Photo Credit: @royaltailor
Last week we met a pair from Ukraine who made extravagant pieces. Now we’re introducing you to another. Serhii and Kate and the masterminds behind the wonderful world of Royal Tailor. Together they come up with ensembles so fresh and fierce, one would assume they were up for Best Costume at the Oscars. In fact, last year Serhii and Kate did a couple pieces for some films. We talked about that and then some in this international exchange.
Kendra: Did you two initially bond over a shared love of design or was it a fascination with history that caused that first spark?
Serhii: At the beginning, there was a love of history and beautiful dancing balls. We heard about it but had no idea where it held. And, that was not supported with information, that there were groups that are engaged in such activities. And once, we met people who showed us this new world of historical events and reenactment.
We sewed all types of modern cloth, as well as costumes for dance balls and historical festivals only for us. In addition, over time, we realized that we have not a bad experience and can work in this area, even remotely, without having a close client.
Kendra: Between you, both are a number of years of design experience. Is this something that is self-taught for you both or did either of you take a formal education route to get to where you are today?
Serhii: We began with the tailoring casual clothing and rental of carnival costumes. A great love of history and the desire to do this led us to this. Katerina is a lawyer by education. She graduated from one of the best universities in our country. I’m a financier. We both did not work in the specialty according to education. Not having a special education, we learned various modern and historical methods of sewing and patterns. We periodically hold tailoring lectures at various universities, hold exhibitions with our work and seminars in museums.
Kendra: Self-taught or learned in school, the pieces are remarkable. Was Royal Tailor a business you two had prior to joining Etsy?
Serhii: Previously, for several years, we were under a different brand, more familiar to a buyer from Ukraine. Royal Tailor as a brand appeared on the Etsy platform. This also ousted our old brand, and we are already being recognized in a new way, including in our country.
Why a royal tailor – because we love good costumes, ballroom costumes, military uniforms, medieval dresses, etc. Our most beloved centuries are 14th-19th centuries. Therefore, we can perfectly sew a costume, for example, from a poor medieval artisan to nobility, and even a King with a Queen at a very high level.
Kendra: The attention to detail when it comes to these pieces, again – amazing. Have you two ever thought of costume design for film?
Serhii: We sewed costumes for two films that were in 2018 in Ukraine. The customer was very pleased. The task did not envisage many details, but we maximally realized possible.
We thought to collect our portfolio and send it to world film studios, yes. This is a serious step and requires good preparation.
Kendra: Being based in Ukraine, are there many who seek these fashions where you’re from or do the orders span the globe?
Serhii: Our customers are mainly abroad. A lot of dance balls, festivals, and historical events are held in Europe, America, Asia and other parts of the world. Many people want to participate in a unique good costume. Sometimes we have rush time with the amount of work and orders, and there are calm months. In Ukraine we also tailoring, we have several regular customers.
Kendra: Serhii, you also do woodworking on top of Royal Tailor. Do you utilize the same part of your mind when you design a piece of clothing as you do when you’re working on wood pieces?
Serhii: Katerina handles the main sewing process. Also, drawing of patterns, development of new models, selection of colors and fabrics, decorations, etc. My work in the organization of this process – assistance in tailoring, consultation about the discussion of new models, the procurement of materials, communication with customers, sending parcels, equipment support. In the time free from this process, I do woodworking associated with history. I make different tools for knitting, weaving, yarn, etc. I also make medieval furniture and accessories for costumes from different centuries. Previously, I engaged in the manufacture of medieval armor.
Kendra: What’s next for Royal Tailor in 2019?
Serhii: If we talk about the content and assortment, then we plan to expand it a bit – add some types of costumes for the 16th-17th century, as well as for the second half of the 19th century. Globally – to sew, create and make people happy!
