SamTalksStyle

Nailing the fit from across the pond.

With the last few years causing many travelling tailors to experience difficulties in maintaining the usual routine of hosting trunk shows around the globe, the consequent industry trend is an increase in makers offering contact-free remote custom tailoring for clients around the globe. The idea presents great potential benefits alongside potential risks; benefits include the ability for makers to reach customers who would previously have been geographically excluded from accessing their services, with customers receiving the other side of that benefit alongside the ability to conduct the whole process from the comfort of home. The risk, naturally, is the inability for the maker to see the client’s body in person; relying on images, measurements and varying degrees of technology to assess the client as best as possible. However, with accurate measurements, good imagery and good technology, it’s possible to overcome the risks.

One such maker offering remote service is Belgian-born tailoring house Senszio, who reached out a few months back and asked if they could make me a suit; I agreed, and they were able to make me a beautiful, well-fitted suit and shirt remotely. Senszio’s product offering consists of two levels; traditional fully hand made bespoke, and an option they refer to simply as ‘custom tailoring’. The latter is the service offered remotely (both are available if attending in person), which sits closer to bespoke than made-to-measure; a less exhaustive process than traditional full bespoke, but retaining some of the most important parts of the fitting and construction process.

Senszio’s custom tailoring utilises an individual pattern to craft the garment, allowing for the fit to be honed much more than if it was tweaked from a base pattern. The construction is full canvas, with handwork used for the most important parts of construction, and customisation options are still very plentiful. The overall scope of the custom tailored offering provides a solid, well-made and competitively priced option for ordering a custom suit from anywhere in the world. Furthermore, in a world where many brands in the tailoring world see an opportunity to take creative license with the meaning of ‘bespoke’, it’s a refreshing display of integrity for companies like Senszio take the position of making a clear distinction between product offerings.
My experience was a great one from start to finish; starting with an initial meeting via Zoom with Senszio’s Prashant Motwani, we discussed my preferences for fit and styling. My history of regularly posting outfits on Instagram came in handy here, as there’s a very clear example of my general fit preferences like wide legged, moderately high rise trousers worn with a belt. I selected a navy windowpane flannel cloth from Vitale Barberis Canonico to be used, on a single breasted suit with triple patch jacket pockets, dark brown horn buttons and a plain blue Bemberg silk lining. I’m not drawn to loud linings for my tailored clothing; most of my previous custom commissions used a subtle stripe. For the shirt, I wanted something that I’d wear a lot so Prashant recommended a crisp white twill from Thomas Mason. Senszio offer a wide range of customisation, however I wanted to stick generally within their house style so I went only with options readily offered. However, they are willing to replicate just about anything, so if you have a particular style of suit you adore from years gone by – or a shirt with a collar you just can’t find another of – you can ship it to Senszio and have it recreated.

When discussing fit, especially online, it’s useful to understand – at least to some degree – your own peculiarities of posture as not all may immediately show in images. I mentioned my head sitting quite far forward, which can lead to collar gaps if unresolved, and my having loose abdominal skin from weight loss; both of these are often played down visually in pictures, but can certainly affect the fit of my clothes. Prashant sent me a comprehensive table of body measurements to fill out, as well as a table for garment measurements as I’d mentioned having previous custom suits with reasonable fit (though I did stress that the Senszio team should always do what they felt was best, as I knew my previous pieces had room for improvement). Already having a fairly comprehensive set of accurate body and garment measurements on hand, I didn’t need to do much to fill the tables, though I noted positively that the tables sent to me were more comprehensive than any I’d seen or used for previous custom garments.

Prashant was very thorough with the measurements, as we had some conversations over the next couple of weeks to double check some of my body and finished measurements. I took this as an excellent sign, and this display of pursuing excellence gave me increased confidence as a new client. Once we had everything dialled in, I settled back for the customary wait while the garments were crafted.

A few weeks passed, and one winter morning was brightened when I got the notification that the package with my suit and shirt was out for delivery. It was well packed and only required minor pressing to get a few minor creases out, as it had been pressed before shipping. What I got when I put it on the first time was the best first fitting I’ve had in my life thus far, made all the more impressive by the fact this was a remote process.

I immediately noticed that the jacket pattern had been crafted with excellent attention to proportion, with all of the elements harmonising to create a wonderfully balanced appearance. The gorge lines up with the shoulders, and the bottom button with the top of the hip pockets. The chest pocket is well placed; something many makers place too high, but Senszio have passed this check with flying colours. Front/back balance is good, with the jacket’s base making a horizontal bisection of the body. Pattern matching of the windowpane is done excellently throughout.

