Sartorial Promise: Martin de Tours Clothier’s Kickstarter Campaign

With just 83 backers, New York City based Martin de Tours’ Made-to-Measure Customized Suits have exceeded their modest $20,000 crowdfunding goal and raised just under $44,000 with 35 days left on their Kickstarter campaign.  Aiming for “old school tailoring” utilizing  “new school technology,” Martin de Tours seeks to make great menswear more accessible and affordable.

Martin de Tour’s Style Valets, experts in mend’s tailoring and personal styling, immediately greet online customers on their up-and-running, easy navigable website.   Through this network of “Style Valets”, Martin de Tours deploys experienced consultants to measure, select and design the best garments for their clients. 22 Measurements will be made and kept on the customer’s file.

The Made-to-Measure experience was enthusiastically reviewed by Esquire’s Nate Hopper, with one caveat:

“Fit is all about measurement. And so if you don’t live in New York City, where Martin de Tours’ valets are located and will travel around, things do get a little tricky. You’ll likely have to measure yourself, if you still refuse to go to a tailor out of stubbornness or laziness or fear of failure. And some of the measurements are particularly tough to get, sometimes even requiring a partner to help; others require a little nuance (the shoulders’ measurement, perhaps the most crucial, is not from corner to corner; there’s a peak to it at the nape of your neck). And if you screw one up, there goes that made-to-measure fit you’re seeking.”

Operating since September 2013, Martin de Tours Clothier combines the distinct facets of sartorial advice, quality clothing, niche technology and low costs to benefit a large and growing population of men.  Further information, can be found on Kickstarter, where their project is currently the leading fashion campaign on the platform:

“Started when two long-time friends found themselves questioning the difficulties associated with purchasing a quality suit. After an exhausting search for a great fitting suit that didn’t break the bank, they realized that what they were looking for did not yet exist. And so, they created Martin de Tours Clothier.” Starting price for their made-to-measure suits is $411.  Suits are currently made in China.”

In their kickstarter campaign, Martin de Tours Clothier seeks an end to the days of :

• Rummaging through chaotic racks of ill-fitting suits.
• Pushy sales people who care more about their commission than making your shopping experience a successful one.
• The uncertainty of shopping online with absolutely no guidance.
• Searching store after store for something that vaguely fits.
• True bespoke tailoring that will get you a perfect suit, but will simultaneously destroy your bank account.

A host of exciting pretail options are available for MdT’s backers. Custom made button down shirt with a varied fabric choice which retail at $109, may be had at a $76 reward level.  A fully customized suit from their current or Spring collection goes to backers who pledge $411.  Top shelf backer pledges at the $2,497 level will receive four custom suits and eight custom shirts made from current or Spring Collection fabrics, retailing about $4,000.  With a $5,011 pledge, 10 backers will receive ten custom suits and ten custom shirts, enough for a wedding party.  Quite a groom’s gift! Each pledge level from $25 will receive a personal consultation with a Style Valet.

Funds will be used to invest in fabric, design resources and technology allowing Martin de Tours to launch our 2014 Spring/Summer collection and service offerings. With $50,000 in pledges, the startup intends to become more accessible by allocating Style Valets in every major city in the US. With $100,000 in funding, be on the lookout for the Martin de Tours Clothier brick and mortar flagship NYC location. 

 

 

 

 

___________________________

Erin Hobey taught college literature and writing for several years.  She currently serves on the board at Hopewell, a therapeutic farm community in Cleveland.  She graduated from Brown, was a Bosch Fellow in eastern Germany and then earned her MA from Dartmouth. Food, fashion and film crowdfunding particularly interest Erin; she looks forward to exploring creative projects.  Erin may be contacted via email at CrowdfundInfo@gmail.com or Twitter.