1948
The SKOPES brand was born in post war Britain when Sydney Cope established the business in Meanwood Road in Leeds, the heart of the textile tailoring industry in England. Utilizing the latest machining advances of the time, the factory produced the highest quality bespoke trousers using fabrics sourced from Yorkshire’s finest mills. Sydney Cope recognized from the beginning the importance of quality and employed a bespoke team of tailors to produce clothing for the country’s leading stores.

The SKOPES name became famous for its use of cavalry twills, corduroy from the village of Hebden Bridge and the finest worsteds from Huddersfield, the heart of the world’s textile production.

1962
By the time the swinging sixties ushered in a new attitude to fashion and clothing, Sydney’s products had become a prestigious brand supplying the English establishment. While fashion trends in the sixties changed and the market required faster fashion, SKOPES continued to use the finest cloths and bespoke tailoring techniques that had made the company its name. By maintaining its commitment to high quality, the SKOPES brand soared in popularity, leading to Geoffrey Cope, son of the founder Sydney, establishing a ready to wear line of men’s clothing. The popularity of its ready to wear range meant that larger premises were required and SKOPES was on the move up once again, to Cherry Row, Leeds, just a mile from the original shop with the business and the brand going from strength to strength.

The demand from customers for the ready to wear collections meant yet another move to larger premises, for showroom, tailoring services and stock facilities was required and SKOPES moved into York Road, providing the business with the facilities, space and potential for SKOPES to continue its growth into the quality ready to wear market.

1987
In 1987 the family business moved on a generation when Simon Cope, grandson of founder Sydney Cope, took over the reins and began to lead SKOPES toward the 21st century.

Simon began to develop new market areas, supplying casual wear and accessories for a younger audience which was expressing its own style and demands on brands. Although casual and urban, the products retained the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that SKOPES is synonymous for.

Continuing growth led to the company’s fourth move to its current home in purpose built premises in Leeds. The 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art premises feature fully computerized stock tracking and dispatch to final destination, and is a fitting base for a company delivering tailored, smart and casual clothing to an ever expanding customer base.

Throughout every change in the history of SKOPES, one thing has remained constant: the highest quality delivered through the Cope family tailoring traditions.

2007
In keeping with the SKOPES family brand, the son of current manager Simon Cope is destined to take the company forward. Harley Cope, age 11, is currently being versed in the ways of English gentleman’s tailoring…