jerseyguy
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- Joined
- Jul 25, 2004
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Hi, all. Â I thought I'd post an update to my suit cloth inquiry about my experiences so far getting a suit tailored in South India. I planned to go to Tip Top the day before I left, but when I called three hours before closing to ask for directions, I was informed that the owner had a flight to catch and was closing the shop now. Dismayed, I asked them if they knew of any other places to get fabric (this was before I saw banks' post). They pointed me to Rosen & Chadick on 40th street in Manhattan. I managed to get there before they closed and they had a very good selection of wools and cashmeres from English, Italian, and Japanese mills. Most of them didn't have a brand name, but eventually I settled on a wool/mohair blend from Vitale Barberis that they were selling for $95/yd. originally. They were having a 20% off sale, and I got them to knock off some more of the price so I ended up paying $60/yd. for 4 yards. Is that a good deal? Â I didn't have time to look at silks or buttons, but I figured those could always be changed when I returned. When I arrived in Bangalore two days ago, I inspected my cousin's wedding suit that was made by his wife's family tailor. I found the fabric (cerruti) to be excellent but it had been ruined with fusing and the tailoring wasn't very elegant in my view. I wasn't too enthusiastic about trying his tailor, but when I arrived in Chennai (Madras) I visited a place called Syed Bawkher, who was highly recommended as the best tailor in South India. I was extremely impressed with his store. He had an ncredible selection of fabrics (Zegna, Cerruti, Barberis, Holland & Sherry, Loro Piana) in fall/winter weights as well as Super 180s and cashmeres. He quoted me a price of Rs. 50,000 for a suit in a Barberis Super 130s fabric, but only Rs. 7500 (US$160) was for the tailoring, which he claimed was completely bespoke. Â For a suit in Zegna Super 180s fabric, the cost would be Rs. 1,00,000, and in Zegna cashmere it would be an extra 25% on top of that. Â The tailoring remained cheap, but I think the added cost has to do with the high import tarriffs on goods like these. Â In addition to their extensive selection, they had current swatchbooks and could order fabrics within a week to ten days. I examined some of their suits and was very impressed with the quality. Â Fully canvased, handsewn buttonholes and lapels. Â The styling was very nice as well, and they could probably make just about whatever I wanted. Â They used cupro (Bemberg) linings and either horn or carozo (sp?) nut buttons. Â I looked at some silks (not at the shop) but in addition to being hot, they didn't have the smooth almost satin-y feel of the Bemberg that allows my body and arms to slide freely. Â I promptly got measured (he took at least 20 measurements) and brought my fabric to him the next day. Â I'm back in Bangalore now, but my first fitting will be in a week when I return to Madras. Â I don't have a digital camera with me right now, but my dad has one and will meet me in Madras, where I will try to post pictures if anybody is interested. Syed Bawkher has trunk shows in London and the U.S. and does a lot of mail order business. Â In addition to the suitings, he had an incredible selection of shirt fabrics. Â Bespoke shirts started at Rs. 2500 for Super 180s fabric and capped at Rs. 5000 for some of the most exquisite fabric I have ever seen. Â I can't remember the name exactly, but it was called John-something and it is woven on silk looms. Â Your hand glides right over it. Â Like the suits, I'm sure if you were to bring your own fabrics you can probably get the best deals. Their website is www.syedbawkher.com Cheers, Rohan