Custom Men’s Wear Start-up

Black Lapel, a new online men’s wear company launched operations last week at their offices in Mid-town East. The co-founders, Warren Liao, Derek Tian and Chris O’Young are passionate about providing custom tailored men’s clothing at affordable prices.

After a year of researching fabric selections and custom manufacturers, the company has begun to take orders for the Black Lapel made-to-fit suits, shirts and accessories. In the past, a hand-made tailored suit either required a trip to Asia or a once-in-a-blue moon visit with a traveling tailor. Added to these inconveniences was the price point for these handmade suits and shirts. However, Black Lapel’s founders are out to change that paradigm with the launch of their slick and sleek custom clothier website experience. With affordable price points (some suits priced at $449) the fine fit of a custom suit is available to many more men than in the past.

Prior to launching Black Lapel, the three founders were working in the finance arena. Individually, each had experienced the difficulty in finding an off-the-rack suit that fit well and that also looked good. With off-the-rack suits and shirts, they never felt as though the fit was right, nor stayed stylish after some basic tailoring to the suit. Their frustration and desire to create a unique customized product lead them to create Black Lapel. Soon after, the founder's yearlong odyssey began as they struggled to find a manufacturer that could take one-off measurements and stitch together a beautifully made suit. Mass-market assembly lines were not an option for them. Finding the right fabrics in order to provide a variety of choice for their customers was also added to their search criteria.

On the Black Lapel website, you can easily go through the options to create your custom suit. Select a fabric, and then add options like 2 or 3 buttons jackets or flat or pleated pants. You can work with a friend to provide them with your measurements and in about 3 weeks, your custom suit will be delivered. The Black Lapel founders also have a Flawless Fit policy. The company offers credits for alterations if the garment doesn’t fit and if it is unalterable, then the company will remake it at no additional charge.

This customized online designer-quality clothing and accessories space is heating up. New York City boasts several types of these unique companies. Black Lapel is the latest and has a similar model to the online start-up, Warby Parker and Brooklyn-based Neighborhoodies. Warby Parker is an online (with off-line showrooms) eyewear designer, manufacturer and retailer headquartered in SoHo. Like Black Lapel, clients select their products via various "in-home" selection and measurement processes.