The jacket fits beautifully across the chest and shoulders, with the sleeves also falling cleanly. Importantly, the collar hugs my neck very well, a benefit of it being hand attached. The abdominal button is a trifle snug, however I’ll wear the suit a good dozen or two times before deciding whether to have it let out; flannel is known to stretch a bit from new, and I want to break the canvas in first. The back of the jacket is one of the cleanest I’ve had so far; I have quite a challenging back with plenty of rounded and heavily sloped parts, but the fit of this jacket presents quite a clean picture. Prashant mentioned that he’d like to shorten the sleeves by a quarter of an inch, which we can do for future commissions; I don’t mind a sleeve at this length, particularly in winter.

The trousers, single reverse pleated, fall flawlessly at the front and sides. I had always previously struggled to maintain a semblance of silhouette at the back of trousers while also maintaining comfort, but this has been achieved here. The fit at the waist hits the sweet spot; snug enough to stay up without a belt, but comfortable enough to sit in with no issues. Leg length is spot on. With any trousers I commission, I like to have them just kissing the top of my shoes; that way, when I have the inevitable belt-wearer’s slip throughout the day, I’m left with a tasteful quarter break at the shoes. Some light rippling is notable at the back of my left thigh; caused partly by my standing on uneven ground for the images, but also possibly due to my knock knees skewing at different angles to each other. The latter is something likely best solved by in-person fittings and full bespoke construction; nevertheless, the overall result is excellent, an execution made all the more impressive by the entire process having been remote.

Examining the construction, hand craft is used for the most important parts. The collar, canvas, lapel padding and attaching of the sleeves to the armholes is all done by hand. Additionally, the pic stitching on all outer pockets, vents and sleeves is also done by hand; as are the buttonholes and attachment of the buttons. Inside the jacket, the lining is sewn in by hand; the sleeve lining is also attached to the body lining in this fashion, as are decorative parts such as inner pocket pic stitching and attachment of the hanger loop.

The workmanship and finishing is done with strong attention to detail, and is well executed throughout; something that was immediately apparent when I first put the suit on, and found myself feeling like I’d just slipped into a mixture of a glove and a suit of armour. All stitching is done cleanly, with no errors found on any of the garments; indicative of high craftsmanship standards and solid quality control measures. The trousers feature an after dinner split at the back of the waistband as standard, allowing for a decent meal without the pant becoming tight. The shirt features a very light floating interlining that falls well with the collar both buttoned and unbuttoned; something that only works with light interlinings when quality components and craft are used.

Overall, the fit and craft of these garments make for a suit that fits very well and moves comfortably with my body, which is all that I can ask for! Senszio’s custom tailoring option makes for an excellent value suit; a product more accessible geographically and price-wise than traditional bespoke, yet carefully designed to avoid compromising any of the tenets that constitute a beautifully made, high quality suit.

As of this article’s publication, Senszio’s custom tailored suits start at US$795 inclusive of fabric for a two piece suit, with the traditional bespoke option starting at US$2,500 for a two piece suit. If you wish to be measured in person, Senszio conducts trunk shows throughout the year in most of Europe’s major cities, eight of the USA’s largest cities and Hong Kong. The remote option, naturally, is available year-round and is capable of producing excellent results from afar.

By Sam, SamTalkStyle
Original article

Want something special for Father’s Day for your favorite dad? Has he ever desired a custom-made suit but just couldn’t get himself to Milan or London? Then you’ll be happy to meet Senszio, a luxury tailoring company that makes the trek to you. Senszio’s tailors jet around the world to locations like New York and Boston and will come to your home or office so you can be custom-fitted. (The company also holds trunk shows in hotel suites around the globe.)

Senszio is a family-run company that was founded in 1989 in Brussels as a private tailor to high-profile embassies and consulates. “Time is a luxury, so we fly to you,” says Prashant Motwani, the director of marketing, calling WAG from Hong Kong. Previously, we met with Motwani when he was in Boston doing a trunk show at the InterContinental Hotel, where a suite was filled with swatches of beautiful, imported fabrics, so you could have your pick of the perfect materials for suits, shirts, sports jackets, chinos, polo shorts, outerwear, trench coats and tuxedos. An average suit costs about $1,250. Zegna suits start at about $1,800. A men’s suit made of Loro Piana pure cashmere can cost about $4,000. Sports jackets are around $2,250. Right now, he says, casual business wear – as in chinos – is also popular.

