Breaking Barriers: Daisy Knatchbull’s Revolutionary Women’s Tailoring House on Savile Row

British entrepreneur Daisy Knatchbull made history as the first woman to establish a tailoring house on London’s prestigious Savile Row exclusively serving women. Launched in 2019, her B Corp-certified brand has transformed traditional suit-making for contemporary women, challenging conventions while maintaining time-honored craftsmanship. The company’s mission centers on empowering women through expertly crafted clothing. In this interview, Knatchbull discusses her journey building this pioneering business, adapting to industry changes, and maintaining agility as her competitive advantage.

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Knatchbull’s career began at Huntsman on Savile Row, one of the most prestigious tailoring houses in the district. She spent five years as the brand’s communications director, immersed in the traditional world of men’s bespoke tailoring. During this time, she recognized the lack of comparable options for women, which ultimately inspired her to found Knatchbull in 2019. The brand was created to provide women with equal access to expert tailoring and sartorial understanding that men have enjoyed on Savile Row for centuries.

Integrity remains the cornerstone of Knatchbull’s business approach. This commitment extends to garment construction, quality standards, and environmental responsibility. The brand positions itself as an alternative to fast fashion, supporting responsible textile producers with transparent supply chains. B-Corp certification reinforces these principles daily, ensuring ongoing accountability and transparency. Knatchbull maintains unwavering dedication to client service and fostering a community of women around the brand.

Consumers today are more conscious shoppers… They seek out authenticity, fair pricing, and a commitment to looking after our planet.

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Entrepreneurship presents inherent challenges, with dramatic highs and lows. Knatchbull launched during a pivotal period for both retail and global affairs, navigating Brexit followed by the pandemic. While these external factors presented obstacles, they also created opportunities for growth. The experience reinforced that business leaders cannot control external circumstances, making agility and adaptability essential for success, particularly in today’s volatile political and economic climate.

Opening the Savile Row storefront stands as one of Knatchbull’s most significant achievements. The brand became the first women’s-only tailoring house to establish a presence on the historic street in its 200-plus year history, occupying the largest shopfront on the entire block. Savile Row represents the pinnacle of tailoring excellence, yet for generations it served primarily male clientele. Establishing this space created unprecedented opportunities for women to be seen, heard, and understood in bespoke tailoring.

Being agile, and willing to pivot, particularly as a growing business in a volatile political and economic zeitgeist, is key.

Knatchbull’s versatile designs form the foundation of her personal wardrobe. She typically wears made-to-measure or ready-to-wear suits paired with trainers, transitioning seamlessly from casual to formal settings. Her styling ranges from simple T-shirts and knits during daytime to crisp shirts for meetings, and silk camisoles beneath jackets for evening occasions. This adaptability reflects the brand’s core philosophy of creating garments that maximize wardrobe versatility and functionality.

While rooted in Savile Row tailoring traditions, Knatchbull has expanded globally. The brand now operates as a luxury womenswear label serving international clients for diverse sartorial needs. Recent collections have broadened to include more dresses and skirts, particularly well-suited for London’s summer months. Signature pieces include a knit dress and lace skirt that exemplify the brand’s blend of classic tailoring and contemporary design.

Modern consumers increasingly value conscious business practices. Today’s shoppers gravitate toward “quiet luxury,” seeking authenticity, fair pricing, and environmental responsibility. These principles have guided Knatchbull since inception, positioning the brand ahead of evolving consumer preferences.

Women more often put purpose at the heart of their businesses – to serve people and the planet, not just profit

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Entrepreneurship continues to present unique challenges for women, particularly regarding access to funding, leadership representation, and initial self-confidence. With only two percent of venture capital funding going to female-founded businesses, significant progress is still needed. Despite these barriers, the number of women launching businesses continues rising. Female founders increasingly represent solutions to the climate crisis, as women more frequently prioritize purpose-driven business models focused on serving people and the planet rather than purely pursuing profit.

Entrepreneurship can still feel like a more difficult path for women.

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Work-life balance remains an ongoing pursuit rather than a destination. Following health impacts from stress, Knatchbull has prioritized personal wellbeing through structured exercise routines, reduced alcohol consumption, and improved sleep patterns. While mindfulness practices remain on her to-do list, surrounding herself with supportive people helps manage the inevitable sacrifices required when building a business.

Celebrating milestones has become increasingly important for Knatchbull. She makes deliberate time to reflect on the brand’s growth and achievements. Her preferred celebration method involves sharing successes with the team of 65 dedicated employees whose contributions make the business possible.

London holds special significance for Knatchbull, who appreciates the city’s endless offerings and diverse neighborhoods. She particularly enjoys Little Venice, where she formerly lived on a houseboat, and recommends walking along canal pathways on summer days for visitors seeking authentic local experiences.

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