THE DECK IS THE FIRST WOMEN’S-ONLY TAILORING HOUSE TO HAVE A SHOPFRONT ON SAVILE ROW… It’s a real honour to be on Savile Row amongst the greatest names in British tailoring and craftsmanship. I’m on a mission to give successful, stylish women an alternative to fast fashion and to let them experience the very best craftsmanship, quality, and fit.
TELL US ABOUT THE KNATCHBULL READY TO-WEAR COLLECTION? It was born out of existing clients asking where to get the perfect pieces to wear with their suits. We’d been sending our clients elsewhere but realised that we could create these pieces ourselves. The collection includes wardrobe classics such as blazers, wideleg or high-waisted cigarette pants, shirts and blouses, and trench coats.
YOUR MOST TREASURED WARDROBE ITEM? A chic dressing-gown coat from my grandmother – it’s cream with beautiful hand-embroidered butterflies and birds on it. It reminds me of the De Gournay wallpaper we have in our store.
ON SUSTAINABILITY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP… Sustainability is extremely important to me. The Deck was recently awarded B-Corp certification, and is the first made-to-measure tailoring house in the UK to achieve this – something I am immensely proud of. Craftsmanship is fundamental to The Deck. We work with highly skilled artisans and our garments pass through several pairs of highly skilled hands.
YOU CAUSED A STIR AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WEAR A MORNING SUIT TO ROYAL ASCOT IN 2016, A DRESS CODE PREVIOUSLY RESERVED FOR MEN… At the time, I was working at Huntsman, one of Savile Row’s oldest bespoke tailors, and saw the imbalance between men and women’s tailoring. I wanted to challenge the antiquated view that suits are only for men, and The Deck really gives women the opportunity to be heard and understood in the world of tailoring.
WHO ARE YOUR STYLE ICONS? I admire many women throughout the ages, all of whom I think are so effortlessly chic; Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Hutton, Katharine Hepburn, Bianca Jagger in her wedding suit, and Julia Roberts in an Armani suit at the Oscars.
THOUGHTS ON FASHION TODAY? I love that the fashion industry is taking big steps to becoming more sustainable, and that there’s a more conscious consumer who’s drawn towards things that are timeless, long-lasting, and versatile. Suits are no longer a fad or a trend; they’re an essential wardrobe staple for women.
YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO SHOP? I love browsing through vintage shops like Rellik in Notting Hill, and I often raid my grandmother’s wardrobe.
YOUR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ITEMS? I cannot travel without Sarah Chapman’s facial oil and Laneige’s lip mask.
YOUR FAVOURITE LONDON RESTAURANT? Ida Restaurant in Kensal Rise – the pasta is unbeatable.
ADVICE FOR BUYING A SUIT OR BLAZER? Invest in one that is timeless and can take you from day to night so you can dress it up or down – usually a plain navy is best. Good quality cloth that not only feels good, but endures daily life over the years, is also so important. thedecklondon.com
