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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Reggie J: Hollywoods Inside Man of Fashion


During award shows and other Hollywood red carpet events, you expect to hear designer names like Gucci, Versace and Vera Wang. However there’s another designer, who prefers to call himself a clothier. “We build custom wardrobes”, said Reggie J, founder of Reggie J Custom Clothing of Beverly Hills.

In a matter if years, he has dressed some of the top names in entertainment, including Steve Harvey, Randy Jackson, Cedric the Entertainer, Terrell Owens, Barry Bonds and he recently designed a suit for President Obama. Although he admits that many of his clients are celebrities and athletes, he maintains, his ideal client is anyone who appreciates fine custom clothes.

Even as a kid growing up in Philadelphia, Reggie says that fashion and clothes were a part of his blood. In fact, his parents worked at a knitting factory. He says that both of his parents were always sharp dressers. Those same characteristic became the fabric of much of Reggie’s personality. “When my friends were asking for balls and toys for Christmas, I wanted a cashmere coat. He got that coat when he was only 11 years old, and from that day, he has always been a snazzy dresser himself. Some of his early jobs, were in the fashion industry, but while working at stores such as Merry Go Round and Bernini, he didn’t take it seriously as a career.

Then he met Dion Lattimore, another designer who complimented Reggie saying he always looked nice at random events where he’d seen him before, and with that, they began to work together. He credits Dion with teaching him about selling and what makes custom clothes special. Yet he knew there was still more to learn. Then he met Johnathan Behr, who he says taught him about manufacturing of clothes, cutting and fabric. “By working with them, I learned both side of the business. The best of both worlds” he boasts.

He decided to go into business for himself after having lunch with a girlfriend who suggested that going into business for himself wasn’t a good idea. Reggie has been in business for 12 years, and proclaims he has not missed a meal since. He insists his business grows each year even during a time of economic depression when some of his peers are struggling. Perhaps the prime reason why Reggie J is not a household name is because he does not sale his garments in stores, nor does he have any intentions to do so. He says he learned a long time ago, it’s more important to be successful, than famous. Jenkins says, one thing setting him apart from his peers is his relationship with his clients. All of his clients have his cell number. He says he teaches them how to maintain the clothes and even how to identify fine fabrics. “If someone calls me at 2am to sew a button, I am on my way to sew a button”, he said. Another difference between his work and his peers, is the fact that all of his pieces are made in the US. “We use, Loro Piana, Dormeuil, Scabal. All the best fabrics”, he states.

Although he doesn’t buy many things “off the rack”, there are a few designers that he does like. Tom Ford, who he says is a trendsetter and has a unique sense of style. Also Jean Luca Izaire, who he says is the only designer he would wear other than his own designs of course. In fact, most of his wardrobe are things he designed. “We will do anything you need, ties, hats, suspenders, shoes, even cufflinks. We will do your entire wardrobe”.
Reggie is already grooming his daughter to take over the family business and carry on the name so that he can retire and move to Brazil. For more info please call 877REGGIEJ or visit the website www.reggiejcustomclothing.com

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