Scabal continues to create distinctive fabric collections
Scabal is a Belgian textile company renowned for manufacturing men’s clothing and fabrics. Founded in 1938 by Otto Hertz, it is known for producing some of the world’s finest and most luxurious fabrics. Today, Scabal offers over 5,000 premium fabrics, each crafted to the highest standards of quality. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Executive Chairman Gregor Thissen shares insights into the brand’s evolution, commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability efforts, and how Scabal is shaping the future of luxury tailoring in a rapidly changing world.
Scabal has been a pioneer in fine tailoring and luxury fabrics for over 80 years. How has the brand evolved while maintaining its heritage in craftsmanship?
Scabal has been a pioneer in fine tailoring and luxury fabrics for over 80 years. While staying true to its heritage of craftsmanship, the brand has evolved by seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. We have taken our expertise in tailoring and luxurious fabrics and enhanced it with the latest technology, all while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality and artisanal techniques.
Through consistent investment in research and development, Scabal continues to create distinctive fabric collections that are both unique and forward-thinking. Even with technological advancements, we remain deeply rooted in traditional craftsmanship—this balance is what keeps us at the forefront of luxury tailoring.
Our design team’s style has evolved over the years in line with fashion trends and customer preferences, yet we have preserved a strong and recognisable identity. This consistency has helped shape a lasting and respected brand image in the world of luxury menswear.
Scabal is known for developing unique and luxurious fabrics. What are some of the latest innovations or sustainable practices the company is integrating into its textile production?
There are several new collections in the making that will combine creativity (inspiration drawn from the world of arts, for example) and technical innovations (blending ultrafine wools with noble fibres to a new level of sophistication).
In terms of sustainability, at Group level, we are on a trajectory to measurably reduce our carbon footprint and waste output. We are also researching ways to integrate sustainability into our design process, and most notably ensuring that all raw materials that we are using are certified appropriately (RWS, RMS etc.).
Bespoke tailoring is at the heart of Scabal. How has customer demand for customisation changed over the years, and how does Scabal cater to evolving preferences?
Bespoke tailoring is at the heart of Scabal. For us, customisation—or as we prefer to call it, personalisation—has always been central to our business. As a cloth merchant, our very foundation lies in providing fabric for a single, purpose-made garment. Additionally, through our Made-to-Measure garment service, we have built a workshop based on single-piece production, allowing us to craft each garment as truly individual and unique, tailored to each customer’s specific needs.
Over the years, the demand for personalised products has steadily increased and is now a part of everyday life across many sectors. We have observed that the ‘customer experience’ has become increasingly important, and we continually strive to elevate the level of service and personal attention we offer to our customers and their clients.
As consumer behaviour shifts towards ready-to-wear and casual luxury, what role do you see bespoke tailoring playing in the future of fashion?
As consumer behaviour shifts towards ready-to-wear and casual luxury, we believe bespoke tailoring will continue to play a vital role in the fashion landscape. Casual and bespoke are not mutually exclusive—true comfort and fit are often best achieved through a custom-made garment rather than off-the-rack options.
At Scabal, our extensive fabric collections cater to a broad spectrum of needs—from formal wedding attire to casual weekend jackets and coats. Whether our customers are dressing for business, leisure, or special occasions, we offer tailored solutions to match their lifestyle.
Moreover, ready-to-wear and custom-made pieces can be effortlessly combined to create distinctive, personal looks. We are not concerned about shifts in consumer behaviour—these changes began years ago and have already been successfully integrated into our business model.
With increasing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced fabrics, how is the luxury textile and tailoring industry adapting to meet these expectations?
In general, I feel the luxury textile and tailoring industry is still struggling to adapt effectively to the growing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced fabrics. There remains a great deal of red tape and, unfortunately, greenwashing within the sector.
At Scabal, sustainability is embedded in our core. As an intrinsically eco-conscious company, we sometimes find it challenging to navigate this complex landscape, but we remain steadfast in our commitment. We will continue to uphold and further strengthen our environmentally responsible business model, regardless of external pressures or trends.
Sustainability is a growing concern in the luxury fashion industry. How is Scabal ensuring ethical sourcing of raw materials and reducing its environmental footprint?
Sustainability is an increasingly important concern in the luxury fashion industry, and at Scabal, we are committed to responsible practices at every stage. We work closely and personally with raw material producers—particularly wool growers—to ensure that vital issues such as animal welfare and land preservation are addressed with the seriousness they deserve.
Our business model itself promotes sustainability. As we focus on purpose-made, made-to-measure, and made-to-order garments, we inherently generate less waste and significantly reduce landfill compared to traditional ready-to-wear production. We are also exploring ways to repurpose even the minimal excess fabric we produce, with the aim of upcycling it into new products.
Additionally, we are transitioning all our sites to solar power, actively working to lower our environmental footprint. We prioritise the use of recyclable materials wherever possible and are embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations.
With automation playing a growing role in manufacturing, what steps is the industry taking to preserve traditional craftsmanship while integrating modern efficiencies?
