Georgetown: Made-to-Measure Event
We're incredibly excited to announce a special four day custom shirting event at our brand-new Georgetown store. We're honored to be hosting Michal Linke, one of Europe's premier experts in Made-to-Measure and custom shirtmaking, who is visiting from our top European mill. Join us next week starting Thursday, June 23rd as we welcome Michal to the states and kick-off four days of events celebrating all things custom shirting in Georgetown. In addition, from June 23rd-June 26th, we're offering a special promotion for Georgetown customers only: Purchase four Made-to-Measure shirts and receive a 5th one on us! We recently caught up with Michal about his current role and what he sees for the future of custom menswear:
How long have you been involved with menswear?
It is very hard to say exactly when it all began. You feel the fashion or not and I have always felt a certain urge towards menswear. Surely the moment when everything gained momentum was when I was still studying and I got early employment in the fashion industry.
Currently I am made-to-measure “coach,” but for the past eight years I have had the opportunity to work on many positions within fashion, and always working closely with people. I have been able to see the changes taking place in the menswear business and style of my customers. I agree with the following words of Oscar Wilde and Pierre Balmain, respectively: "You can never be overdressed or overeducated" and "Good fashion is evolution not revolution.”
What sparked your passion for apparel?
At the beginning it was just a job but it had soon turned into passion. I am traveling all over the world - from Tokyo via London to New York and I know that without the passion in my heart I would not have been able to do it a long time. Fashion is not a job - it is a lifestyle.
Your expertise is in custom suiting and bespoke. What are the benefits of a fully custom shirt?
Made-to-measure tailoring is the most fun and there is no limit to what you can do. Who doesn’t not like that? At the beginning of the adventure, my clients are usually very careful with their customizations. But as the time passes they surprise me with new looks and take more risks with their custom creations.
What are some trends in Made-to-Measure that you've seen in the past year?
There are three major groups of clients of custom tailoring. The first one is the customer that wants something different than what he can get from the offered products from the store. The second are people that may have an unusual size and need to go custom. And the last group can be best described by Coco Chanel’s words: "I don't do fashion. I am fashion." These clients attach great importance to each and every detail and don’t make any compromises with their look.
What do you hope for the future of menswear?
From my observations, menswear is becoming more casual and less frequently what we call the "English Gentleman" look with a tie straight from London's Savile Row. However, I believe that English and Italian classics will remain in vogue.
Join us and Michal in Georgetown on the following dates:
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Thursday, June 23rd, 4-7pm: Bulleit Bourbon Tasting Happy Hour. Meet Master Tailor Michal Linke and enjoy complimentary bourbon while you shop.
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Friday, June 24th & Saturday, June 25th, 11-8pm. Sunday, June 26th, 12-6pm: Book an appointment with a Made-to-Measure specialist and receive style tips and custom shirting expertise from Michal. Book now.