Huntsman and London College of Fashion announce student competition

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Apr 24, 2019

Savile Row tailor Huntsman and UAL’s London College of Fashion have teamed up to reuse surplus fabrics and garments and train the new generation of designers in the zero-waste approach.

Twenty-seven second-year students specialising in bespoke tailoring have been briefed to give unsold Huntsman suits a new lease of life in a competition that will see one winning candidate receive a paid internship at the renowned bespoke tailor.

The initiative will give Huntsman, known for its tailored suits, the opportunity to recycle some of the bespoke garments which have gone unclaimed in its 170 years of history. Traditionally, these items have been discarded, but in view of the issues arising from textile waste, the high-end brand is joining a wider movement trying to redefine the way fashion is produced and consumed.

Each student was given the chance to choose from these suits and excess cloth and reimagine the brand in their language. Working with the 27 second-year students, Huntsman discussed the importance of design, innovative cutting and manufacturing to produce pieces of exceptional quality that may exist for many decades and transcend fast-fashion trends.

This year, the bespoke tailor is celebrating 100 years since opening on London’s Savile Row with the launch of Bespoke 100, a faster bespoke service enabled by partnerships with forward-thinking third parties.