Bespoke suits guru Caleb Maluki on his passion for tailoring
Considered one of the best bespoke tailors in town, Caleb Maluki has carved a reputation as the go-to guy for suits. Chebet Korir sits down with him as he talks more about his passion for tailoring.
Tell us a bit more about yourself and what you do?
I am a fashion designer, an image, style and fashion consultant, stylist, creative director and lead consultant at Maluki Legendary, a bespoke made-to-measure service whose main business is personal style.
What does your company focus on?
We focus on menswear and female tailored suits. Our goal is to create a society full of gentlemen and ladies who own at least one tailored suit.
How did this venture come about and what are you best known for?
I grew up with a passion for fashion, but I never knew fashion would be my career path.
After graduating, I tarmacked for eight months looking for a stable job, but it was unsuccessful.
I, therefore, decided to pursue my passion and convert it into an income generating activity.
We are best known for professionalism in our craft, delivering the best and meeting our clients needs and deadlines.
Our cut, fit and attention to detail is what stands out and differentiates us from the rest in the game.
Initially, I started as K_leb Vazi, but from January this year, we changed the name to Maluki Legendary to honour my dad who has played a big role in my life.
What makes Maluki suits special?
Our suits are crafted using our ‘3F’ formula; fabric, fit and functionality. We are also always learning new trends to ensure that our work and skills are up-to-date.
Attention to detail, quality fabrics and excellent workmanship is also our tradition and what we pride in. All this is to ensure that our clients get the value for their money.
What led you to tailoring?
Passion led me to the tailoring industry, but again I had seen a gap in that many people were ditching baggy outfits and embracing nicely fitting suits, and the only way to attain a certain fit for various body sizes and shapes was by having the outfits tailored.
Professionalism is also key, and I wanted to be that professional tailor who keeps his word and delivers the client’s work in time.
With the emergence of the metro-sexual men, different colours of suits that were initially considered feminine are now being worn by men and the colours are hard to get on a ready-made shop, hence the only way to get them was by having them tailored.
What’s unique about bespoke suits?
To ‘bespeak’ means to give an order. In terms of fashion, the definition of a bespoke suit is a suit that the tailor crafts out of someone’s vision.
It is an original, one-of-a kind garment made to the wearer’s preference. That particular suit is made for and owned by exactly one specific person, and the suit is hand-drawn and crafted based on exact specifications from the wearer’s body.
What are the most common mistakes men make while shopping for a suit?
Going for quantity over quality. It is easy to spot a cheap male ensemble. Also, dress your body.
Trying to be wrapped up in oversized suits to mask up the one-pack or squeezing into small clothes to depict a toned body isn’t exactly ideal.
Do you believe style is about consistency?
Yes consistency is what differentiates style from fashion. Fashion fades, but style is eternal.
Style is a deeply personal expression of who you are, and every time you dress, you are asserting part of yourself. Fashion is a trend, style lives within a person.
Who would you say is the best-dressed man and what makes him standout?
Retired English soccer star David Beckham. His style cuts across both street and corporate wear and he rocks whichever style to the best. He knows how to dress his body shape in terms of the fit of his outfits.
What’s your take on women and suits?
It goes without saying that suits are among the most classic items one can wear.
Over the last few decades, they have regrettably fallen out of fashion as the workplace has become increasingly casual.
There’s, however, an upsurge in women tailored suits and that’s a good indication that soon we’ll have women embracing the suits again.
The advise is that when getting a suit for women, the fabric should be a bit stretching for comfort, and since women have different body shapes and curves, having the suit specifically tailored for them will work magic on their outlook and appearance.