Senszio makes custom clothing for women as well, such as a polo shirt for us in pink. (The shirts retail for about $225). We sent them photographs of us wearing a favorite polo, so the company could determine the fit as well as the shirt itself to use as a template pattern for the new shirt. The process is really easy. It takes about four to six weeks from start to finish. We also happen to love men’s Oxford shirts – they’re great with jeans and pearls – so Senszio also made us a pale-yellow long-sleeve one, with our initials, which we can’t wear enough.

And ladies, if you want that Chanel-style suit – and who doesn’t? – Senszio is the place to go. Motwani says Senszio could certainly make a “Chanel” suit that would cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 – about a 10th of the cost of an actual Chanel suit – depending on the weight of the fabric that you select. I’m sure even Coco herself would be jealous of.

Special for WAG readers: There is a 20% discount (WAG20) off your first suit ordered. And what’s more exciting, Senszio will be in New York City doing trunk shows from July 21 to 24, and also Sept. 8 to 11, so dad can go there and get measured. Talk about a “fitting” Father’s Day gift.

By Debbi K. Kickham Author, WAG Magazine
Original article

The question “What should I wear?” does not necessarily refer to wool socks, thermal underwear and balaclava in the cold season. Winter also means ball season. The dance events are one of the last bastions of formal clothing and comparatively strict dress codes.

Prashant Motwani, chief development officer at Senszio and son of the founder of this Belgian clothing company, which offers tailor-made tailors by means of traveling tailors, explains when men are well dressed and what they should consider with a suit and shirt.

STANDARD: When is a man well dressed?

Motwani: You don’t always need a shirt or wool trousers. A jacket completes a look very well – as long as the jacket fits well, of course. People may not notice tailored clothing, just that it fits well. And if the outfit is color-coordinated: perfect. You don’t always have to wear fine loafers with a suit. Casual models like loafers also fit well. A watch completes the look. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It is important that your style matches the personality of the wearer. I also like it when men wear bracelets. They fit perfectly with a well-cut cuff. But of course not just any festival wristbands from the past ten years, but high-quality bracelets made of leather or metal.

STANDARD: How does the body shape affect the cut?

Motwani: Body shapes are an important factor in styling. Customers with a narrow face should not wear a shirt with a narrow collar. That would make the face look even narrower. Round faces are the same. We would never recommend corpulent customers to patch pockets on the jacket or heavy fabrics. That applies. I would not recommend too tight cuts either.

STANDARD: Do you observe cultural differences when it comes to tailored clothing?

Motwani: The international style is very conservative and low-risk. Classic cuts are appreciated in the USA and Asia. In Hong Kong and China, due to the colonial past, British style influences can be noticed. I would call Japan an extremely fashionable country, especially when it comes to colors and tie fabrics. Japanese are the best-dressed men at almost every fashion event, compared to the rest of Asia, which is more conservative. Slim-fit and modern cuts are very popular in Europe. Skinny looks are often not very flattering and can be aggressive. On Instagram you can often see models whose jackets almost burst on the chest or arms. I would not recommend slim fit in the sense of tight and somewhat shorter pants legs to bankers or lawyers. Especially not if you act internationally.

STANDARD: Are there other job-specific differences?

Motwani: The range on the market has increased in all price segments. Managers used to wear tailored suits. That has now spread to other levels. In the international financial and legal context, most employees have a tailor they trust. Custom-made products are also valued in the creative field. More modern silhouettes are common here.

STANDARD: Are men fashionably not daring enough?

Motwani: We also have more eye-catching fabrics in our range, but they don’t suit my personal taste. I like it more subtle. But what is important is what suits each person. You don’t always have to experiment with color. Effects can also be achieved through materials. For example, many customers have reservations about linen because it wrinkles. But that’s exactly what I like. Linen gives the wearer a casual look. Many customers like fabrics that they can wear all year round. There are beautiful autumn-winter fabrics, flannels or cord. But customers want to be able to wear the pieces all year round. (Michael Steingruber, January 20, 2020)

By Michael Steingruber Founder, Der Standard
Original article

Brussels / Vienna.“Clothes make people” – this winged word is still valid. Clothing regulations have loosened in recent decades – the fashion police are no longer as strict as they once were – but negligence is generally not tolerated today. The higher you are on the career ladder, the finer the circles in which you move, the more likely it is that the outfit will fit – both for the occasion as well as for the personality, style and figure of the wearer.

