About The Owners
Once you start building relationships with tailors, you'll know that it is not the brand you are in a relationship, but the tailor. There's nothing strange about that. He is the one who knows you - what cut do you prefer, what style do you like, and what recommend you to look great.
Lately, in Prague, my hometown, some change worth talking about happened - a few brave employees of one tailoring brand "went rogue" and founded their own. I am saying brave because to do something like that in the middle of the lockdown; you must either be nuts or brave.
Before time decides for us which one was the correct one, I will believe the second option. I was the client of the tailoring brand they left. However, as already mentioned at the beginning of this post, it is not the brand but the tailor you have an understanding with.
The tailor I am talking about is Michal Trnka. He is not only my favourite person in the Czech Republic to ask for tailoring advice but - in my opinion, and I'm certainly not alone - one of the best-dressed men in the country. Perhaps even in Europe. So it's obvious he knows a thing or two about a style. Besides that, he "used" this change of place of work to improve his services and learn new things.
For example, he is working to carry out bespoke by himself. Currently, we are working together on bespoke trousers for warmer days made of a beautiful blend of wool, linen and perhaps even a touch of silk - we're not sure about composition as it was one of the stock fabrics. I also document the whole process, and when we're done, I will be ready with a brand new post.
Teaser for mentioned trousers. Michal is cutting pattern.
They widened their services, so you, as a client, have much broader possibilities. Except Michal's bespoke - he can create for you dressing-gown, trousers or in the near future, for example, denim jacket (or made of tweed, should that be your wish) - there are also improvements in classic MTM service.
My favourite "novelties" are a Safari jacket or bomber jacket. Remember Colin Farrell in The Gentlemen movie? That's it, their bombers and pants made of suit fabrics. Such tweed or linen bomber have some style covered. As I remain more fond of classic tailoring and I try to think of wearing it where, when and with what relatively often, it is still not a majority of my time. And whatever you dress, confidence and style are vital things to wear. So why not. I had a closer look at such a tweed bomber, and it is a genuine confidence builder with casual outfits.
One more thing I love is how they have done the place. I'm not sure if it's noble, badass or both. When you enter, you'll see dark green walls, with several places to sit near nice tables with many books about tailoring topics, which are great if you want to inspire yourself a bit. I recently took some photos of outfits and upcoming posts here, and I sincerely hope it was not the last photoshooting here. In Prague, there are not many places like this. Space is, of course, accompanied by a lot of suits and other sartorial pieces, whether they belong to Michal, are in progress or done and waiting for pickup.
Interior of The Owners. Wearing MTM flannel suit by The Owners, Pantherella merino wool socks and John & Paul derby brown leather shoes.
The rest of the team is Matej, who takes care of manager stuff and work behind the curtain and Veronika, a talented and passionate tailor mainly responsible for alterations or saving your clothes. I can confirm, she's terrific and already saved some of my garments. Which I'm honestly grateful for. So, these three brave ones founded "The Owners". What is interesting, the name doesn't point to them but to you or us. The brand is not about its founders but more focused on their clients and, therefore, "owners" of perfect clothes.
The whole team - left to right: Michal, Veronika and Matěj - ph.: courtesy of The Owners
Although it may look like it, at this point, I would like to mention that this is not an ad. Czech tailoring brands and MTM brands or tailors are the chapters on their own. They have all similar fabrics, so it is not about that. Some of them outsource completing a suit to terrible conditions in a different country, what I've learned in the past years, and I sincerely hope it is still not valid nowadays. Most of them have talented in-house tailors who can make significant adjustments at the spot, but the problem is style.
I have encountered many makers, touch and tried many suits or jackets made by other sartorial brands in the Czech Republic, but it lacks style and important proportions in some cases. I'm not sure what is the reason if they desire to sell at all cost or lack of experience and imagination of a style when the product is done. But simply said, a "large" client cannot leave a tailor with tiny lapels. A "small" client cannot leave a tailor with large trousers. And no one can leave a tailor in a suit that seems going to be ripped off in any of the seams in upcoming minutes.
Of course, unless the client wants to have a suit like that, nevertheless, that is precisely why a client consultant (or whatever is the name for the position) should say a word and stop the disaster right away. After all, the client will be wearing their reputation. If you are buying MTM or bespoke, you shouldn't look like you just bought unaltered RTW. It's not worth the money, then.
Now, my apologies for diving deeper into this problem in a more passionate way, but because I'm mad at the situation here, the more you surely understand why I try to "promote" a place in which I can say I believe, where I get perfect advice from a different point of views every time and where style is considered not as plus but as essential perception.
I honestly say that except The Owners, there are two, maybe three MTM tailors I'd go for. Otherwise, all reside in different states than mine. Well, to have fabrics and know the way how to measure a client is not all the work.
So, back to the subject, I'm more than glad that I have the privilege to write about three people's effort, which created The Owners and recommend a tailor where you won't miss. And I can warmly recommend all three of them.
When possible, I will update this post with links leading to review and information about products I acquired in The Owners.
You are more than welcome to say a word about the tailors' current situation, and how's your point of view in the comments.
Yours Sincerely,
Denis
