Bombay Shirt Company offers bespoke services

Mumbai-based Bombay Shirt Company (BSC), has launched an

initiative, which allows customers to call a travelling tailor home, get measured up and make clothes of their choice made. Akshay Narvekar, co-founder of the company that started operations in September, believes that design is for everyone.

The business model follows existing online ventures like J Hilburn in the US or Indochino. The clothes are not cheap but affordable. Shirts come in two ranges, Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,900, depending on whether they are locally produced fabrics or imported. The BSC only tailors shirts at the moment, though women’s wear is on the agenda. About eight-nine customizations are possible on a shirt—sleeves, collars, buttons, etc.

However, it’s not mandatory to ask for a tailor either. The BSC has an online video tutorial that allows a customer to take his own measurements, with the help of a friend or family, and register it online. It will soon start a webcam facility for interactions with customers. The company has also tied up with a tailoring workshop/factory.

After having worked with companies such as BCBG, an apparel and accessories collection line, and Everstone Capital, a private equity firm, Narvekar returned to India in 2009 to utilise his expertise to start exclusive and unique shirt making services.