Tailor's Apprentice Story on NPR

[Moss]

Heard this piece this afternoon on NPR. The reporter cited a trend of interest among young people in learning artisanal crafts.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=17859903

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Its nice to see that there are people still willing to apprentice with experienced artisans. Sadly, I suspect this is more the exception than the norm.

 

[SuitingStyle]

too bad I have a full time job, otherwise I would love to do the same.
The old Italian man I use is going to retire this year, he is 80+. I asked him if anyone is taking over for him, he said no and seemed sad that he wouldn't be passing his skills and craft onto someone.

But I guess I understand why, its not a very rewarding field finacial wise, and its a lifetime commitment. He told me he's been making suits since he was 14.

 

[chorse123]

Nice story. I can see how it's a very hard business. How many hours go into a $2500 suit? Then factor in shop rent, equipment, materials, additional overhead. Not easy. But things doing rarely are.

 

[Mr. Checks]

Great story, and he sounds like the right kind of guy to keep this up.

Heard it in the car this a.m. I thought he was 90, is gonna work there until he dies, and hopes the young man will keep it going.

My guess is that it's a general reflection of market forces that boutique operations begin to flourish when very large companies block out the mid-sized operations.

I would assume that there will be a large demand for such small operations, particularly if Martin Greenfield, Hickey, Oxford go under.

 

[Moss]

The apprentice in the story had originally considered going to Italy to study tailoring, but changed his mind after he met his mentor.

 

[sonlegoman]

I'm only 25. If it weren't for optometry school and the economics aspect of it, I would do it. I thought about doing it as a hobby. I thought I would just buy myself a sewing machine and try to make shirts. But no time.

But I think I'll convince my kids to see if they like making clothes. When I have them I mean.

 

[Tampan]

Originally Posted by sonlegoman

But I think I'll convince my kids to see if they like making clothes. When I have them I mean.

Your contributions on SF are all the more remarkable as a naked person.

I would also encourage this line of work in my offspring, should they show an inclination. The rarer it becomes, the more lucrative it may become. Computers may eventually be capable of convincing machine customization, but even those computers will need trainers. Perhaps a tailor in a mid-blue leotard and motion sensors will solve some of the gap between supply and demand.

 

[Dedalus]

I am also going to encourage this with my son, so that I can have him sewing me bespoke items at the ripe age of 6 at zero labor cost.

 

[timeless]

I've had a number of things tailored by Centofanti....even at 87 he still fits everything personally. He was named by either Esquire or Robb Report a few years ago as one of the ten best tailors in America so the young man is learning from a master.

Although I agree it's a difficult vocation today I'm sure Centofanti's success is partly due to his location...he's been on the Philadelphia Main Line for almost 50 years....lots of old quiet money and now lots of new money....houses in the area routinely go for 5 million plus and the other day I drove by one that was 40,000 square feet and cost over 25 million to build...so Centofanti has lots of clients who can afford $5000.00 and up suits...this apprentice kid sounds pretty shrewd to me!

 

[JamesT]

A good story. It's nice to see I'm not going to be the only tailor once the current generation retires.