Traveling tailors

As a rule, even fine logs do not meet these requirements, but only the bespoke production in which the Belgian men’s outfitter Senszio specializes. The company, which was founded in Brussels in 1989, does not rely on stationary shops, but on traveling studios in a growing number of major European and American cities.

The mobile tailoring studios take place in hotel suites – in Vienna Senszio will do the next time from May 9th to 10th at the Intercontinental Station – and offer a stylish and relaxed setting in which the man can use the fashion consultant who takes precise measurements to find the right garment – Complete suit or tailcoat, jacket, gilet, pants, shirt or coats – you can choose.

You can choose between different cuts and a wide range of fabrics in a wide variety of colors and patterns – from classic-traditional to extravagant. Of course Senszio only works with fabrics from top European weaving mills, such as Dormeuil, Scabal, Holland & Sherry, Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna or Thomas Mason. The individualization options of the garments also include the choice of buttons and the colors in which the buttonholes are worked, embroidered monograms and the special position of the pockets of jackets and coats. The program also includes extravagant linings, from flowers to martini glasses to skulls.

Quite individually

“We tailor everything to individual needs. You can also rate it like this: High-quality bespoke clothing that does not satisfy every last detail does not exist, ”explains Prashant Motwani, Business Development Manager Senszio, the philosophy of the family-run company.

Made-to-measure clothing is available in two versions: Custom tailoring with a try-on and a retrospective silhouette gives you your outfit after around four weeks; Bespoke tailoring with more than one fitting requires more patience. The perfect fit is guaranteed in any case. And at extremely attractive prices: jackets are available from € 520, suits from € 740, pants from € 240 and shirts from € 109 – including taxes and delivery.

It is produced in Hong Kong. “British tailoring has a long tradition here and our tailors are among the best,” explains Motwani.
Existing customers whose dimensions have already been saved at Senszio can also order online using a web account at www.senszio.com: “If necessary, personal adjustments are always possible. This flexibility combines proven luxury with a digital lifestyle, appeals to the younger generations in particular and fits perfectly with our service concept, ”says Motwani.

Mann can also find the continuously updated list of dates for the traveling studios on the website.
www.senszio.com

By Britta Biron Chief Editor, Medianet mNews
Original article

It smells of wood and fresh paint, there is noise from drills and hammers, boxes are everywhere, half of a wall is not yet wallpapered, protective film is laid on the floor, there is a lot going on. Workers who remove garbage from the building crowd past suppliers who lug champagne bottles and glasses into it.

Where there is still chaos on the construction site, 600 guests are to be welcomed in a few hours: Jeremy Hackett opens his first shop at 14 Savile Row in London. Sir Hardy Amies, probably the most popular tailor of Queen Elizabeth II, previously resided here. There is probably no more suitable address for the traditional British company for men’s clothing; The best tailors have settled here since the 17th century.

Jeremy Hackett and his team made sure that everything was in place in the multi-story building in time for the opening party. “I’m happy to be back on Savile Row after 40 years. Especially as an owner and not as a seller,” jokes Hackett, who worked a few house numbers for a tailor in his youth. In the meantime, he runs an international company.

The opening of the flagship store in a prime location shows that business is going well. Jeremy Hackett explains that the bulk of sales are made up by the ready-made goods, but tailoring is an important growth market for the company.

In times of sustainability debates, fashionable individualization and increasingly relaxed dress codes, one can differentiate oneself from fast fashion with custom-made clothing and suggest belonging to a privileged milieu that values ​​quality. Whether high-priced bespoke or cheaper made-to-measure (see glossary below) – tailoring is flourishing.

Big potential

Prashant Motwani, chief development officer of the Belgian company Senszio and son of the company’s founder, also sees huge business potential in tailoring. “The market has grown continuously over the past five to ten years and is far from saturated.” Senszio has also recently started offering its travel tailor services in Vienna.

One of the traveling tailors is on site every four weeks, customers can book appointments online. The meetings take place in a hotel room, in the office or at the customer’s home as required. There the tailor takes measurements, suggests fabrics and buttons. Made-to-measure pieces are ready after four weeks, in the Bespoke area the process takes several months.

At some locations, Senszio has fixed tailors, but “we will also keep the concept of traveling tailors. Customers appreciate that someone comes to them and they don’t have to go to an anonymous shop,” explains Motwani of the success of the sales model.

