Testimonials
Why did you choose to make this item?
I came into the trade through a love of craft and working with my hands, rather than being a traditional “suit person.” At the time, I was wearing a lot of streetwear and workwear, so I wanted to create something that reflected that, while still respecting the traditions of Savile Row.
It was about combining those two worlds, taking the discipline of tailoring and applying it to something more personal.
What makes the Golden Shears special?
It’s the Oscars of Savile Row. A real showcase of emerging talent, both from the trade and from the schools teaching tailoring.
There’s also a strong sense of heritage. The names on the trophy go back decades. To be part of that history is something special.
How did the Golden Shears help you get to where you are now?
People still talk about it - it comes up in interviews and is widely recognised within the industry. I felt the impact almost immediately, with job offers and a noticeable shift in being on people’s radar.
On the night I won, Kathryn Sargent (a committee member for the Golden Shears, and the world's first female Master Tailor) pulled me aside and very kindly explained what to expect and how it might shape my career. I hadn’t anticipated it, so I was incredibly grateful to her.
Golden Shears Winner 2017
I applied as I knew the cut-off age was 30 and I was turning 30 the following year, so it was a now or never moment. I knew how respected the competition is within the trade, so I chose to go for it!
Please talk us through your design and finished garment
I made an 'alternative' three-piece suit. A sports jacket with four patch pockets, wrapping up over the neck. A pair of dungarees, fastening like braces and a zip-up gilet in cotton canvas with a baseball collar.
The main cloth was brown barleycorn flannel, paired with a checked, peached cotton lining.
At the time I was training as a cutter, not a maker, so I designed the garments around my limitations. Patch pockets are simpler to construct, and the zip-up gilet was deliberately straightforward.
The dungarees were the most enjoyable part to develop. I made several toiles to refine the shape, particularly through the back – I wanted them to sit cleanly and hug the lower back. From that, I developed a waistband that extended up into the front bib, a key detail.
What are you doing now?
I am currently Creative Director of LaLevée, a fashion-led bespoke tailoring brand based in the Netherlands.
Alongside this, I work as a freelance pattern cutter, developing ready-to-wear patterns for the fashion industry, and I take on a limited number of bespoke commissions for private clients.
In 2024, I worked with Patrick Grant on the book The Savile Row Suit. You can find me and my work on Instagram at: @riki.brockman, @atelier.lalevee
What would you say to someone considering entering the competition?
Run, don’t walk! It’s hard. You’ll be exhausted. There’ll probably be tears. But it’s absolutely worth it.
There’s something special about holding a tangible object that started as an idea in your mind. That’s one of the great privileges of what we do.
Forget about the competition - do it for yourself, and you’ve already won.
Why did you apply for the Golden Shears?
Riki Brockman
Meet the competition’s previous winners and finalists and find out where they are now.