Kathryn Sargent made history as the first woman to open her own tailoring house on London’s legendary Savile Row — a street long regarded as the stronghold of bespoke menswear. In this powerful episode, she shares her journey from art-loving Leeds teenager to master cutter and internationally respected business owner.We dive into the traditions, challenges, and quiet revolutions of bespoke tailoring. Kathryn opens up about the gender barriers she faced, the emotional depth behind each suit, and how she now tailors for everyone from CEOs to creatives — with more women coming through her doors than ever before.It’s a conversation about slow mastery, style as identity, and what it really means to break the rules with purpose. Key TakeawaysTailoring isn't about fashion — it's about identity, confidence, and expressionKathryn was the only woman in a class of 60 on Savile Row — and still carved a space through grit and craftShe spent 10 years training, often unpaid, learning by watching and staying lateClients today are 40% women — many of whom had never considered a bespoke suit an optionShe sees suits as emotional containers: worn at weddings, funerals, new jobs — milestones of lifeBeing the "first woman" was never her goal — doing great work always wasHer dream client? James Bond — and she has the sketches readyKathryn co-founded Women in Tailoring to give women support she never hadHer best advice: Dare to say no to what doesn’t align with you — and always keep going Timestamps00:00 — Intro: Kathryn’s childhood in Leeds and obsession with clothes04:21 — Why menswear? Kathryn’s early style icons and influence from her dad08:53 — The Savile Row break — winning an award and standing out with bright Harris Tweed11:37 — Apprenticeship realities: being the only woman in a room of 60 men16:41 — “They said we’re a masculine brand” — why she left and started her own house22:10 — Becoming a master cutter and opening on Savile Row under her own name28:45 — The shift: 40% of her clients are now women35:33 — Bespoke as emotional work — Kathryn shares the intimacy behind tailoring41:20 — What happens in a fitting room stays there: suit stories you’d never expect47:12 — Why we still need suits — and how the uniform can still empower52:00 — Dream client: James Bond — and her playful take on redesigning the classic suit56:11 — Growing to Edinburgh and expanding the business with a different pace1:03:10 — Kathryn’s dare for women: say no, trust yourself, and stay on your own path Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.