There’s nothing more quintessentially British than Land Rover and suits. Celebrating 50 years of the Range Rover, Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Land Rover Chief Creative Officer, designed a special fabric with one of Savile Row’s founding tailors, Henry Poole & Co.
Dreamt up on the sands of Anglesey by Maurice and Spencer Wilks, the world’s first luxury SUV defined the market in 1970. It’s hard to imagine that five decades on, the automotive icon cobbled together from aluminium because steel was in short supply following World War II, and its sea-green shade came from surplus military aircraft paint, has evolved into a family of desirable and capable luxury vehicles with a compelling blend of design, refinement and engineering innovation.
Both Henry Poole and Range Rover have a unique heritage and the ability to create highly desirable products. The exclusivity of both the Henry Poole jacket and the Range Rover Fifty edition make it a rarity which is something that appeals to both Henry Poole and Range Rover customers. – Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Land Rover Chief Creative Officer
As a symbol of war, the Land Rover is a machine that defines stereotypical British pluck and courage – as a cultural icon, the Land Rover is very much intrinsic to the fabric of Britain as the monarchy and the suit. One of Savile Row’s founding tailors, Henry Poole & Co. have produced 131 yards of the lambswool fabric, enough to make 50 bespoke jackets for the landmark anniversary of Range Rover.
Purpose built to get from A-B, the original Range Rover conquered fields, swamps, sand and any matter of obstacles that prevented those in rural areas going about their daily business. And like other purpose built objects in the world (Louis Vuitton’s ocean going waterproof canvas traveller’s trunks come to mind) which eventually became luxurious products, the rough and tumble vehicle became a status symbol in and of itself.
Over the decades, the practical behemoth has undergone aesthetic updates and improvements; and interiors have become luxurious and enjoyable, as opposed to simply practical. Chief Creative Officer McGovern focuses on three key elements of emotional design. “The first is visceral – when you look at it do you desire it. The second is behavioural – when you use it does it do what it’s meant to do. And finally, reflective – once you have experienced it, does it continue to excite.”
It has been a fantastic opportunity to work with Gerry McGovern and develop a jacket to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Range Rover. The cloth has been inspired by a heritage colourway featuring a Tuscan Blue lining and Bahama Gold under-collar. – Simon Cundey, Henry Poole & Co Managing Director
Indeed, like the 50 year old automotive icon it celebrates, suits too are meant to convey an air of formality and regal attractiveness and for those who have experienced particularly well tailored bespoke editions, the suit continues to excite: The fabric, the first decision made during the commission of a bespoke suit, is woven in Somerset by cloth manufacturer Fox Brothers & Co Ltd, and is inspired by the exterior paint colors of the original 1970 Range Rover. Tuscan Blue, Bahama Gold and Davos White have been combined to create a new twist on the classic dogtooth check fabric.
Simon Cundey, Henry Poole & Co Managing Director said, “The Range Rover x Henry Poole & Co collaboration works so well as both brands have traditional roots, yet with a modern approach that offers the very best in quality and luxury.”
Each jacket will be tailored to meet each customer’s individual requirements, designed to have a modern casual twist, which can also be worn with timeless elegance. The comfort that comes with Henry Poole pure bespoke tailoring completes the pinnacle of Savile Row tailoring.
Celebrations are not limited to the 50 bespoke jackets. The same vehicle colours are available for the first time in 35 years on the limited-edition Range Rover Fifty. Limited to 1,970 units globally, it celebrates half a century of pioneering innovation and unparalleled all-terrain capability.
Building on the luxuriously appointed Autobiography, the Range Rover Autobiography Fifty Edition features bespoke exterior accents in Auric Atlas as well as two unique 22-inch wheel designs. The badging has a handwritten ‘Fifty’ script created by Gerry McGovern, which will appear on the exterior of the vehicle and throughout the interior on the unique ‛1 of 1970’ center console commissioning plaque, headrests, dashboard and illuminated tread plates.
