Rashad Johnson [00:00:00]: There's definitely a strong community of fashion in the DC area, the DMV in general. But for classic menswear, not so much. So it was really just me finding my way as I went along. And this is like pre suit supply really being the place to go. The suit was dead dead, quote, unquote, like, in that in that pocket of time, of me, you know, finding it. And, yeah, it's definitely comical because the the suit can never die. But that's like not saying hip hop was dead. Like, you say it's dead just to bring it back. Reginald Ferguson [00:00:38]: I'm Reg Ferguson, and I'm a fashion consultant from New York City, born and raised. I've been helping men look fly for years. And now, I want to help you learn more about menswear, the entrepreneurs, the brands, and top fashion tips on The Fashion Geek Podcast. I believe my love of clothing, style, and fashion started in the womb for real. My mother loved all those things, and I believe that came from her parents, who were my grandparents. It's led me to where I am today. I didn't even know this. Becoming a fashion consultant or a podcast host could even become a business. Reginald Ferguson [00:01:26]: What other paths can a little bit fashion take? Yo. This is Reg Ferguson, fashion geek number 1. How are you? Welcome to the ride. Thank you so much for listening. I'm a men's fashion consultant here in New York City, and I help fashion challenge men go from confused to confident. Consider me a personal trainer for fashion. If you ever found yourself staring at the closet and not knowing what to wear, or if the idea of shopping for clothes makes you feel physically ill, then this is a show for you. My goal with every episode is to help you learn about the people behind the brands and to help make looking good feel easy. Reginald Ferguson [00:02:13]: If you ever want my help, email me at regnyfashiongeek.com for a consultation. If you have a friend who's looking up who's looking to level up his fashion style wardrobe game, please share an episode with them. While you're at it, if you dig the show and haven't already left us a rating and review, please consider doing so now. Your shares, ratings, and reviews help us grow the show and help us get the best possible guest and help more men dress their best. Today, we're gonna talk with Rashad Johnson of TAP Bespoke, who's in Washington DC, the district. And he and I are going to talk about something that the everyday man should be interested in. We're going to talk about bespoke tailoring, classic menswear and beyond. Rashad in the building. Rashad Johnson [00:03:08]: What's going on, man? I'm doing well. I'm doing well. How about yourself? Reginald Ferguson [00:03:12]: I'm hanging in there. Are you keeping safe out there? Rashad Johnson [00:03:15]: Of course. Always have to stay safe, especially considering the times. How about yourself? How's New York treating you? Reginald Ferguson [00:03:21]: Well, you know, this is my home. Been here all my life. And, happy to be here, and my fingers are crossed every day, bro. Rashad Johnson [00:03:29]: After that, I get that a 100%. Reginald Ferguson [00:03:32]: So before we go into our topic, please tell us, so what do you do? Rashad Johnson [00:03:54]: So my name is Rashad Johnson. I am a bespoke tailor and fashion designer. I run TAC Bespoke which is a fine luxury bespoke suiting and artisanal clothing company. So we focus on bespoke and dibble to dabble a little bit with contemporary, you know, designs, silhouettes, and garments, things of that sort, and we focus on the modern individual in their world of experience, so that's a little bit about what I do and what I provide for the people. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:28]: Very cool. And I know you're down for the people, Rishad. We're gonna talk about that. Rashad Johnson [00:04:32]: Cool. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:36]: So you and I met at the beginning of COVID. Rashad Johnson [00:04:40]: Yes. Yes, we did. That time has flown by. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:46]: Yes. It waits till no one, bro. Rashad Johnson [00:04:48]: 2 years It certainly doesn't. Yeah, it most certainly doesn't. Yeah, definitely top of, 2020. Yes. Wow, man. The time flies. Reginald Ferguson [00:04:57]: Yeah, look at that. So our mutual friend in common is Oscar Torres. Rashad Johnson [00:05:04]: Yes. Shout out to my guy, Oscar. That's a solid dude, man. Solid solid dude. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:08]: Absolutely. Of lost Torres Taylors, who is a friend of the show. He's been on an episode. And I went to support him out in Harrison, New Jersey, at a trunk show. And that's when you and I met. Yes. Yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:05:28]: That was a great trunk show. And that episode was great too. That was a gem. Definitely go back and listen to that, guys, if you haven't. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:34]: Oh, thank you, man. I I appreciate that. Oh, wow. I did not expect that. Now I'm blushing. So so so yeah. So we met there, and I remember you admired my tote bag. Rashad Johnson [00:05:53]: Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:05:55]: Filson. Rashad Johnson [00:05:57]: Filson. I was gonna say Hudson. Yes. Filson tote bag. It's funny that you mentioned that too because that is certainly something that I will be exploring more this year, which will be interesting. Kind of dabbling more on the design side of of getting into just made to order pieces, you know, small leather goods or that was a canvas bag, which I really like because it still had a great quality and great hold to it. I'm sorry. I'm, like, design nerding out. Rashad Johnson [00:06:24]: But, yes. No. No. I loved your bag. And it was the music too, you know, Reggie. It was it was definitely a, a connection with music as we were just, you know, talking shop, just chatting about, you know, what we like and our interest. It was definitely like the style, obviously, our Carmen language for fashion, and our taste for, like, that that great nineties rap that we had back in the day. Reginald Ferguson [00:06:48]: Yes. Well, I I was hoping that would come up. So I'm blushing again because I was the OG of that cipher. Rashad Johnson [00:06:57]: Oh, yes. That's true. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:00]: So essentially, I was like, oh, god. You don't understand. It's back in the day. Rashad Johnson [00:07:07]: These darn kids these days don't know. