Huntsman is proud to continue our partnership with Hagerty for the third Concours on Savile Row. This year, we celebrate legendary Huntsman client Charlie Watts, the late Rolling Stones drummer. For the two days Huntsman and Hagerty will present a never-seen-before exhibition from Charlie Watts’s private collection. This display will include bespoke Huntsman tailoring, alongside personal treasures including a beautiful 1939 Lagonda LG6 Rapide, one of only six built. The creativity, passion, and talent that made Charlie an international rock legend were only amplified by his sartorial prowess and deep appreciation and admiration for bespoke clothing. Charlie had over 200 bespoke orders with Huntsman in a relationship spanning over three decades. Now, with the generosity of the Watts family, we’re delighted to share a unique and personal style profile.
Dario Carnera, Huntsman Head Cutter, explains, approaching every bespoke commission with Charlie was in itself a collaboration:
"Mr. Watts was a true gentleman and one of the most stylish individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Charlie recognised and appreciated the art and craft of bespoke tailoring and, with every commission, imbued his own iconic sartorial flair, a testament to both his good taste and vision. He possessed a love for the signature Huntsman cut, which, coincidentally, lent itself so naturally to his own cool, elegant style.”
It’s been noted that Charlie’s style was somewhat unexpected for a rock star and in contrast to his fellow Rolling Stones. His penchant for elegant tailored suits, sophisticated shirts, and silk ties gained him a reputation for creating a quiet rebellion within British Fashion and respect from the tailoring houses of Savile Row.
"Charlie was a man who had great confidence in his sense of style and good taste, constantly subverting and re-establishing the idea of the contemporary English gentleman in a way that was cool, collected, and self-assured.”
His sartorial legacy is incredibly diverse, evident in the garments on display at Huntsman, including three iconic House tweeds, each full of character and charm.
“Such vibrant tweeds could threaten to overpower the wearer, but Mr Watts knew exactly what was too much, and when to stop, where to embellish, and where to show restraint,” says Dario.
His patronage even inspired a Huntsman house cloth. The ‘Springfield Stripe’ was released exclusively through the house to celebrate Huntsman’s centenary at 11 Savile Row in 2019 and was created in homage to a vintage suit belonging to Charlie from almost 30 years prior. The Huntsman team is delighted to play a part in celebrating Charlie Watts’s life and legacy in a way that is respectful and authentic to his indisputable sartorial prowess. On display in the Huntsman Club will be pieces of Charlie’s private tailoring collection, as well as his patterns, iconic images of his tailoring, and the exclusive tweeds he loved so much.
