Competitiveness in a Slow Relational Production Network

Global clothing production has given rise to fast fashion strategies adopted by the majority of fashion retailers. However, there is a production network located in London, one of the most expensive areas in the world. The Savile Row tailors using craft techniques slow by nature have never outsourced production to remain competitive. In line with the resource-based view, the relational view, and global production networks theories, the authors devise a conceptual framework as they seek to explore how competitiveness can be achieved within a slow production network. A single case study of London’s Savile Row tailoring operations is adopted. This self-reliant network has managed to acquire capabilities and specialized knowledge and transform them into core competences, thus generating competitiveness. The perennial values of this slow craft and its recent international revival secure the tailors’ longevity.