbell Carey. Once the designs are completed, clients are invited to travel to the Isle of Islay to enjoy the unique experience of witnessing the tweed being produced on the loom against the breath-taking backdrop of the Scottish Hebrides.

Dawney will have his bespoke design brought to life and have the opportunity to enjoy the unique Huntsman bespoke tweed service in the Scottish Hebrides with a fine whisky in hand. The 30m bolt of the Dawney’s tweed fabric will be stored at the Huntsman Savile Row store where it can be used for a host of different garments across generations, signaling the establishment of Dawney’s own Huntsman heritage.

Huntsman, an esteemed Savile Row tailor, with an extraordinary history that stretches back over 165 years creating impeccable bespoke suiting for the most discerning clientele that includes nobility, royalty, statesmen and iconic Hollywood stars. The house has always prided itself on its rich heritage and built a reputation as one of the finest and most innovative long-standing bespoke tailors on Savile Row. Huntsman also offers a made-to-measure tailoring service and a ready-to-wear and accessories collection. Integrity, excellence, craftsmanship and style has defined the Huntsman suit for generations, standards of which are still maintained today. Offering the finest level of service, Huntsman’s staff receive exceptional training and have decades of experience. With an uncompromising commitment to excellence, Huntsman's unique legacy encompasses an impressive list of patrons renowned for their sartorial style such as Clark Gable, Cecil Beaton, Winston Churchill, Gregory Peck, Coco Chanel, Katharine Hepburn, Lucian Freud and Alexander McQueen.


For more information, visit Huntsman at https://www.huntsmansavilerow.com/

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