Alex Kleppe, our head custom clothier at Christian Boehm, sat down with Craig Worthiem from the House of Scabal for an exclusive interview on what makes Scabal one of the most exclusive cloth mills in the entire world.
Currently Craig serves as the Vice President of the United States and Canada for Scabal.
About Scabal
Founded in 1938 in Brussels by Otto Hertz, Scabal was originally a cloth merchant and supplier of fabrics. His successor is JP Thissen, Chairman Scabal Group, who is assisted by his son Gregor Thissen (CEO Scabal Group), the third generation. In 1938, Scabal had just 6 employees, today Scabal employs approximately 600 staff worldwide.
Over the years, Scabal has evolved from a simple supplier of fabrics into a supplier of top quality fabrics to the most prestigious tailors and textile businesses around the world. Scabal has remained true to its roots and is one of the most innovative developers of new fabrics, creating new fabric qualities year after year, such as Gold Treasure, Diamond Chip, Temptation, Lapis Lazuli, Summit, and Private Line. In this regard, Scabal has constantly engaged in research for ever finer and more luxurious fibers and fabric qualities.
Scabal cloth is what a bespoke suit starts with. From successful businessmen and politicians to Hollywood actors, their fabrics and apparel are worn all over the world.
Scabal suits have been featured in a number of Hollywood films, such as The Godfather, Casino, Wall Street and Titanic.
Exclusive Scabal Fabric Collections
Treasure Box
These luxurious suiting fabrics are made of Super 150's worsted wool interwoven with platinum and 24-carat gold threads. Available in dark blue, anthracite and black, they come in a classic stripe design and have a glimmering sheen.
Diamond Chip
The Diamond Chip Edition includes lightweight fabrics made of Super 150's merino wool and silk. Tiny particles of precious diamonds converted into threads lend a luxurious glow to their surface. This collection comes in two qualities: suiting fabrics and jacketing fabrics.
Lapis Lazuli
This exclusive suiting collection combines Super 150's worsted wool with cashmere and tiny particles of lapis lazuli. Myriads of fragments of this rare mineral are blended into the fabric to enrich the color and give it a subtle luster. The selection includes fabrics in various shades of blue.
Sapphire
A new introduction from Scabal, the Sapphire collection is a wool flannel in Super 150's wool with a natural stretch that has been achieved solely through the weaving process. The cloth has a superior softness and you will notice that it has a semi milled finish which gives the colour a muted effect.
Noble Star
The mark of a master tailor is to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Scabal strives to create the very best cloths to help tailors with that task. Take the new Noble Star as an example: it is a fabric of precision, a rarefied balance of touch, softness, richness and strength. Hand-crafted at Scabal's Yorkshire mill entirely from high-quality Super 200's wool, it makes for superior suits at a comfortable 320g weight.
Pure Vicuna
The fruits of nearly 500 years of such passionate dedication sit before you, but just like the noble Incas before us, we have selected only the very best Vicuna strands from Peru. Only 1/100 of the fibres available can be combed in the special way we require before they can be woven. This adds an even more exclusive element to such a miraculously rare fibre, and guarantees an unparalleled level of quality, not to mention luxury.
The Scabal Difference: Innovation Meets Tradition
What sets Scabal apart from other luxury mills is their relentless commitment to innovation while maintaining deep respect for traditional weaving methods. Their Yorkshire mill, which has been operational for centuries, combines time-honored techniques with cutting-edge technology. This fusion allows Scabal to produce fabrics that are technically superior while retaining the character and soul that only a heritage mill can impart.
Scabal invests heavily in research and development. Their team of textile engineers continually experiments with new fiber blends, weaving structures, and finishing techniques. This dedication to advancement is why Scabal holds numerous patents and industry firsts, including being the first mill to successfully incorporate precious metals and gemstones into woven fabric.
Choosing the Right Scabal Fabric for Your Lifestyle
When selecting a Scabal fabric for your custom garment, consider how and where the suit will be worn. For business professionals who wear suits daily, the Super 150's worsted wool collections offer an excellent balance of durability, drape, and comfort. These fabrics resist wrinkling naturally and maintain their shape through long days of travel and meetings.
For special occasions and statement pieces, the Treasure Box or Diamond Chip collections provide an unmistakable touch of luxury. These fabrics are conversation starters, perfect for galas, award ceremonies, and high-profile events where you want to make a lasting impression.
For Miami clients, Scabal's lightweight collections are particularly appealing. Their tropical weight wool fabrics breathe beautifully in warm, humid conditions. The natural moisture management of premium wool means you stay comfortable even when the temperature rises. A Scabal-fabric suit in a lightweight weave is an excellent choice for outdoor events, destination weddings, and the Miami social season.
Scabal Fabric Care and Maintenance
To preserve the exceptional quality of your Scabal-fabric garments, proper care is essential. Always store your suits on wide wooden hangers that support the shoulder structure. Allow at least 24 hours between wearings to let the fabric rest and recover its natural shape.
For routine maintenance, use a soft-bristle brush to remove surface dust and debris after each wearing. Steam your garments rather than ironing them directly, as steam refreshes the fibers without causing shine or damage. Professional dry cleaning should be done sparingly, only when truly necessary, as repeated chemical cleaning can strip natural oils from the wool fibers.
With proper care, a Scabal-fabric custom suit will maintain its beauty and performance for many years, making it one of the finest investments you can make in your wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scabal Fabrics
What makes Scabal fabrics so special?
Scabal combines the finest natural fibers in the world with innovative weaving techniques and, in some collections, precious materials like gold, platinum, and diamonds. Their commitment to research and development means they continually push the boundaries of what luxury fabric can be.
Can Scabal fabrics be worn in warm climates?
Absolutely. Scabal offers specific lightweight and tropical weight collections designed for warm-weather wear. The natural breathability of premium wool makes these fabrics comfortable even in Miami's climate, while maintaining the elegant drape and structure that Scabal is known for.
How do I care for a suit made with precious metal threads?
Garments from the Treasure Box collection require standard professional dry cleaning. The precious metal threads are permanently integrated into the weave and will not be affected by normal cleaning processes. Always inform your cleaner if the fabric contains special materials so they can take appropriate precautions.
