After being sent to Suffolk for the duration of the blitz of London, Angus recalled knowing nothing of the firm’s reputation until he was called before the headmaster at his boarding school, Framlingham College in 1954. Upon being asked what he might venture to do in the future, Angus expressed his interest in joining the Royal Air Force and learning how to fly an aeroplane, which was met by disbelief when his headmaster replied “Cundey! Don’t you know your family has the most famous tailoring company in the world?”’
On deciding to join Henry Poole, Angus studied at the Tailor and Cutter Academy to learn his trade, before being sent to Paris to apprentice for Lanvin’s bespoke department for a year. This experience began his love for the French culture and language that would lead to a career of outfitting important figures such as Valery Giscard d’ Estaing amongst many other famous well-dressed gentlemen in France.
When the company lost 37-39 Savile Row and were forced to move to Cork Street after Westminster acquired the property in 1961, Angus was instrumental in returning the firm back to the Row at number 15 in 1982, realising the importance of residing where the company’s recognition had come from initially as founders of the Row.
Henry Poole & Co acquired space from tailoring houses Strictland & Son and Sullivan Wooley upon their return to Savile Row, bringing into the company cutters from the two houses leading to a golden era that saw Ken Gamble cover the UK, Patrick Mead conduct US Trunk Shows, Alan Alexander & Philip Parker navigate the European market and Angus look after France as well as eventually expand the company’s consumer base to Japan.
During his later years as managing director, Angus realized that a new generation of apprentices was needed to revitalize the trade. Working alongside Philip Parker, Angus developed a continuous program to recruit new groups of apprentices and retain them as long-term employees. Over time, this approach has been successful, with mentors taking on 5 or more apprentices since the inception of the program, confirming Angus’ strong belief in its value to Savile Row. As a result, the SRB was established, incorporating three other foundations that collaborate to uphold the craft of bespoke tailoring and preserve the legacy of the Row as a whole.
His duty also included work towards the BTBA charity committee, founded by his great Grandfather Howard Cundey and two other tailors in the back of a Hansom cab on the way to the theatre in 1887. A concept that was initially created to protect the wives of tailors, who were traditionally employed by their husbands to complete the fine stitching work on garments. Per this agreement, if the wives were widowed or abandoned, they would find themselves destitute without pension and provision. More recently, the committee has become an institute designed to take care of tailors who have fallen on hard times. Angus acted as chairman to the committee over the years and enjoyed many occasions including the annual Summer & Winter Balls, which are still enjoyed by many tailors at present. The summer party has since become an event to celebrate the graduation of apprentices in relation to the SRB scheme.
Arguably, one of Angus’s most significant contributions to the company was his work toward restoring the ledger books contained in the archives. These books list in detail the many famous and infamous male and female customers of Henry Poole from 1846 to the present. Water damaged in 1941 by firemen dousing the building after an incendiary bomb struck, they remained in a perilous state until Angus decided to rebound and restore them for future generations.
Angus maintained strong relationships with many important people, none more noteworthy than HRH Princess Anne. She attended various celebrations at Henry Poole over the course of his career, where they bonded over their mutual love of fabric and the trade, as well as Princess Anne’s presidency of the UK Fashion and Textiles Association. This was not Mr Cundey’s only experience with a royal figure however, as he was presented with an MBE from the queen in 2016 for his services to bespoke tailoring and trade charities.
Mr. Simon Cundey fondly recalls Angus’ passion for gardening, Gigiondas wine, and classic cars, which was sparked by his father, Samuel Cundey, who owned a vintage Frazer Nash. In 1956, at the age of 19, Angus initially wanted to purchase an MG as his first car. However, his father encouraged him to acquire what he deemed a ‘proper car’, leading Angus to place a ‘Wanted Frazer Nash Car’ ad in the local newspapers. When he finally visited the seller, he found the car disassembled into two halves, with its parts scattered across the kitchen, greenhouse, and garage. Undeterred, Angus set his sights on restoring the sports car, embarking on a two-year journey of dedicated work alongside his lifelong friend, Alistair Pugh. The culmination of their efforts allowed Angus to become one of the first individuals to drive through the newly opened Channel Tunnel in 1994.
Angus bequeaths a fine legacy at Henry Poole to his son Simon who is leading the 7th generation with a new team, along with his wife Karin as Company Secretary and their two sons Henry and Jamie in line as 8th generation. Angus is also survived by his daughter Sarah and her husband Craig, along with their children Cameron and Charlotte.
Angus Cundey, A true Gentlemen’s Tailor.
July 7th 1937- 12th of August 2024
