Made In Chicago: Richard Bennett Custom Tailors
CHICAGO (CBS) -- You could say Albert Karoll knows a thing or two about the clothing business.
"I come from a third generation men's clothing business here in Chicago. My grandfather was Herb Karoll who started Karoll's Red Hanger shops. We had 14 locations for over 50 years."
As owner of Richard Bennett Custom Tailors in the Loop, he's one of the last working tailor shops in Chicago.
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"This space is devoted entirely to the art and trade of custom tailoring, the old fashion way. We're proud to be the last man standing in that field, it's quite a distinction," said Karoll.
The 3,200 square foot space inside 175 W. Jackson showcases suits, ties, casuals and accessories in their front showroom but what makes the shop unique is in the back.
"Typically on an average day, we have five to seven tailors working here and they are doing a combination of designing new garments, cutting, sewing, making alterations to both men's and women's garments."
The master tailors are busy each day designing patterns, hand cutting, hand sewing.
"Each one of these master tailors has a specialty. We make three, four, five garments every single week by hand."
A picture window facing east lets passersby see the artisans in action.
"We want the world and everyone driving and walking by to look in, to see what we're doing here. When we first opened, we had a line of people veering in, asking if we were really making clothes."
But the art of custom tailoring is aging along with his craftsmen and women.
"Our tailors are aging and there isn't really, this is an art, a craft that isn't really being taught in Europe anymore where the best tailors come from in this country, certainly not being taught at all," said Karoll.
But in a Made In China world, he says a hometown haberdasher is still in demand. After all, every man, he says should have at least one custom made suit.
"If you don't have that suit to wear, that go-to business attire, if you're not ready for that moment, that moment will pass you by."
And looking good, Karrol says never goes out of style.
"It's not just wearing something, they own it, they were part of it."
For more information, visit RBTailors.com.
