The Merchant Taylors’ Golden Shears Awards are held biennially to bring together the finest emerging talent in the world of tailoring, showcasing the very best fashion students and apprentice tailors from across the country.
Founded in 1974 by Robert Bright, MBE, then President of the Federation of Merchant Tailors, It has become one of the industry’s most coveted prizes and dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Tailoring World’.
Each competition cycle sees around 20 to 25 finalists selected from an initial pool of 90 entries, following a rigorous assessment of technical skill – from design to cutting and tailoring. To go through to the live final and be judged by a celebrity style panel. This year’s panel included All Saints founder Stuart Trevor, head of fashion at The Telegraph Lisa Armstrong, renowned fashion editor and creative director Catherine Hayward, Will Adams of Dunhill, and Brigitte Stepputis from Vivienne Westwood. Three prestigious trophies were awarded on the night: 1st prize: The Golden Shears and £3,000, 2nd prize: The Silver Shears and £2,500, 3rd prize: The Rising Star and £2,000.
“It is imperative that the clothing industry does all it can to motivate the next generation of fashion leaders, and nothing demonstrates that better than the Golden Shears competition.”
– Simon Cundey, Managing Director
The design of the Golden Shears trophy itself is a nod to the tools of the trade: a pair of traditional cutting shears mounted on a polished mahogany base. The shears represent the craft of the cutter, while the mahogany base symbolises the benches upon which the work is done.
The competition’s finale, consisting of a live catwalk at Merchant Taylors’ Hall – the spiritual home of tailoring – is the only event of its kind dedicated to promoting the best young creative and technical talent in tailoring.
This year’s competition, held on Monday 17th March was of particular significance, marking the 50th anniversary of the Golden Shears Awards. For Henry Poole & Co, it was an especially proud moment, as it featured our very own newly qualified Coat Maker, Wendy Berberi.
When asked about the most challenging elements of creating her pieces for the competition, Wendy pointed to the waistcoat and skirt—garments that took her beyond her comfort zone as a coat maker. “At first, it felt unfamiliar,” she admitted, “but once I got the hang of it, it all started to come together.” Thanks to the solid foundation she built during her apprenticeship, she was able to adapt quickly and apply her tailoring skills in new ways.
When it came to designing her garments for the competition, Wendy found inspiration in none other than Alexander McQueen. “I chose McQueen as my primary inspiration because of how he redefined traditional tailoring and fashion,” she explains. “What makes it even more special is that he started his career as a designer firstly as a coat maker just a few doors down from where we work. It’s surreal to think that he once walked these same streets, perfecting his skills before becoming a global icon.”
Now, post apprenticeship, as she steps into the next chapter of her career, Wendy is most excited about building her own client base. “Having a whole set of customers to myself feels like such a huge milestone.’’
As we reflect on the rich history of the Merchant Taylors’ Golden Shears Awards, we are reminded of Henry Poole’s previous win in 2013 at the hands of Coat Maker Emily Squires, who’s winning outfit comprised of a blue velvet frock coat, a navy moleskin waistcoat and tattersall jodhpurs. That year holds particular significance, as does this year’s competition, not just for Henry Poole, but for the tailoring industry as a whole. Both mark the groundbreaking moments when all three awards were claimed by female entrants in an industry that has long been seen as male-dominated.
The next Golden Shears competition, scheduled for March 2027, will commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Merchant Taylors.
