Our Supporters
The Drapers’ Company is one of the City of London’s ancient livery companies, with its roots firmly in the wool, cloth and textile trades. While our focus today is on philanthropy, education and supporting young people, we remain proud of our textile heritage and continue to champion the skills, craftsmanship and innovation that have shaped the industry for centuries.
Through our support of textile education, traditional craft skills, industry training and opportunities for emerging talent, we help ensure that the UK’s textile and fashion sectors continue to flourish. We work with a range of organisations, colleges and industry partners to inspire the next generation and preserve specialist skills for the future.
As part of this commitment, the Drapers’ Company is proud to support The Golden Shears, celebrating the creativity, technical excellence and dedication of emerging tailoring talent. By investing in young people and promoting high standards of craftsmanship, we honour our historic connection to the textile industry while helping to secure its future.
Ernest Wright has been making scissors and shears in Sheffield since 1902, a city that's been synonymous with cutlery and edge tools for centuries. In the year of the Merchant Taylors' 700th anniversary, we will mark our own 125th anniversary. Within our workshop, each pair of scissors passes through the hands of the team before reaching the putter's bench, where the blades are put together, adjusted and finished to work as one, keeping an endangered craft alive.
We have brought old patterns back into production, including traditional tailor's shears, and are training a new generation in the skills needed to make them. Our connection to Sheffield's cutlery tradition continues through the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire.
Supporting The Golden Shears feels particularly appropriate. Tailoring and scissor-making have always belonged together, and both trades depend on passing skills from one generation to the next. For the competition winners, we will make three 13" Heritage Tailor Shears, finished with solid bronze screws. From putter to cutter.
The Pollen Estate is a historic Mayfair estate with over 400 years of heritage and stewardship. Founded in 1622, the Estate has been serving as a long-term custodian of London’s West End, encompassing Savile Row, Cork Street, Clifford Street and Old Burlington Street. Home to world-renowned tailors, galleries, retail and commercial occupiers, The Pollen Estate plays a central role in supporting the traditions, craftsmanship and cultural character that define this area of Mayfair. Through its stewardship, the Estate continues to nurture Savile Row as the global centre of bespoke tailoring.
The Pollen Estate is proud of its long support for The Golden Shears as it enters its 52nd year.
"Savile Row has a long and distinguished history as the home of bespoke tailoring and we are proud to support The Golden Shears as it celebrates the next generation of exceptional tailoring talent. For The Pollen Estate, supporting the competition is a natural extension of our commitment to Savile Row and its community. We are excited to play a part in discovering and championing the craftspeople who will shape the future of the industry.” - Jenny Casebourne, Property Director at The Pollen Estate
