Oh my God, I love Duchess so much. Be sure to check the address though; it moved from where it was,…read moreeven though I believe the street is the same. But it's further north from the tracks now.
Regardless of that, Katie, Baili, and Foley are amazing human beings and everytime I'm in, it feels like visiting friends.
I initially came here to get a high end custom suit, just for me. No event, I just wanted something bespoke and beautiful.
I spent an hour or so with Katie, going through fabric books and picking out design elements, like my cuffs and collar and button styles, making the cuffs work for buttons or cufflinks, how the pockets sit (I went for Frogmouth, like you'd have on jeans). The options were incredible but not overwhelming...Katie listened to my ideas and my vision, we talked about my recent history, what I wanted to do with it, and all that. She'd get an idea and find the book, show me, and it would be perfect. Like she had a high end, limited quantity fabric in something like gold paisley. It exactly matched the gold and black theme I'm going for.
I'm changing my aesthetic since a tragedy happened in my family, and so I'm trying to dress nicer and be more "out there," where I usually don't like people looking at me.
But not now. I took up ballroom dancing, which is perfect for having my bespoke suit, with two different vests, for our events.
The subtle touches -do- stand out. People who know recognize the quality instantly. People who aren't into style, fashion, or clothes know that it's high quality but can't figure out why, exactly, but they see it for what it is. The vests being tailored mean I don't have the adjuster on the back, which everyone else usually do, and wow, does that gold stand out. But the black vest on black jacket on the white or black shirt (black shirt with a priest collar that just looks stunning) is so classic. I paired it with a pocket watch on chain and boy, did I get some amazing compliments at the first dance showcase I wore it to. I can even adjust the jacket pockets to have flaps or no flaps. I was seriously able to customize the entire thing.
I also got a regular and bow tie in the gold fabric. Such a beautiful accompaniment.
I will be going on an Alaskan cruise next August in 2026...I'll be going back to Duchess to get another suit for the cruise. I have my black tie formal wear...but I also want a, well, for lack of better brief description, a "Mr. Howell from Gilligan's Island" kind of ensemble. Deck worthy.
And in 27 I'll be going to Egypt, so I'll absolutely need a linen suit in the style of Lord Carnarvon (hold the colonialism theft of antiques, though, that's not what I like about his style).
I can't imagine any other place I'd go to have clothing made for me. I love it here.