- Thom Sweeney is a combination of the names and minds of Thom Whiddett and Luke Sweeney.
- Thom Whiddett was an apprentice cutter at Timothy Everest. Luke Sweeney was the head of Timothy Everest’s made to measure department.
- They joined together in 2006, setting up in a room in London’s Mayfair, where they took private orders.
- Thom Sweeney’s first official store opened in 2009 in a former art gallery on Weighhouse Street.
- Their ready-to-wear range launched in 2013, with Mr Porter as an exclusive partner.
- They opened a second store on Bruton Place in 2014.
- Thom Sweeney is now an internationally recognised name, with their tailors travelling as far as New York, Stockholm and Geneva to meet clients.
- Thom Sweeney are the biggest employers of apprentices recruited from Newham College. These apprentices learn from master tailors at Thom Sweeney, ready to be part of the next generation of craftspeople.
"Whether bespoke, made-to-measure or ready-to-wear, the process starts with a conversation. They’ll listen to your needs and give you a drink before offering their expertise.
Like their stores and approach, the Thom Sweeney cut is simultaneously relaxed yet polished. The soft, Italianate shoulder feels natural, comfortable and relevant; at the same time, the chest is canvassed for structure and the waist nipped in flatteringly, as is the British custom. In short, the best of both worlds.
The sophisticated yet comfortable design and construction of Thom Sweeney suits encapsulates the British Savile Row aesthetic, whilst adding a contemporary twist.
Sweeney explains, "We've got our house cut, but we're open minded, it's not our way or the highway. We come from a British tailor, but we enjoy mixing styles." This combination of an inherently flexible, soft house style and an open-minded attitude has been the key to the Thom Sweeney look ever since.
The Thom Sweeney look is known for its versatility and deft use of understated colour and texture. This creates a suit which embodies a contemporary take on the classic British silhouette, with slightly wider lapels and iconic English roped shoulders, but with a significantly softer armhole and chest, reflecting the Italian style.
They have opened up the bespoke market to a younger generation of men.
The stores;
The brand is heavily stylized by film and celebrity culture from the the 1960s. This is conveyed through the store's decor with pictures of celebrity icons, stag heads, leather seating and general rustic vibe. There is also a small bar area where beverages such as whiskey are offered to clients during consultations. This all gives off a suave and sophisticated feeling, putting the client at ease.
On the site of a former art gallery, the flagship Thom Sweeney store is the home of their bespoke garments. There are workshops and cutting rooms upstairs and in the basement so the process is visible throughout. The interior evokes a classic gentleman’s club, and is designed to make clients feel at home.
Each shop is permanently filled with dynamic, sharp-suited guys, all of whom are thoroughly well versed in the mood of contemporary tailored menswear.
Market position;
- Offering bespoke, made-to-measure and ready to wear, Thom Sweeney have broadened their market enabling customers who can’t afford bespoke but still want amazing quality to be able to purchase their garments. Selling ready-to-wear garments means clients have the option to style themselves more casually within Thom Sweeney's collections, for example wearing their bespoke trousers with a ready-to-wear jumper. Other ready-to-wear options are knit wear, accessories, chinos, shirts and casual jackets.
Thom Sweeney are a fairly modern tailors. They keep designs classic and timeless but add a contemporary feel. A mix between British and Italian tailoring, they hit the right balance of tradition and modernity. This opens the market to younger clientele or older men looking to make their style more contemporary. Although their attitude to design is slightly more relaxed, clients still receive top quality suits constructed using traditional craft methods.
Clientele;
- Clients generally aged 30 and below, though older clients have grown with the business.
- Some clients who were previously with Timothy Everest followed Luke and Tom over to Thom Sweeney in 2006.
- Majority male clients though they do make bespoke women’s suits upon request but this is not advertised.
- Some famous faces that adorn Thom Sweeney;
- David Beckham
- Kit Harington
- Eddie Redmayne
- Michael Fassbender
- David Gandy
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Matt Smith
- Bradley Cooper
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