Thread: a Handmade Bespoke Suit Business

I'm not 100% sure, but since what I'll want to discuss will concentrate mainly on its fashion subjects instead of business, I think this will do

all gentleman, I'm starting to build a business of bespoke suit that could be made online (well, you can send your body measurement that you check first at taylor, and send an email)

I've managed to find the excellent manpower that could build excellent suits, I've had enough Good Materials to help me produce good suits (even the 180 wools) and I've managed to launch a website within 3 months from now

my suit will use most of Saville Row's characteristics (since I use Ozwald Boateng and Kilgour as a base, Yes, I torn them apart to find the construction)

now I got little problems...

1. I never really get into fashion business, and my taste was somewhat archaic. any fashion-experienced knows what I have to do?
2. how to actually marketing it? since I'm a new guy in the market, I couldnt hope for heritage
3. how I should set my price? (I dont think I should go face to face to Brioni) but since considering point no.2, even though I'm using handmade bespoke suits to come to the market, I dont know how to set the price. set it too low, people dont think its a handmade bespoke, set it too high people will call you capitalist (yes they say that)

any suggestions? since I'm a newbie in this fashion world (and this forum) I'll really appreciate any suggestion and helps

sincerely,
Reinhard

note: I'll post my prototypes here soon

updates:

I've make a facebook fanpage as an opening before I launch my website. I would be really thankful if you like my page. I would make updates there as well
Gonggrijp-Vander Sanden

I order bespoke suits on a regular basis and I do have some advice:

I had to have a few fittings in order for the suit maker to make it JUST right. Having another tailor take the measurements won't necesserily mean it will fit the way you want it so I'm not sure how you are going to get around this.

Now that the suit maker knows my measurements and I can order a suit, the other problem is not having access to his vast library of fabrics. I have to somewhat describe what I want and send pictures and he will send me swatches but even at that, when the suit or blazer is fully made, it's nowhere near what it looked like as a one inch square swatch of fabric!

You need to figure out how to tackle my above two points before you can think about price and how to market your website/company IMO. Regardless of how much you charge, people will be hesitant to spend any kind of money if the suit won't fit or it's not the the color or fabric they though it would be.

Good luck though, love the idea if you can execute it well. In Asia there are custom suit makers and shirt makers on every corner but they seem to be lacking in the States.

Originally Posted by fixedupw203

I order bespoke suits on a regular basis and I do have some advice:

I had to have a few fittings in order for the suit maker to make it JUST right. Having another tailor take the measurements won't necesserily mean it will fit the way you want it so I'm not sure how you are going to get around this.

Now that the suit maker knows my measurements and I can order a suit, the other problem is not having access to his vast library of fabrics. I have to somewhat describe what I want and send pictures and he will send me swatches but even at that, when the suit or blazer is fully made, it's nowhere near what it looked like as a one inch square swatch of fabric!

You need to figure out how to tackle my above two points before you can think about price and how to market your website/company IMO. Regardless of how much you charge, people will be hesitant to spend any kind of money if the suit won't fit or it's not the the color or fabric they though it would be.

Good luck though, love the idea if you can execute it well. In Asia there are custom suit makers and shirt makers on every corner but they seem to be lacking in the States.

well I notice those 2 problems
first : well, it will be a bit hard since sometimes a measuring tape the taylor use between one and the others could be slightly different. I'm thinking on using much more detailed parameters on the body measurement, so they can much more 'fit' on bespoke suits. even so, I still had doubt on using it, but I'll test it first
second: definitely. some camera tend to makes colours to be changed in pictures. let alone the lens, even the contrast-brightness could make a major differences. need to take the photo by myself, repeatedly. I think... though I doubt I could really catch some shiny fabrics (which is one of the hardest to be pictured, some camera tend to change its colours thoroughly. I've tried to photo some gold fabric and ended up silvery grey) need a better camera, perhaps
your post about fabric collection really makes me think though. maybe I'll settle with few but really good fabrics with very detailed looks, and left lesser quality fabrics for less-exclusive products (that need less exclusivity)

I'm really grateful with your opinion, this really helps me reshaping my plan

Originally Posted by fixedupw203

I order bespoke suits on a regular basis and I do have some advice:

I had to have a few fittings in order for the suit maker to make it JUST right. Having another tailor take the measurements won't necesserily mean it will fit the way you want it so I'm not sure how you are going to get around this.

