Vancouver and Shanghai-based e-commerce pioneer Indochino is bringing its traveling tailor to Washington, DC March 2-10. Modern Fellows spoke with co-founder and CEO Kyle Vucko in advance of the trip about quality control, scaling up, and what Washingtonians should expect when Indochino occupies Living Social’s experimental live event space at 918 F Street NW next month.
Washington DC Fashion and Style
Believe it or not, Washington, DC has become a destination for professional men’s clothing in recent years, from high-profile retailers Bonobos and Dutch-based Suit Supply (and the HMX Group’s regrettably short-lived Streets of Georgetown) to custom tailors Alton Lane and Knot Standard.
Add to that home-grown talent from the likes of Hugh & Crye, and you have an emerging community catering to modern professional men.
This new energy builds on a rich history of style in the District, including tailors and retail professionals such as Geoffrey Lewis who have been in the business for decades and who are also well-worth getting to know better.
Inside: Charles Tyrwhitt DC at Farragut Square — updated
Discovering custom shirting and high-quality craft retail from around the country is wonderful, but everyone needs a couple of solid go-to local stores to turn to for some of the basics. For me, Charles Tyrwhitt fits the bill, which is why it was nice to see the company choose DC as its second U.S. location following New York. Here’s a look inside and some impressions
Inside: Michael Andrews Bespoke for the Holidays
With Christmas rapidly approaching, Modern Fellows stopped in Michael Andrews Bespoke’s showroom off of Dupont Circle to follow up on our earlier conversation and see how they were getting along since launching their DC operations in October. We spoke with Michael and Carly about how their DC clientele compares with New York, and found the place all decked out for the holidays.
Inside: Bonobos’ Holiday Guide Shop on Bethesda Row
Rapidly-growing online retailer Bonobos is bringing its contribution to alternative brick-and-mortar retail to the Washington, DC area. On November 7, the company opened the doors of a temporary Guide Shop on Bethesda Row, joining others in New York, Boston, Chicago and Palo Alto.
GQ is Way Off-Base: DC Men Have Already Stepped Up their Style
GQ’s writers must not spend much time in the nation’s capital. The city has changed dramatically since however many years ago it was when the author of this month’s “Project Upgrade: Capitol Hill Edition” formed an opinion that professional men in the District favor “blousy shirts and ill-fitting suits.”
VM Clothiers on the Evolution of Custom Tailoring and Building an Affordable Wardrobe in the District
Around the corner from the White House, VM Clothier’s headquarters offers an approachable environment to begin or continue an adventure in custom tailoring. Modern Fellows sat down with founder Vishal Mirpuri for a conversation that touched upon the evolution of custom tailoring, growing a business organically, and shattering the stereotype of DC style.
Behind Michael Andrews’ Expansion into DC, a Market Opportunity and Southern Roots
In anticipation of the arrival of Michael Andrews Bespoke in the nation’s capital later this month, Modern Fellows spoke to its founder and CEO about Washington’s suit culture, the feel of the new space, and MAB’s typical clients. The official grand opening of their DC showroom at 1604 17th Street NW, between Q and Corcoran, is October 24
The Alton Lane Dress Shirt
Modern Fellows visited Alton Lane’s Dupont Circle showroom to pick out a summer shirt and review the experience. This review, the first in a series on the pursuit of the perfect dress shirt, is based on a May 2012 appointment.
First Look Inside Suit Supply DC
August 30 marked the eagerly awaited opening of Dutch-based Suit Supply in Washington, DC. Their DC outpost, at 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue in the Four Seasons in Georgetown, is their third in the United States following entries into New York and Chicago last year.
Inside: Brooks Brothers Georgetown Concept Store
Opened in the fall of 2011, Brooks Brothers’ Georgetown digs and staff are leading a younger, hipper refresh of the iconic American brand, featuring slim silhouettes and Thom Brown-designed, Made in America Black Fleece suits. Here’s a look inside and outside.
Baltimore: Highlights from Confirmed Stock Pop-up Event
Who goes to the mall anymore? Between online deal sites, warehouse events and, increasingly, pop-up and other alt-retail events, savvy retailers and entrepreneurs are coming up with new ways to part men from their money. In Baltimore on April 28, Confirmed Stock held its inaugural pop-up event featuring “Menswear, vintage, dry goods, lifestyle.”