Which Dragons' Den investor bought the clothing retailer Hawes & Curtis in 2002?

Touker Suleyman bought the clothing retailer Hawes & Curtis in 2002.

Hawes & Curtis is a British shirt and clothing brand with roots reaching back to 1913, when it was founded in London. Suleyman acquired the business in 2002 and subsequently developed its retail and online presence, helping turn an established name into a broader modern clothing operation.

The brand is particularly associated with formal shirts, tailoring and menswear, although its range has expanded beyond its original specialist focus. This makes it distinct from Ghost, another fashion business linked to Suleyman but known for fluid womenswear.

Suleyman later became a Dragons' Den investor. His Hawes & Curtis experience gave him a direct connection to manufacturing, sourcing, retail operations and brand repositioning—issues that regularly arise during pitches on the programme.