Now that the suit maker knows my measurements and I can order a suit, the other problem is not having access to his vast library of fabrics. I have to somewhat describe what I want and send pictures and he will send me swatches but even at that, when the suit or blazer is fully made, it's nowhere near what it looked like as a one inch square swatch of fabric!

You need to figure out how to tackle my above two points before you can think about price and how to market your website/company IMO. Regardless of how much you charge, people will be hesitant to spend any kind of money if the suit won't fit or it's not the the color or fabric they though it would be.

Good luck though, love the idea if you can execute it well. In Asia there are custom suit makers and shirt makers on every corner but they seem to be lacking in the States.

Very good points.

I have a guy in Thailand I had make me some suits while I was there. Im not too particular about fabrics and he has great taste, so all I do is tell him what color, style, lapel, buttons, etc and he makes it and sends it out. $100-$200 plus shipping.

when are you posting the pics?

Originally Posted by Scott D

Very good points.

I have a guy in Thailand I had make me some suits while I was there. Im not too particular about fabrics and he has great taste, so all I do is tell him what color, style, lapel, buttons, etc and he makes it and sends it out. $100-$200 plus shipping.

I think thats explain one clear point. a luxury bespoke also features premium materials, when 180 light wool nor cashmere might means nothing to the masses, it do make a clear difference when its come to the appearance of the suit itself. I've been to some tailor in Asia (not just Thai, but Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam) and its seems that there's quite a few tailor that really understand what kind of fabric that they actually use. some even dont know what 80 or 180 difference (thank God they still know which one is better) and Cashmere is Arabian wool in the thoughts of some. luxury materials is do available there, in a scarce place and amount. mostly goes to Italian and Saville Rows.

FYI, Cashmere and wool that exceeds number 100 will cost a fortune as well. we can't hope to have $900 worth fabric at $200 suits

I feels like I talk about Bentley and get an answer about Suzuki Ertiga

Originally Posted by 3boudi

when are you posting the pics?

this week for sure, I got so many work to do between monday and Thursday. I'm sorry for it

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I actually think to give some standart size suits (like 54) to the people who unable to pay for premium on bespoke, so they can enjoy great suits with a price tag that wont make a hole in the pocket. featuring good materials (but not premium like the bespoke featured with, since the material itself could be as expensive as $900 in the premium fabrics) that will make those suits still reachable by the masses but not too expensive

I think this is a great idea if you can pull it off. I have never ordered a custom suit, but if things go well Id def be interested! Good Luck!

Originally Posted by sn2bL4P

I think this is a great idea if you can pull it off. I have never ordered a custom suit, but if things go well Id def be interested! Good Luck!

thanks guys remind me to make a L4P limited editions when I'm finally taking off

Goodluck on your new venture.

It sounds like you need to research, research, research your competition. Knowing EVERYTHING about your competition will better help with answering the questions you have.

There are a lot of online retailers and travelling 'trunk shows' that are in this business which will make your job more difficult if you try to compete with them. Finding something that will separate yourself from the rest will go along way. For example contacting someone who has experience hacking xbox kinect and having the kinect scan your body and take accurate measurements I know that is impractical idea but something that will get people talking.

again, all the best.

Originally Posted by PLAYDIUM

Goodluck on your new venture.

It sounds like you need to research, research, research your competition. Knowing EVERYTHING about your competition will better help with answering the questions you have.

There are a lot of online retailers and travelling 'trunk shows' that are in this business which will make your job more difficult if you try to compete with them. Finding something that will separate yourself from the rest will go along way. For example contacting someone who has experience hacking xbox kinect and having the kinect scan your body and take accurate measurements I know that is impractical idea but something that will get people talking.

again, all the best.

its been a year since I do my first research. I learned to start fixing lines of supply, training the workers to make excellent suits, introducing them 'cuts'.

I really think about your bold parts. its quite hard to find a really catchy gimmicks. maybe the answer(s) isnt too faraway from my views now, since if we want to develop supercar, we dont have to reinvent the wheels

Xbox thing is funny, but I really get the point. some unimportant things but will really attract attentions

I think this is my best decision to ask an opinion about suits, since its the 4. where people understand (and mostly have) luxury. once upon a time in Indonesia, I was asked by a friend about my suit. I answer with 'oxxford' and he say "ah. mine's better. its Zara blazer and it cost $180". I tried my venture in Jakarta and the result is catastrophic. it seems like selling a microwave to people who never have electricity, they dont even know how important suit was