Gieves & Hawkes
Frasers Group · United Kingdom
Gieves & Hawkes is a Savile Row tailoring house with origins in 1771, based at No. 1 Savile Row in London. Wikipedia reports that Frasers Group acquired it in November 2022, after earlier owners Trinity Limited and Shandong Ruyi.
| Founded | 1771 (Hawkes) |
|---|---|
| Founders | Thomas Hawkes and James Watson Gieve |
| Owner | Frasers Group (since November 2022) |
| Headquarters | No. 1 Savile Row, London |
| Segment | Luxury and designer houses |
| Website | gievesandhawkes.com |
What is Gieves & Hawkes?
Gieves & Hawkes is a men's tailoring house on Savile Row, described on its website as Savile Row tailors since 1771. It traces its origins to Thomas Hawkes, who opened a hatter and tailor shop on Brewer Street, and to James Watson Gieve. Its main atelier is at No. 1 Savile Row, a building Hawkes & Co. bought in 1912.
History
Early clients included the British Army and Royal Navy. James Gieve partnered with Joseph Galt in 1852 and the firm became Gieves & Co. in 1887. Gieves Ltd acquired Hawkes & Co. in 1974 and the company was renamed Gieves & Hawkes. Hawkes & Co. received its first royal warrant in 1809, and the company has held warrants from Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and, as Prince of Wales, King Charles III. In 2009 Kathryn Sargent became the first female head cutter on Savile Row.
Business model and distribution
The house offers four ateliers: ready to wear, made to measure, bespoke and military. The website lists shops in London (No. 1 Savile Row), Bath, Birmingham, Chester, Winchester and Flannels Leeds, and sells online. Wikipedia reports 68 stores and concessions across markets including the UK, China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and France, though that figure is not dated. It also supplies ceremonial and service dress to the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
Ownership
A Hong Kong group bought the company in 2002, and Trinity Limited acquired it in 2012. Shandong Ruyi bought Trinity in 2017. After Trinity faced a winding-up petition in 2021, Frasers Group, the owner of Sports Direct, acquired Gieves & Hawkes in November 2022. Wikipedia adds that the Savile Row flagship was renovated and reopened on 1 September 2026. Leadership titles were inconsistent across the sources, so no current creative head is named.
Why it matters
Gieves & Hawkes is one of the oldest and best known Savile Row houses, and its military heritage and Frasers Group ownership make it a distinctive case of a heritage tailor inside a large retail group.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Gieves & Hawkes?
Frasers Group, the owner of Sports Direct, acquired Gieves & Hawkes in November 2022 after the previous owner Trinity Limited faced a winding-up petition in 2021.
Where is Gieves & Hawkes from?
Gieves & Hawkes is a British brand headquartered at No. 1 Savile Row in London. Its origins date to a hatter and tailor shop opened by Thomas Hawkes in 1771.