28 Sackville Street
By Neil Cunningham
For eleven years 28 Sackville Street was the centre of operations for my business. Joining Savile Row to Piccadilly, sandwiched between Regent Street and Old Bond Street, Sackville Street was a perfect shopping destination. The shop itself had once been The Sackville Gallery (1912-1939) exhibiting mainly old masters, and stretched back for over 1034 sq feet giving the boutique a great deal of breathing space – more the feeling of a small department store.
The building was also well set back from the road creating even more space for clients taking delivery of their gowns, and couriers; metered parking was available right outside the shop too. Clients often described the store’s ambience in glowing terms – an oasis of peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly.
At the rear of the shop was a spacious mezzanine which provided a superb workroom. We were extraordinarily lucky to have skylights and windows: no flourescent lit dungeons for my cutters and seamstresses.
My sister worked with us for several years after university and has said that although Oxford had given her an education, Sackville Street was like a finishing school – the range of people who walked into the shop over the years was truly astonishing and many commissions would take you on a small adventure.
“An oasis of peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly.”
