When you hear the words master tailor, what comes into your mind is someone who is old and very much experienced in handling even the most intricate of suits.
However, this 25-year-old Filipino master tailor, Renz Signo proves that being good at something doesn’t always come with age.
How did he learn all this?
The former butler of Osama Bin Laden’s brother who also was from Tondo, shared with Esquire that he learned a lot from his mentors – the local Marikina tailors. He also read up and did his research on the materials and followed blogs.
Signo began introducing his works on social media and immediately earned clients within 10 months. Most of them were lawyers who needed pairs of suits and shoes for their work.
However, he noticed something amiss when shoes don’t match the suits. He said he had to work from foot to top and that’s when he engage in suits.
It was in December 2018 when he decided to relaunch Signo into Signo Custom Clothing.
Signo said everything he learned about suits were mostly self-taught.
Now, he runs his own men’s wear shop along Espana Boulevard that offers affordable bespoke shoes with prices beginning at P5,000 and tailoring or full canvass suits at P16,000.
But before his men’s wear shop came about, he first worked as a butler from 2014 until 2016. It was this work that helped him save up to realize the shop he now owns.
For Signo, his mens’wear shop carries the message that they don’t just sell clothes and shoes but confidence as well.
Signo emphasized that he wanted to offer bespoke clothing and shoes that not only suits the budget but also showcases the personality of the wearer.
He noticed that most of the suit makers in Manila usually follows one pattern. For him, it is important to establish a client relationship and go out of the way to ask what they really wanted for the suit.
Since it’s re-launch in December 2018, Signo has gained a lot of patrons. Among them were known Filipino actors like Mikael Daez and Alden Richards.
Through his works, Signo hopes to get the Filipino gentleman’s image back in the mainstream.
Signo now also caters to female clients. His shop sells shoes for ladies.