You can hardly speak of anonymity when you enter Rudolf Niedersüß’s shop. Since 1976 he has been leading Vienna’s first address for men’s tailoring, the Knize company. Furniture and paneling in dark wood with a charming patina, fabric wallpaper, carpet in moss green and creaking floorboards – the premises at Wiener Graben, designed by architect Adolf Loos from 1910 to 1913, convey the long tradition of tailoring.

A lot of court cutter decrees hang on the walls. Then as now, the international aristocracy belonged to the Knize clientele. The tailor has not been able to accept new customers for custom-made products for years.

“There is no shortage of demand, but rather of the workforce,” says the 84-year-old. The young people are no longer willing to perform today. He had tried repeatedly to train apprentices in recent years, but had to quit everyone early because they did not meet his requirements.

According to information from the WKO, the number of final apprenticeship examinations in Austria in the field of clothing design, as the tailor training is officially called, has been constant for years. 117 were completed last year.

The number of professional branch members is increasing continuously. While there were 1119 in 2010, there were already 1670 in 2019. A survey by the WKO among several regional guilds showed an increased demand for products from men’s clothing makers. As a result, more and more women’s clothing makers are also offering additional services for men or taking further training courses in this area.

High quality pieces

Wilfried Mayer works in Vienna, where he offers classic men’s clothing. The graduate of the fashion class of the Vienna University of Applied Arts has learned the manual skills self-taught. “I don’t have a master craftsman’s certificate, but I do master cutting and product development,” says the designer, who sees himself as the interface between customer and production.

Working with suppliers is not always easy for one-person companies. Producers often preferred larger companies because they guaranteed better capacity utilization and more easily met the high minimum quantities. Nevertheless, Mayer sticks to his one-man show: “I am my own boss, and being close to the customers enables me to respond flexibly to their needs”.

Custom-made products, both made-to-measure and bespoke, are his answer to fast fashion and seasonal collection thinking. He wants to sell high quality pieces that accompany his customers over a long period of time. However, ecological sustainability was never a firm premise in his company. It results from itself, says Mayer. For example, he buys fabrics from old stocks of local men’s outfitters and fabric suppliers, the production routes are short.

Longevity

Jeremy Hackett also lives the idea of ​​sustainability. When he was young, he already operated second-hand shops, and even today he still believes in durability through high quality. The bespoke products are manufactured in Great Britain.

In contrast, Senszio has production in Asia. For Prashant Motwani, transparency is important: “We run our own workshops, the local designers were trained by Italian men’s tailors, and we have been working with them for over 30 years. ‘Made in China’ has a bad image, but our jackets, for example, are full Canvas and not glued (see glossary). Some European producers cannot keep up with the quality. ”

Rudolf Niedersüß also perceives extreme differences in quality on the market: “What is called a tailored shirt or suit has nothing to do with the craft. There are offers in all price segments, but you can see the difference.” A Knize suit costs 8,000 euros, Hackett incurs at least 5500 euros, and Wilfried Mayer or Senszio has a bespoke two-piece set from around 1,500 and 1,249 euros, respectively.

Even large clothing chains are now involved. Peek & Cloppenburg does not offer bespoke, but made-to-measure suits in half canvas. These are priced between 499 and 999 euros.

Quiet rebellion

Made-to-measure clothing is not suitable for conveying a high level of society. “It’s too reserved and unobtrusive for this. People who want to show their wealth are more likely to buy ready-made clothing from luxury labels. Custom-made products are for those who understand style and quality,” says Jeremy Hackett.

The classic gentlemen’s style can even have subversive potential. Hackett sees him as a rebellion of many sons against their fathers, who are currently trying to dress casually to look youthful. For Wilfried Mayer too, a tailored suit is not necessarily conservatively connoted. With such a piece, you break away from body conventions that would be enshrined in ready-made goods.

Incidentally, there was no special dress code for the opening party in Savile Row. Of course, the guests appeared in the finest thread, the outfits of the other gentlemen were observed very carefully. With all noble reluctance: The world of men’s tailoring is not immune to status thinking.

By Michael Steingruber Founder, Der Standard
Original article

If someone stopped you on the streets and asked you if you were satisfied with your life, how would you respond? For someone who is financially sound and can afford to live the life they lead, chances are they will probably respond with “pretty satisfied.” They may even say they are full of happiness because they can afford the things they want and feel good about the things they have.

But now suppose you ask how many of those same individuals, who report a high satisfaction with their life, feel that their life has meaning or purpose. Chances are, not many people will be able to confidently say they have discovered meaning in their lives and struggle to identify their personal sense of purpose. Studies have revealed that citizens of wealthy nations are starved for meaning in their life, part due to the lack of religion in their lives. And millennials, once described as lazy and narcissistic, are focusing on finding happiness more than prior generations.

