By Micheline Bowman

Looking for a particular kind of design?  A look and fit just for you?  Let me introduce you to Kwab Asamoah, the man behind “Kustom Looks” a business that can cater to all your clothing needs. 

I heard about his store and had the opportunity to see his designs first hand at a recent fashion show. To all my ladies and gentlemen who love great clothes…check out Kustom Looks, they are definitely doing it in style.

Micheline- Tell me a little about you and how Kustom Looks got started.

Kwab- I’m from Ghana, West Africa with a degree in electrical engineering and physics.  Nothing even close to what I’m doing now. (Laughing)  I didn’t come from a background of fashion, but was given an opportunity to do this as a career. This was not something I thought I would go into. Most people would assume that the concept came from your name or that a tag line identifies your product.  But I believe you have to have a look that is custom for you. The fashion industry wants to decide what fashion is, and as a tailor I want to dictate what it is.  We want the name to be what it is…a Kustom Look. So that the look you’re wearing is made specifically for you and nobody else has that.

Micheline- Tailored clothes always seem to fit a person so much better than something bought off the rack. When someone comes to you where do you begin?

Kwab- Posture is so important when we tailor clothes. The look from the shoulders makes the alignment of every suit different.  A suit should be made to accommodate your posture. Everyone has their own unique stance and we have to also work with colors and identify what works well with what figures. Body type has a lot to do with what certain styles. Each person goes through a process. When you wear our clothes you want to feel you can’t get any better than this.

Micheline- So I come to you for a suit…what happens on our first meeting?

Kwab- You’ll need a minimum of 30 minutes just to talk and identify your exact needs. Next we create a profile, who you are, what you do etc.  Once we create the profile we start taking measurements. We take about 25 measurements for men and about 30 for women. Then we go over fabrics.  We have over 3000 fabrics. We work with all natural fabrics no polyester or lycra materials.  We have everything from wools to cotton, satins and hundreds of patterns to select from. Then we go over price points. We create various clothing packages that will give you the most for your money. We build and construct our products for long term. You are our walking billboard. 
Micheline- Why should someone come to Kustom Looks for clothes vs. just getting going shopping?

Kwab- I have a saying about the 3 F’s of Fashion…If we provide the right fabric; with the right fit we’ll give you a suit with the right function. The process that we go through sets us aside from other tailors. Don’t go for an American or European cut…go for your cut…what fits you.

Micheline- Have you made clothes for any celebrities?

Kwab- Yes I’ve made clothes for a variety of professional from Leon Harris to Brian Mitchell, Coach John Thompson and Michael Steele just to name a few.  I’ve even done something for your Sports Anchor Dave Feldman. 

Micheline-What’s hot for the spring and summer?

Kwab- Wide leg pants for the ladies. The spring will be different for color trends. It’s all about being feminine and flowing for the dresses. Silver gray, olive, soft rose, pink, and lilac are the colors.  For the men…pastel pinks…it’s the new blue for men it’s great to see it finally catch on for the men in the states.  It really hasn’t taken off in the U.S. like it has overseas. Plaids and white suits are hot for men and one button suits are the killer for the season. It’s not for the faint of heart….the theme for spring is confidence.

Micheline- What’s the best fashion advice you can give to someone?

Kwab-   Go to a store and buy yourself a nice suit and take it to a good tailor to get altered. That will be the best thing if you want a better fitting suit.  I’d like to suggest that petite women look at suits at Ann Taylor.  I think they offer the best for you money and value. If you are tall and size 6-14 I recommend Jones of New York clothes.  But of course I want you to come see me and let me fit you with the best quality and style for your very own Kustom Look.

VISIT:
Kustom Looks
8181 Professional Pl. Suite 100
Lanham, Maryland  20785
www.kustomlooks.com 
301-731-3600