Ozwald Boateng: The famous Saville Row Tailor with a Passion for Colour

January 14, 2025
Stelios Pentarvanis
Since the `90s, Boateng has established himself as a beloved designer for those seeking a classic suit with contemporary references—pieces that would be hard to find in their father’s or grandfather’s wardrobe.
  • OZWALD BOATENG: THE FAMOUS SAVILLE ROW TAILOR WITH A PASSION FOR COLOUR | Men's Regalia

Born on February 28, 1967, in Muswell Hill, a small neighbourhood in North London, Boateng is the son of parents who emigrated from Ghana in the 1950s. He drew inspiration from the impeccable suits his father wore during his childhood, which ignited his passion for menswear. At the age of fourteen, he began an apprenticeship at a local atelier, sewing suit linings. By sixteen, while studying computer engineering at Southgate College, he was introduced to the art of design and tailoring by his girlfriend, leading him to realise that he needed to pursue a career in fashion design.

His enviable design skills quickly came to the forefront when a menswear shop in Covent Garden showcased his clothing, all before Boateng had even turned 17. The encouragement from this event led him to open his first studio in Portobello in 1991. Just three years later, in 1994, with his mentor and supporter Tommy Nutter—the iconic tailor of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones—he became the first designer to present his collection at Paris Men`s Fashion Week. Instinctively, he knew that English couture held great potential for success on the global stage. The "Classic with a Twist" collection was a tremendous success, and with the proceeds, he opened his first boutique at the southern end of Saville Row in 1995. His vision was to offer a bespoke, contemporary cut to suits that would embody a spirit of freedom for the wearer, emphasising individuality and personality.


His work, highly unconventional by the standards of classic menswear, boasts elaborate embroidery on jackets and vibrant colours, such as orange and his favourite, purple. Nevertheless, traditional techniques have always played a central role in his suits. It is no surprise that from 2003 to 2007, he was appointed as the first creative director for the menswear collections at Givenchy, where he successfully revitalised the brand`s menswear division, bringing it back into the spotlight.

Creative on multiple levels, Boateng often opens his fashion shows with a short film that captures the essence of the collection. His talents in directing and scripting these films have garnered praise from the public and critical acclaim alike. He has collaborated with Poltrona Frau on a collector`s furniture range, partnered with British Airways to design crew uniforms, and designed a luxurious amenities package for Virgin Atlantic`s first-class passengers, recognised as the most elegant kit ever presented by an airline to its privileged travellers. His work in costume design for film and television includes dozens collaborations, from Hannibal, The Morning Show, Sex and the City, The Matrix, Ocean`s 13, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and many more. Among his admirers are distinguished figures like fashion editor Edward Enninful, director Spike Lee and Andy Serkis, celebrated for his role in The Lord of the Rings.

Boateng`s menswear designs have inspired a younger audience to explore the classic style of the Saville Row ateliers, coinciding with his move to this renowned street in the British capital. In 2008, he opened his expansive and iconic flagship store at the corner of Clifford Street, where his passion for colour harmoniously blends with a contemporary aesthetic that draws on classic décor elements.


His influence on contemporary menswear is so profound that in 2005, the Victoria and Albert Museum honoured him with a twenty-year retrospective of his work. In 2007, he orchestrated a performance at the 9th Annual African Summit in Accra, Ghana`s capital, which celebrated the country`s fifty years of independence and marked the end of two hundred years of the transatlantic slave trade.

Ozwald Boateng has been a prominent figure in the fashion industry for over 25 years, redefining menswear with a new silhouette and a bold colour palette. He has created a striking, classically twisted sense of style that many men had never envisioned, even with access to offerings from well-known luxury brands. He is widely credited with introducing Saville Row Tailoring to a new generation. As noted by the Evening Standard  years ago, he has been recognised as one of London`s most influential designers. In 2006, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and the Queen even visited his shop.

In a recent interview, he discussed the issues of racism he has faced throughout his career. Still, nothing could stand in his way, including the connections to the esteemed heritage of Savile Row, which served as a cornerstone of his outstanding career. Ozwald Boateng has made history—and he shows no signs of slowing down. 

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