The lack of meaning provides an opportunity for marketers to appeal to the self-actualizing needs of millennials by providing these emerging adults with a purpose. But while most business executives recognize a strong collective purpose can increase their bottom line, only 46% reported their company has a sense of purpose. A brand purpose can fill the void left behind in nations where religion is largely unaccounted for, giving consumers a way to express their feelings of individuality.

The Struggle to Find Meaning

Data from a Gallup World Poll discovered while wealthy nations rank high on life satisfaction, countries with low GDPs ranked higher for meaning. And while religion does play a significant part in a society’s level of life meaning, the United States, where 77% of Americans believe religion is losing its influence, reported higher meaning over wealthy nations like France and Japan.

One generation in particular, the millennials, has struggled to find life meaning as they move into adulthood. Beyond the stereotypes that millennials are lazy, selfish and narcissistic, millennials are one of the most educated generations in American history but 3.8% are unemployed. Millennials entered the U.S. workforce right after an economic depression, and their struggles to find employment could be factor that has driven them to rethink what a successful life constitutes. Millennials are also less religious than older generations in America, with only 41% stating they believe religion is very important, but remain just as spiritual. In this regard, millennials are similar to wealthy nations who seek to discover life meaning, which is thought to be important to well-being throughout the entire human lifespan. And millennials can turn to purpose-driven brands as a way to freely express their self-worth and to replace the lack of religion in their lives.

Brands are the New Religion

Purpose-driven marketing has seen brands behave like organized religions, offering some of the same basic principles religions use to connect with their conglomerates. For marketers working to attract consumers, behaving like a religion can deliver satisfaction to self-actualizing millennials who currently are starved for meaning. Clothing businesses, for example, can provide avenues of self-expression for consumers who choose clothing brands that best reflect their personality. “I’d like to say that for us, it’s very important that we guide the customer to find his personal style,” says Mark Motwani, CEO of Senszio. “While he’s selecting fabrics or determining the size of his jacket pockets, or the color of his shirt buttons, he is essentially creating his wardrobe and choosing how he expresses himself. That said, it is an ever-changing journey and one that isn’t influenced by mainstream trends or fads.”

What makes brands effective in delivering life meaning is when they offer three key benefits to customers: 1) core beliefs and values, 2) symbols, rituals or myths and 3) a relationship with a community at large. When a brand uses purpose-driven marketing to attract customers, they market their “why” in the hopes of attracting individuals who share a similar belief and resonate with a brand’s purpose. With a purpose in hand, brands offer consumers an opportunity to express their individuality and self-worth. Brands can help customers communicate to others that they are valuable, meaningful human beings and captures the value consumers place on the benefits they receive from particular brands. “When you can relate to a brand and connect with it, your desire for success is greater because you have experienced firsthand the potential that it has to change and affect others,” says Alejandro Chaban, founder of Yes You Can! “You need to form a human connection with your customer and also create valuable content with depth. Passion, determination and a personal understanding of your consumer are three very important points to consider.”

A brand purpose is more than a promise; it’s a commitment to action that will impact your employees, customers and the world around you. Just like how millennials seek meaning to guide their everyday lives, a brand purpose helps your business understand where it’s headed and how to get there. And like millennials, not enough businesses have a clear understanding of their “why”. When brands and people can close the gap that prevents them from finding their purpose, they can both experience a greater life meaning that explains their place in the world.

By Adam Fridman Founder, Mabbly
Original article

Is your company more like a job shop or a production facility? Both business models can make sense, but it’s important to know where you sit on the scalability continuum. There’s one question you can ask that will reveal how scalable your company is. That question is: What percentage of future customers will buy the same product or service you’re delivering today?

If the answer is ‘More than 80%,’ then you are solidly on the production-facility end of the continuum; meaning, you can deliver the same product or service over and over again without the need for much, if any, modification. Your operations can focus on improving your core offering, with each enhancement benefiting most or all customers.

As we all know, the prime example of a production facility is a software company. John Boyd, Co-Founder of startup company TrackingFirst.com, said it best. “I love software because you can build one product and sell it to a lot of different customers.” Boyd’s company has made good on that strategy so far, selling its digital marketing campaign tracking tool to ten digital marketing teams in different Fortune 500 companies—without making a single change to the software product itself.

