Some things, like a watch passed down to us from a family member, or maybe a trusted coffee
mug we rely on each morning, can engender feelings of genuine affection and admiration. The
object is bestowed with personal meaning, perhaps embodying some of the characteristics we
aspire to ourselves, or serving as a reliable companion through life’s ups and downs.

Certain clothes can create these feelings for me. The satisfaction I get from reaching for a wellworn
coat or pair of shoes is akin to greeting an old friend and settling into our comfortable
rhythms and patterns. I know them, and they know me, as evidenced by each wrinkle and sign
of wear acquired over time. With them I feel more myself, even calmer and more confident.

I feel like fabrics and materials with a bit of heft and substantialness are more likely to gain our
affection and hold it for years. There’s simply more “there” to appreciate. Cordovan shoes,
heavy cotton khakis, a denim shirt… we admire these things as they break in and break down,
and we are witness to the same kind of humble but glorious life arch we go through ourselves.

While these things are pristine at first, what underlies our attachment to them is their
robustness, a strength that gradually yields to a welcoming softness. Through our wear and
care these things become unmistakably ours, the patterns of our daily life evidenced in their
gentle creases and worn surfaces, the outline of our lives imprinted on these objects we love.

R - How do you see your business and the bespoke market evolving over the next 10 years?

FN - We only started Taillour; three years ago, straight after the pandemic, so at the moment I’m just extremely proud with what we have achieved growing our bespoke both here and in the US, also working on some really interesting film projects. I would love to one day have some RTW items available in the atelier to complement our bespoke at a more accessible price point.

I think now and in the future bespoke has to be truly exemplary in the quality of the make and just turning out any old hand made garment isn’t really enough anymore.
We work with a super talented young inspiring team, so over the next ten years it would be incredible to teach more young people and grow our in house team.

Seiji McCarthy is a bespoke shoemaker based in Tokyo. www.seijimccarthy.com/
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He is wearing the Uniform Shirt. Click link below to see it