Who is Philip Sawyer Bespoke? And what does “bespoke” actually mean?

For more than 45 years, Philip Sawyer has been a classic tailor and couturier in the tradition of Savile Row and other classic custom apparel houses, designing and making all types of unique men’s and women’s garments. He has also taught at the Rhode Island School of Design since 2011.

“Bespoke” originated from a customer claiming a particular length of fabric for themselves — it was “spoken for”. These days it means we begin by discussing what you wish to have made, talking through appropriate fabrics — sometimes the fabric comes first, however — and obtaining your essential measurements, while also sizing up your unique physical attributes. We then proceed to drafting a pattern for you alone, and the project you have chosen, using not only those basic measurements, but ensuring that any unique personal attributes and style are also accounted for, so that the resulting garment makes you look better than you are.

As for fabrics, we source our cotton, linen, silk and wool suitings and shirtings from the best in the business, most of whom have been around for a century or more. Or, you can bring in your own yardage and we will design around it. The dress in hand-embroidered linen on the home page began that way.

Please contact us for more information and to begin this unique process.