Charles F. Hilditch and W. Graham Key, who'd trained together at Harman's on Duke Street, opened their own shop on Tottenham Court Road in 1899, aiming it at university undergraduates before moving to Jermyn Street a few years later. A Paris store on Rue de Rivoli followed in 1907, and after the original Jermyn Street premises were destroyed in the Blitz, the company settled permanently at number 39. Karl Lagerfeld became one of its most devoted customers, at one point owning more than 1,000 Hilditch & Key shirts, and the house has also produced shirting for Dior, Chanel and Givenchy.