Association of British Heritage Engineers

The Association of Heritage Engineers

LEFT AND BELOW Previous tie-ups between tailors and manufacturers include the creation of a lambswool jacket fabric by Henry Poole & Co, inspired by the paint of the original Range Rover to celebrate the iconic model’s 50th anniversary. The Concours on Savile Row is as much about how the beautiful clothing and cars are created as it is about the end results, and within the tailors’ premises there will be plenty of demonstrations of how the suits are made.

To balance that, Savile Row will be home for the two days to the Association of Heritage Engineers, showcasing engineering, fabrication, instrumentation and traditional trimming. The Association of Heritage Engineers is a not-for-profit membership organisation, founded and run by Dominic Taylor-Lane to promote and facilitate the cascade of legacy artisan skills through generations.

Initially the focus was on classic vehicles, but it soon became clear that the issue of a skills gap was far broader. The remit expanded to meet the demand, and AoHE – collaborating with and supporting Heritage Crafts (formerly the Heritage Crafts Association) – is now endeavouring to create what is in effect a ‘National Trust’ for hand, artisan and engineering skills.

As part of a much broader and wider realm of interest, AoHE feels specialist areas can be both more resilient and relevant. Its participation at the Concours on Savile Row will demonstrate that, with the upholstery trimming displays in particular showing the crossover of skills between aspects of automotive and tailoring, while the instrumentation work links closely with the arts of horology and watchmaking.

The Association has brought on board four of its members to work throughout event: Martin Greaves from historic car-restoration and race-preparation specialist Classic Performance Engineering; traditional trimmer Harry Fraser; upholstery, metal-fabrication and sculpture specialist Toby Southan of Southan Industries; and horologist Seth Kennedy.

Be sure to look out for the four skilled engineers in action on Savile Row, and also please do find time to talk with Dominic Taylor-Lane about the opportunities available within heritage engineering. www.associationof heritageengineers.co.uk