On the other hand, if your answer to the question is, ‘less than 20%,’ then your company is without a doubt on the job-shop end of the spectrum. This means that a majority of your customers require a highly customized or personalized product or service.  But, you already knew this, based on the amount of unique customization required with each customer engagement.

One good example of a job shop operation is the custom tailor who makes each item of clothing to the size and specifications of only one individual customer. This is known as bespoke tailoring. Senszio CEO Mark Motwani sums it up this way, “We love traveling the world and spending an hour with each customer; allowing them to choose from 4,000 fabrics, and then delivering a perfectly-fitting suit six to eight weeks later.” Motwani and team come to the United States five times per year to provide this level of service, and the strategy has succeeded to the tune of 2,500 suits and 5,000 shirts.

By Larry Myler Former Contributor, Forbes
Original article

It used to be that having a suit custom made was a privilege that was reserved for the rich and famous. Today, though, this is no longer the case. Custom-made suits are now obtainable for men from all walks of life and they can be made to fit not only most body types but also most budgets. In fact, one national trade group of custom tailors and designers estimates that custom-made suits account for a total of 20 to 25 percent of all men’s suit sales in the United States.

A custom-made men’s suit is exactly what it sounds like: a suit that is custom made specifically for someone’s proportions and body type and is tailored to fit perfectly. This is a good option for men who are hard to fit, as well as for those who simply appreciate the fact that custom-tailored clothing just looks more expensive and feels more comfortable than clothing that is bought right off the racks.

When you decide to have a men’s suit custom made, you get to play an essential role in the design process, from selecting the cut of the suit to the fabric, texture, and weight it will be made in and the details that you want it to include. This is a huge advantage over buying a men’s suit that is already made and leaves no option for you to express your own taste.

What is a Custom Suit?

Senszio Custom Tailoring is great for the man who wants the exceptional fit and quality of a custom suit without the long wait. They can build and deliver a superbly-made suit in only four weeks using a single measurement consultation and a combination of handcrafted and mechanized procedures.

The time efficiency of a Senszio Custom Tailored suit loses nothing in the detail. Their Stylists delve into your lifestyle and travel habits – in and out of the office – to establish the fabrics and style that will best perform, and the style of suit to complement your physique, right down to the nuances of button placement and pocket size.

Before it reaches you, your Senszio Custom Tailored suit undergoes a number of rigorous checks for quality and fit. Only when their Tailors are completely satisfied is it ready for delivery.

What’s more, they are pleased to offer complimentary alterations to Custom Tailored suits for one year after delivery.

For absolute consistency and ease of re-ordering, your unique hand-cut pattern is stored on file in their workshop, making it quick and simple to commission a garment with the exact-same fit on demand the next time around.

What is the difference between made-to-measure tailoring and custom tailoring?

Made-to-measure (MTM) tailoring, unlike custom tailoring, is drawn up to cut out by a computer rather than a professional artisan. Standardization is always present in the pattern and production process for made-to-measure clothes.

Because a computer is utilized to assist in the construction phase, it does not consider all of the more minor nuances that an experienced cutter would. The entire craftsmanship of the clothing suffers due to the shortage of customization and mechanization in the manufacturing process.

A custom garment has been completely designed to fit you as an individual. You will receive a one-of-a-kind outfit tailored to your specific body shape, clothing preferences, and a general sense of style.

Why is dressing up the new dressing down?

I think we all agree that the way we dress has changed dramatically in recent years. For one thing, being at ease has never been more vital. Their wardrobe essentials take care of the majority of the work. And lighthearted pieces aren’t as enticing as they once were. All of this suggests that the last five months have left an indelible impression on their approach to style, and I don’t believe it’s going away anytime soon. We are entering a new era of fashion that a more relaxed, undressed style will characterize.

The latest fashion is to dress as though you don’t have to make an effort to look smart, from tracksuit bottoms in the workplace to trainers in the front row. There’s an art to breaking a dress code, so keep the Lycra minimum.

Why should you prefer custom to made-to-measure?

The two most significant factors to consider when buying custom tailoring are fit and quality. It depends on what you’re searching for to determine if custom is perfect for you.

Accessibility:
There aren’t any custom tailoring shops in every neighborhood. Senszio’s services are ideal no matter where you are located. Their in-person service, which is offered in over 20 cities means that they come directly to you. You can be measured at your office or home by one of their stylists. Their online custom tailoring service on the other hand allows you to create and purchase your garment digitally while selecting details such as linings, buttons, and the style of your lapel, pockets, collars, and cuffs. You can only get custom tailoring if you visit in person for a fitting.

