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a Handmade Bespoke Suit Business

5K views 18 replies 12 participants last post by  Sikklightning 
#1 · (Edited)
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, :bow1:
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
 
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#2 ·
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.
 
#3 · (Edited)
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 :lol:
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 :)
 
#9 ·
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.
 
#10 ·
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":eek:hwell:. 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
 
#12 ·
thanks :)

I've seen some bespoke suits site, and its seems that I catch the problems. I'll try to find some better measurement methods to fix this dilemma :lol:

I hope I can post the picture tomorrow. I got one sport blazer finished, not my size so I think I'll take a photo on a mannequin :lol: not the best thing I could do though, using cotton because he want it for summer :wink:
 
#13 ·
a bit of photo that I take yesterday

Clothing Outerwear Cobalt blue Blue Sleeve

overall appearance. I know its a bit blurry, sorry. I'm never been a good photographer :tightlipped:

so I will go straight into details

Blue Shoulder Joint Neck Outerwear


back collar from behind. as you see, I make it smooth from the back, and the back collar designed so to falls perfectly in user's neck

Blue Cobalt blue Electric blue Blazer Button


close up from the collar down to buttons. cleanly done buttonholes and sewings

still, I dont think this is perfect. its done with cotton as a main material, which mean it's not as beautiful as my Super 180 :(

moreover, Its quite hard to imagine how it would falls in the body, right? because its build for a bulky man who desire an American cut. you might notice this suit had a 'boxy' image. its build because I didnt want too much people see the 'bulky fit', if I make it too tight like Brosnan's suit
 
#19 ·
I really like the idea, but the price point has to be right. There are a few concerns as above stated. Companies such as Zegna already offer this service. They send you 6"x6" sample fabrics, and you can call them in or order online, then they will walk them out to your car when you pull up at the store.
 
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