Michael Bennett, Michael Blake Menswear
Little Rock, Arkansas
At Michael Blake, their mission is to help men rediscover the joy of dressing, something that today’s men may have lost. Men are multidimensional, but many are afraid to step beyond the world they’ve built around themselves.
Some men are afraid of clothes they look at, and immediately think they can’t wear that. At Michael Blake, they want to reconnect men with the idea that a man can be masculine, but also love clothes.
What business aspects have led to the success of Michael Blake Menswear?
The success of our business has been our great service, essentially offering our clients what they want instead of what’s available on racks or shelves. More and more MTM services are popping up so it’s become very competitive, so the need to offer great service and great products is a must.
What do you think is the future of tailoring? Do you see technology replacing the essential art of tailoring for instance, cutting, measuring or producing bespoke suits?
I think the future of tailoring is very good, with reports I’ve read in menswear publications it’s increasing every year, and big brands are offering MTM as a part of their business. I don’t see technology replacing the business but maybe enhancing it. I think the tailor can provide certain aspects that technology can’t, such as the look of hand cut lapels.
What is Michael Blake’s unique value proposition and how do you acquire your customers?
We tell our clients to come experience the luxury of individuality, it’s the feeling of having garments created especially for them. We sell them on the one-to-one service, and how MTM frees them from brand dictatorship.