The Diary: Inside the ‘Oscars of Tailoring’, the Golden Shears 2023

This year, Gentleman’s Journal Editor-in-Chief, Harry Jarman, sat on the judging panel of the esteemed tailoring competition…

Founded in 1974 by Robert Bright, the Golden Shears have been dubbed ‘The Oscars of the Tailoring World’. Chaired by Simon Cundey of Henry Poole & Co, applicants are either apprentices with a tailoring company or students on a tailoring course. All have to demonstrate excellence in both their design and tailoring skills and be vetted by their master or course leader.

This year, our own Editor-in-Chief, Harry Jarman, was invited down to represent Gentleman’s Journal on the style judging panel, whilst Dario Canera of Huntsman, Juan Carlos Benito of Hackett and Davide Taub of Gieves & Hawkes were among the judges on the technical panel. From over 70 entries, 22 were selected on technical merit to go through to this esteemed final and be judged by the panel.

First prize went to Mila Dastugue of The Wimbledon College of Arts, who was awarded £3,000. In second place (‘The Silver Shears’), Victoria Demekhina of The Tailoring Academy took home £2,500. And, rounding out the top tailoring three, 3rd prize (or ‘The Rising Star’) was awarded to Imogen Pike of The Wimbledon College of Arts, along with £2,000.

Hosted by Nick Hewer, the awards brought together competitors from a wide range of institutions, including Leeds Arts University, The University of Sunderland, the London College of Fashion, Anderson & Sheppard and the Savile Row Academy. Take a look at some of the finest fashions (and best-dressed guests) below…

Want more tailoring tips? We pick apart the new ‘soft tailoring’ trend, with the help of the experts…

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