History
Gieves & Hawkes' business was originally based on catering for the needs of the British Army and the Royal Navy, and hence by association the British Royal family.
After coming to London in 1760, Thomas Hawkes set up his first shop in 1771 in Brewer Street. Catering for gentlemen, his main clients were commanders of the British Army, through which King George III became a customer. Having expanded his retail operation by moving to No.17 (later number No.14) Piccadilly in 1793, Hawkes gained the first of many Royal Warrants in 1809.
In 1835, James Watson Gieve was employed by 'Old Mel' Meredith, a Portsmouth-based tailor by appointment to the Royal Navy. Meredith tailored the uniform Admiral Lord Nelson was wearing when he was killed in action aboard HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. In 1852, Gieve partnered with Joseph Galt, and in 1887, Gieve purchased the remaining shares to form Gieves & Co. He died in 1888.
On December 23, 1912, Hawkes & Co. bought №1 Savile Row from the Royal Geographical Society for £38,000, in part because the firm had dressed so many explorers. In 1974, Gieves Ltd acquired Hawkes & Co., and the freehold of №1 Savile Row. The company was renamed Gieves & Hawkes.
Customers past and present include: Winston Churchill, Admiral Lord Nelson, The Duke of Wellington, Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jackson, David Beckham, Mikhail Gorbachev, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Diana, Princess of Wales.
The company also produces the uniforms for the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms.
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