As automation becomes more prominent in manufacturing, preserving traditional craftsmanship remains a key priority. This is largely achieved through consistent training and ensuring that valuable knowledge and skills are retained in-house.
Importantly, we see technology and craftsmanship not as opposing forces but as complementary ones. When used thoughtfully, modern efficiencies can support and enhance traditional methods. However, it is essential never to lose the human touch—the trained eye and skilled hand remain irreplaceable in delivering true quality and authenticity.
How are digital innovations, such as AI, virtual fittings, and 3D weaving, transforming the luxury tailoring and fabric industry?
Digital innovations such as AI, virtual fittings, and 3D weaving are poised to significantly transform the luxury tailoring and fabric industry. At Scabal, we recognise the importance of these developments and are not resistant to change—in fact, we are eager to embrace these advancements, not for novelty’s sake, but to genuinely enhance and improve our existing processes.
AI, in particular, holds potential across various areas of our business—from streamlining administrative and compliance tasks to supporting design and marketing efforts. Virtual fittings and 3D weaving also offer exciting possibilities in improving customer experience and customisation.
As the pace of innovation accelerates, the key will be to focus on solutions that bring true added value, rather than simply adopting technologies that appear impressive but offer little real benefit.
With technology playing a significant role in retail, how is Scabal leveraging digital tools and e-commerce to enhance customer experience while maintaining the exclusivity of bespoke tailoring?
Technology is playing an increasingly vital role in retail, and at Scabal, we are embracing digital tools to enhance the customer experience while preserving the exclusivity of bespoke tailoring. We have recently launched our own e-commerce platform and are steadily building expertise in this space.
On the B2B side, we have adopted a range of digital solutions to improve efficiency for our partners. This includes an online fabric catalogue for easy ordering, digital bunches to showcase key collections, and immersive 3D studio content that presents our fabrics in unexpected and creative ways.
We firmly believe that online and offline experiences must work hand in hand. For the luxury consumer, the ability to move seamlessly between the two worlds is essential. Whether in a physical store or navigating our digital platforms, the customer experience should always feel intuitive, personal, and equally enjoyable.
How does Scabal navigate global market trends and expansion while keeping the brand’s identity intact across different regions?
Navigating global market trends while maintaining brand identity is indeed a complex challenge and requires our constant attention. In today’s climate, we are seeing contrasting developments—social media promotes the global standardisation of fashion trends, while geopolitical shifts are leading to more regionalised and fragmented clothing preferences. This is an ongoing dynamic, and its long-term impact remains to be seen.
At Scabal, we have always stayed true to our unique design handwriting. While we do study local trends and market evolutions, we strive to uphold a consistent level of internationally recognised sophistication that transcends regional differences. The breadth of our collection—featuring over 4,500 designs—enables us to cater to diverse markets while remaining faithful to our brand’s core identity.
What are the key regional differences in the demand for luxury fabrics and tailoring, and how do brands adapt to diverse customer expectations across markets?
There are notable regional differences in the demand for luxury fabrics and tailoring, and climate is becoming an increasingly decisive factor. As hotter regions experience rising temperatures and colder areas face more extreme weather, fabric preferences shift accordingly. Customers are now seeking lighter cloths for summer and more resilient, functional materials for the other seasons.
On the design side, we also see clear distinctions—for example, the colours and patterns preferred in the US can differ significantly from those favoured by Asian customers. While the depth of our collection helps address these variations, we go further by investing time in understanding and anticipating regional preferences.
Our local teams across the globe play a key role in this process. They maintain close communication with customers in their markets, ensuring that we stay well-informed and responsive to diverse expectations.
What are the biggest challenges the luxury fabric and tailoring industry is facing today, and how is Scabal adapting to overcome them?
The luxury fabric and tailoring industry is currently facing a notable downturn, with many consumers losing faith in the intrinsic value of so-called luxury products. This has prompted several major houses to reassess and re-establish their positioning.
Fortunately, Scabal has remained largely unaffected by this trend. We have never compromised on quality, and this steadfast commitment continues to set us apart. We believe—and are already seeing early signs—that both luxury brands and discerning customers are turning to us in search of genuinely authentic, high-quality luxury products.
Scabal has worked with Hollywood costume designers and other creative industries. Are there any recent or upcoming collaborations that excite you?
This is something that we tend to keep quite secret and will only disclose it when it is released.
What is your long-term vision for Scabal, and what key milestones do you hope to achieve in the coming years?
Our long-term vision for Scabal is rooted in maintaining our unwavering commitment to excellence and quality. It is essential that we never compromise our values or aspirations in pursuit of quick wins or excessive growth.
We aim to expand our product range, but always with the same rigorous expertise and control over the production process that has built and sustained our reputation. Educating and inspiring the discerning customer to appreciate the value of quality craftsmanship—and to embrace the philosophy of ‘less but better’—will remain a central focus.
Additionally, we see great potential in new and emerging markets, which we believe will offer exciting opportunities for growth while allowing us to share our heritage of luxury and craftsmanship with a broader global audience.
