HISTORY OF southern Drapes

Founded in 1986 by brothers Gary and Dave Griffin, Southern Drapes carries forward a family legacy in soft furnishings. From a modest North West London workshop to one of the city’s largest independent workrooms, craftsmanship and heritage have always been at our core.

In its early years, Southern Drapes was very much hands-on. Gary and Dave built trust with London’s leading hotels and prestigious design houses, responding quickly to their needs and mobilising site surveys within days. Precision and quality became the company’s hallmark, setting the standard for the years ahead.

As demand grew, so did our ambition. The workroom became renowned for delivering large-scale projects without compromise, blending hand-stitching and artisanal craftsmanship to ensure every detail met the highest standard. This reputation secured commissions from London’s most prestigious hotels and creative leaders.

A defining milestone came with the full refurbishment of The Lanesborough in the 2010s. Over two years, Southern Drapes crafted every element of the soft furnishings — from swags and tails to headboards — entirely by hand. The project cemented our reputation for artisanal craftsmanship at scale.

In 2018, as the Griffin brothers retired, ownership passed to Manny Hopkins, a long-time industry colleague. Two years later, amid the challenges of Covid, Ahmed joined with a vision to take Southern Drapes’ five-star credibility to a global audience. Under his leadership, the business has evolved while staying true to its heritage of craftsmanship.

Today, Southern Drapes is a team of skilled artisans, many with decades of experience. Those who joined in the 1980s still embody the culture of care and precision that defines our workroom, ensuring that quality without compromise and lasting client relationships remain at the heart of everything we do.

From family origins to our position today as one of London’s leading artisanal soft furnishing specialists, Southern Drapes has remained true to one ethos: delivering bespoke, hand-made excellence for the world’s most prestigious hotels and residences.