A Short Interview With Our Friend Steve Mariotti At Huffington Post
How and why did you get into the custom clothing industry?
I have always had an interest in men’s style and custom suits however, my passion for it grew significantly after working at a men’s suit retailer 10+ years ago in Cherry Hill, NJ. I was looking for a part time job while attending college. From that point on, I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue. After many years of learning and growing, the Jeffrey Scott brand was born. For me, the most interesting parts of the custom suit process are the attention paid to details, the ability to be creative with fabrics, buttons, styles, etc., as well as the ability to solve the problem of not being able to find a suit that fits! A custom suit will fit and feel perfect because it’s created based on your shape and size.
What differentiates Jeffrey Scott from other companies?
We offer fittings in the comfort of your home/office to make it as convenient as possible. We know that most gentleman would do whatever they can to avoid shopping at malls and waiting in lines, so we’re providing a solution to that. That said, I truly believe we do it better than anyone today whether its the perfection of fit from our unique fitting process and expertise, the quality of the fabric and inside construction, or simply our passion for what we do. Our selection of fabrics from Italy and the UK, and the number of design options we provide offer our clients a different experience than they may have had in the past.
We pride ourselves on doing the right thing and providing the best possible experience to make sure every customer is 100% happy..
Describe your fitting process for a new suit
Our fitting process can be as intricately involved or as simple as each client prefers. It starts with the first fitting which typically lasts 1 1/2 - 2 hours between choosing every design detail imaginable (i.e. buttons, lining, lapel style, etc.) and taking measurements.
The measurements and design details are then sent to our tailors to start making the garment from scratch, which usually takes 4-5 weeks for delivery. At that point, we would schedule a second fitting to try on the suit. This second fitting allows us to see the garment on you and make any other minor alterations to get it fitting just right; this usually takes 1-2 weeks.
After the alterations from the second fitting are complete, we would schedule a third and final fitting to make sure the suit is perfect.
Another aspect of the process, aside from design, is obviously fabric selection. Like the design portion, we try to understand the needs of what a customer is using their suits for and adjust accordingly. A prime example of this was a recent client who works in real estate and mentioned how grueling the summer is because wearing a suit in 90 degree weather is never really anyone’s idea of ‘fun’. So, while air conditioning is the obvious solution, to work with the times when that’s not available we suggested a 100% wool cloth from Zegna that is not only lighter in weight but also features a protective layer that blocks UV rays and prevents the garment from heating up in the sun. This unique layer helps the inside of the suit stay roughly 15-20 degrees cooler than the outside. Pretty awesome right?
What do all of the top designers have in common?
Each designer is unique in their own way and brings what we call ‘house style’ to their brand based on their inspirations and personal style, but the common goal is to create a design that is appealing to their customers. In my personal opinion, some are far more successful at this than others. While their is a legitimate case to be made for fashion, simply as a means of creative expression as well, I believe that the best designers are those that can incorporate both of these concepts in a coherent way.
What are you tips for young entrepreneurs wanting to get into the fashion business?
DO IT! We love it when we come across young people that have a passion for something and want to follow that. We always say that nothing is easy but follow that passion and don’t give up! Persistence and resilience are perhaps the best, and strongest, skills to cultivate. For fashion specifically, it’s important to model and create your own personal style from aspects of what you like on others but don’t copy. Don’t be afraid to wear what you love and be creative.
A lot of our knowledge and inspiration comes from experience as well as resources such as fashion blogs, magazines, Instagram, etc. We have 10+ years of experience in the industry, which has certainly helped us get to where we are today. So the point is, get out there and do it. You have to start somewhere.
Our biggest piece of advice is to find a job in the industry that aligns with your personal goals & inspires your creativity. Use that experience to gain every piece of knowledge possible, then apply it as a foundation for your personal success. It takes time and patience, but if it’s something you love than it is worth every minute. FYI, we are looking to grow our team so give us a call!
CHEERS,
Jeffrey Scott
