This archive report was first published on 3 September 2021.
Published on September 4, 2021, in Business Daily, a story about Brian Kisimba, the managing director of Caliber Bespoke, a tailor shop in Nairobi, Kenya.
Brian Kisimba's tailor shop in Nairobi could be mistaken for one on 19 Saville Row, London's most famous tailoring street, with its skilled tailors. He has the skills of an ultra-bespoke tailor, having been trained in the UK by Andrew Ramroop, the acclaimed owner and creative director of Maurice Sedwell bespoke tailors.
On a visit to The Werks, a beautiful woodsy workspace in Nairobi's Lavington, Kisimba shows off his skills, explaining the difference between bespoke and made-to-measure suits. He says that bespoke suits are made from scratch, with the number of measurements informing the perfection of the fit.
He explains that his clientele is mostly mature wealth, between 30 to 80 years, and that they are looking for a unique look and feel. He says that his suits are designed to give the wearer a soft-structured shoulder or unique side pockets, and that they are made from top-of-the-range wool fabric.
The suits are priced at Sh350,000, depending on the fabrics, finishing, and embroidery. Kisimba says that his suits are not for the average person, but for those who want to make a statement. He adds that his suits are not just for business, but for pleasure, and that they are designed to be worn for special occasions.
He explains that his suits are made with precision and care, with each suit taking six to eight weeks to complete. He says that the suits are made with a manual, which includes pairing tips for accessories, and that he calls his clients after six months to ensure that the suit still fits right.
Kisimba's best-sellers are the blues and greys, never whites or seldom tan. He says that his clients are not experimental, and that they prefer classic designs. He adds that his suits are not just for men, but for women as well, and that they can be tailored to fit any body shape.
