July 27, 2023 |
Edward Sexton, industry-adored tailor and Savile Row legend, has died, aged 80.
Hailing from Dagenham, East London, Sexton was born into a family of tailors and seamstresses, with his uncles, aunts and cousins all working in such trades. During his schooling years, he would help out at his cousin’s trouser making workshop. He would leave school at age 15, where he began to learn how to make bespoke garments alongside renowned equestrian tailors Harry Hall.
From 1962, he would begin to develop his own personal style under the guidance of celebrity tailor Fred Stanbury of Kilgour, French & Stanbury, before moving to join Donaldson, Williams & G. Ward in 1966. It was here he met his dear friend Tommy Nutter. The pair would open Nutter’s on Savile Row in 1969, where Sexton was head cutter. Soon, Sexton would become renowned for his architectural jackets and bold checks, which would attract the likes of Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, Elton John and Naomi Campbell, who were clients throughout Sexton’s illustrious career.
Some of Sexton’s most notable creations have included the suits worn by The Beatles on the Abbey Road album cover. In later years, he would create suits for Jarvis Cocker for the reformation of Pulp and the wardrobe for Harry Styles’ first, global solo tour in 2017.
Nutter’s would be renamed Edward Sexton in 1976, morphing into a must-stop for musicians looking for a pristine suit. Over the years, Sexton has created suits for everyone from Annie Lennox to Mark Ronson. He was also a designer’s tailor, making many a suit for the likes of Bruce Oldfield, Arnold Scaasi and Manolo Blahnik.
Sexton would join Chloé as a consultant under Stella McCartney in 1997. After McCartney interned with Sexton during her student days at Central Saint Martins, the tailor would help the young designer produce her graduate collection from the revered art’s school.
In later years, Sexton would launch a ready-to-wear collection and return to Savile Row with a new flagship store in 2022. He will be remembered as one of our industry’s most charming souls and a visionary tailor whose taste-making expertise will live on.
Our thoughts are with Sexton’s family.
Photography courtesy of Edward Sexton.
