I am a firm believer that nothing good happens after 12 a.m., unless of course you’re celebrating with friends at Grits or F&M’s. This certainly proved true for James Collier and Kristen Engelsen, founders of custom menswear shop, Kilby. The couple met at Grits while in their 20’s and have since combined their complementary skills to build a thriving business on Magazine Street. Expecting their first child any day now, I caught up with them about their thoughts on the past, present and future as partners in both business and life.
What can a first-time customer expect?
Once you arrive, the shop is yours. We will spend time together and discuss your needs; a suit for a specific event, multiple events, or just everyday items? We will also cover the items you already have and want to keep in the mix (we can even review your closet with you in person, if needed). Then, we’ll take over 30 measurements to ensure a precise fit. We have an entire catalog of distinctive designs and fabrics to choose from and can preview the entire look with our visualizer software.
What sets your clothing apart?
The number of measurements we take ensures the best possible fit, capturing details, like shoulder width and depth, which are often overlooked elsewhere. We also offer a wide variety of fabrics and styles, and our ability to fine-tune elements like lapel width and button placement gives each customer a highly personalized experience and creative control over the final look.
What is the most misunderstood thing about custom clothing?
The cost is a big one. If you’re buying off the rack from a department store you can expect to pay upwards of $700. For the value, a custom suit is a much better deal/investment in yourself. Also, you don’t need to look a certain way to pull off a custom suit. Some of our most satisfied customers are the ones with different body types, who don’t fit the traditional shapes and sizes.
What’s up next?
We are steadily building a solid foundation, primarily by word of mouth. So, connecting with even more wedding and event planners would be great. We’d also love to grow our e-commerce business and expand the number of products we carry. Last but not least, we will have a baby around soon, so we’ll take that day by day!