Convenience:
As Senszio makes a unique pattern for each of their clients, the fit of each order is the same and if you decide to try out their casualwear and outerwear items, you don’t need to be remeasured.

Budget:
The price you have in hand is an important consideration. Anything explicitly built for you will cost more, but keep in mind that you are paying for a high-quality standard and a precise fit made just for you. It’s crucial to remember that custom doesn’t always imply a more excellent price tag. Even though a made-to-measure garment costs the same as a custom garment, it is not termed custom.

Who is SENSZIO?

Senszio is a world-traveling tailor who provides exceptional quality and highly individualized service. Their custom-fitted suits ensure that their international clients look the part no matter where they are, from the United States to Europe.

Senszio began as a private tailor for high-profile embassies worldwide in Brussels in 1989. They have an intuition for the art of building global relationships, the value of making a great impression, and, of course, how to dress for every circumstance and location, thanks to their roots in possibly Europe’s most international city.

Their brand and services have crisscrossed the globe, as has their dedicated clientele. Today, they are recognized as the premier traveling tailor, with a discerning and worldwide clientele that includes ambassadors, lawyers, and bankers from locations as far apart as Boston and Zurich, as well as many more.

Where does SENSZIO excel?
They offer two services: Offline (Trunk shows) and Online (Customize Your Garment Online).

· Offline (Trunk shows)
Schedule an in-person appointment below, and one of their professional stylists will take your measurements and assist you in choosing the best fabrics and cuts for your lifestyle. After clients receive the suit, they properly evaluate it to determine if any adjustments are necessary.

· Online (Customize Your Garment Online)
Customers who have previously purchased from them can form an account, customize their order, and select to use their previous style options and dimensions.

New customers can either customize their purchase online and check out using conventional sizes, or they can save their order and schedule a meeting with them in person.

Custom Tailoring

Senszio Custom Tailoring is perfect for the man who wants the excellent fit and quality of a custom suit without the long wait.

They can build and deliver a superbly-made suit in only four weeks using an efficient, single measuring consultation and a blend of handcrafted and mechanized procedures.

Senszio Custom Tailored suits are time efficient without sacrificing detail. Their Stylists research your lifestyle and travel patterns – both in and out of the office – to determine the fabrics and styles that will work best for you, as well as the suit type that will complement your figure, down to minor details like button position and pocket size.

Their custom-fitted suits come with fully canvassed jackets as standard as a mark of excellence, a production technique that gives the garment a distinct drape and improved fit.

Custom Online

Purchasing a tailored suit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a great luxury. They provide you with the finest textiles in a classic European style. They offer a vast choice of products to choose from, so you may make anything from a suit to a coat to a shirt.

You must have been measured in the past by their tailors and so have a Prestige Account with them to purchase custom clothing online.

If you’re a first-time buyer, you can design your clothes online using their standard dimensions and a Standard Account. You can also save your favorite garments to a Standard Account wishlist and purchase them following a fitting appointment with them.

What can I expect from a SENSZIO Suit?

They offer fine quality products on numbered days.

Following are the products that they offer:

1. Smart Menswear:
SHIRTS
SUITS
JACKETS
TROUSERS
JACKETS
WAISTCOATS
TUXEDO

2. Casualwear:
POLO SHIRTS
CHINOS
SHIRT JACKETS

3. Outerwear:
PEACOATS
SAFARI JACKETS
FIELD JACKETS
OVER JACKETS,
TRENCH COATS,
OVERCOATS

How long does it take for a custom suit?

They can build and deliver a superbly-made suit in only four weeks using an efficient, single measuring consultation and a blend of handcrafted and mechanized procedures.

The Senszio custom-tailored experience covers the items and appearances you rely on daily. Choose from men’s shirts, tuxedos, tailored trousers, sports jackets, and their hallmark tailored suits, or enhance your style with a razor-sharp waistcoat. Commission a beautiful, tailored coat in various premium materials for the perfect investment piece.

How much does it cost for a Custom Suit from SENSZIO?

A Custom suit from SENSZIO costs around $800. The Senszio custom-tailored experience covers the items and appearances you rely on daily. Choose from men’s shirts, tuxedos, tailored trousers, sports jackets, and their hallmark tailored suits, or enhance your style with a razor-sharp waistcoat. Commission a beautifully tailored coat in various premium materials for the perfect investment piece.

By Andrew Wise, Life, Tailored.
Original article