Process
Whether you are looking to commission your first bespoke garment or looking to change tailors, The Bespoke Tailor works with clients to deeply understand your needs and create the perfect outfit for you whatever the occasion.
My Process
The process depends on your needs, so below you will find a guide on how I work and what you can expect.
Rest assured, with 25+ years of experience, you are in safe hands.
1.
Pre Consultation
Whether by email or phone, I gather as much information as possible before meeting you in person. This enables us to pre-select fabrics for you which suit the occasion and the time of year you are wearing the garment, together with any budget constraints you may have.
If you have surfed the internet for ideas, you are welcome to send any images that you’ve seen to help with the selection. I understand that choosing from 5000+ fabrics can be a little daunting.
2.
Initial Consultation
Whether this takes place at The Bespoke Tailor showroom or your home or office, your appointment will be diarised at a time that suits you. I offer many out-of-hours appointments as I understand that my clients are busier than most.
When we meet, we will sit and discuss your requirements in depth, from the work you undertake to the wedding theme. I ask many questions and invest a lot of time at this stage. The more information I have, the better the results.
From this, I present you with some fabric options and invite you to take a look at a wider choice should you wish. Other than the fabric, we then move on to linings, buttons, threads, meltons and other elements that make up the garment.
Once we have the elements together, we then move on to the styling. I will show examples of work that I have underway and talk you through each styling option on lapels, button configuration, external and internal pockets, vents, etc.
I can then talk you through the fitting of your outfit. We are then able to take initial measurements.
At this point, we take a 50% deposit.
3.
Design Presentation
Usually, within 24 hours of the initial consultation, I will take our notes and create a Design Proposal for your sign-off. I formalise each design element and create a rough sketch of your commission. This is sent to you via email in the form of a PDF file.
I ask you to go through this to ensure that I have fully understood your wishes. You are still, at this point, able to change certain elements – lapels, pocket ideas, etc. The only things that are set in stone at this point are the fabrics and going from single-breasted to double-breasted, as it would mean that we don’t have enough fabric arriving.
Once agreed, we can begin!
4.
Make
During the next few weeks (depending on workload, but from 6-16 weeks), the fabrics and all other elements will arrive, and I will work on your garment, ensuring precision throughout.
I work hard to hit deadlines and have worked with thousands of clients who are time-critical. I try to hand over 2 weeks before weddings, but I will explain lead times at the consultation.
5.
Fitting / Handover
This fitting can take many forms. If you choose a handmade garment or are of a shape I feel is complicated, I will do a fitting on a half-made garment. You will be invited to try on, walk, sit, etc and give your thoughts. Other (including previous clients) commissions will be more advanced or even completed at this point. Should any further work be required, this will be undertaken in a timely manner. Small alterations can often be done on the same day.
6.
Post-Handover
Once you have worn the garment and are happy, I will then fix your pattern for any future commissions. Clients often have multiple patterns for formal jackets, casual jackets, tailcoats, trousers, etc. Keeping these on file means that any future work can be undertaken with ease and ensure your formal wardrobe onwards will be as perfect as the first.