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:10]: This mumble rap, what the heck is this? It's ridiculous. Rashad Johnson [00:07:16]: Did you ever check out those artists, though, man? Reginald Ferguson [00:07:18]: Bro, to be honest, I forget the names, and I've been so embarrassed. So if you do remember the names, please DM me because there was that one. And, again, I can't even I can't even give you a clue, but I liked it. And I remember saying that to myself. I was like, man, I do not remember these names. They didn't write them down for me. No one DM'd me. But I thought of you on that tip because I think and correct me if I'm wrong. Reginald Ferguson [00:07:46]: I think I brought this up and then you elaborated and the rest of the crew did because all you guys are Zers, and Mhmm. I'm an ex. So my boy, Cordae. Rashad Johnson [00:08:02]: Yes. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:03]: Right. Rashad Johnson [00:08:03]: That was one of the first that came to my mind actually as we started talking just now. Yeah, Corday is definitely one of them. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:10]: Right. So I remember that because because he used to be what was it? YBN? YBN Cordae. Mhmm. And that's what you Rashad Johnson [00:08:19]: guys YBN crew. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:19]: One of you, you're like, yo, you gotta check out the YBN album. So I did. So that I remembered. And I did. And it's funny, when I listened to it, he was the one who stood out in the crew because everyone else, I drifted. I was like, yeah. This is a bunch of garbage. Mhmm. Rashad Johnson [00:08:36]: Which is why he's he stood out in the zone and dropped the the YBN. You know? It all makes sense. And you know, he's a Maryland guy too, you know, so we cut from a different cloth out here. Reginald Ferguson [00:08:46]: I did not realize, no pun intended, I did not realize that he was from the DMV. Yeah. But yeah. And then actually just recently, I checked out some of his back in the day videos, particularly on WorldStar and stuff. Rashad Johnson [00:09:06]: So I Reginald Ferguson [00:09:06]: actually do that. Yeah. Look at that. See? I'm sorry. Rashad Johnson [00:09:11]: Got me on that one. Exactly. That's to give you the Internet. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:15]: I checked out his, his Tiny Desk concert Mhmm. Recently as well. Bet you didn't check that out. See, I'm Rashad Johnson [00:09:23]: I haven't. I'm sleeping on my tiny desk too. I haven't been Reginald Ferguson [00:09:27]: Yeah. There's a lot of people in tiny desk. Rashad Johnson [00:09:29]: Yeah. It really is. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:30]: But, yeah, you guys were like you said, we were we were conversing on topics that we love. We were talking about fashion. We were talking about rap. And, I really liked that you guys gave respect for back in the day. And, yeah. I mean, that was that was totally cool. I did not realize that you were scanning my Filson zippered canvas tote with the leather accents. Rashad Johnson [00:09:57]: Definitely less. Reginald Ferguson [00:09:58]: But I'm flattered because, you know, my steases and Rashad Johnson [00:10:04]: I get you. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:04]: Good at that. You know? Rashad Johnson [00:10:07]: No. My my design brain almost never turns off. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:11]: Okay. And I think also you had checked out my shoes. Can't remember what shoes I had on. I can't remember what it Rashad Johnson [00:10:17]: was, though. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:18]: I think I had boots on. Yeah. I think Rashad Johnson [00:10:21]: Like a brown not quite a cognac, maybe like a brown, all leather boot, lace up? Reginald Ferguson [00:10:27]: Yeah, it was a Chelsea boot. Rashad Johnson [00:10:28]: Oh, it was a Chelsea. Never mind. Never mind. Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:31]: That's what I think. Rashad Johnson [00:10:33]: I don't know. Who knows? Reginald Ferguson [00:10:34]: I don't know, man. I was just fly as hell. That's awesome. Rashad Johnson [00:10:37]: As you said. As you said. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:39]: And as and as you were as well. Rashad Johnson [00:10:40]: So Thank you, sir. Reginald Ferguson [00:10:43]: So I like to do research of my guests. So I have a bunch of questions. And I think this is really interesting because I like speaking with other individuals in this classic menswear game who are not from New York City. Mhmm. Because I feel what you're doing clearly is related, but it's also varied. And hopefully, you will convey to me and the listeners what's going on in DC, Maryland, Virginia, And just trying to understand, hey. What you know, what's the clientele like out there Mhmm. You know, in comparison to here, you know, and just the rest of the country. Reginald Ferguson [00:11:32]: So what led you to become a tailor? Rashad Johnson [00:11:40]: It was an accident, I like to say. It was a beautiful accident. Throughout my youth, just throughout life, I've always been a creative individual. I just never really found an avenue to really focus that energy, because I was never put in an environment and not to get too philosophical about it, but I just wasn't in environments like art schools and things like that. Or the art programs I did take, I didn't also just take the self exploration into that. So basically what happened after graduating high school and going into college, I began to kind of explore fashion, especially having, some of, like, my closest friends in college, like, that 1st year. They were making clothes, and they were just really into fashion. It was just unique because I didn't have friends like that at home who really took it that seriously. Rashad Johnson [00:12:40]: So it allowed me to take it more seriously because I saw proof in the pudding from people who weren't from where I was from. They were actually mostly from New York, actually, ironically. Reginald Ferguson [00:12:49]: Where did you go to school? Rashad Johnson [00:12:51]: I went to so I went to boarding school for high school in West Virginia, and I started college. I was at Hampton for about a year, and then I transferred back home, and I was at a community college out here in, like, Prince George's County because that's really where I'm from. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:10]: Did you see? Rashad Johnson [00:13:11]: And then Yeah. And then while I was there because during that time, I was kind of going back and forth between physical therapy or as I was starting this journey in fashion design and being self taught, going into fashion design. So, like, while I was there, I was in limbo. Then eventually, I was like, look, I'm doing this. Found a school, and transferred to, Stevenson, which is a small private university outside of Baltimore, and that's where I studied fashion design. And I think when we met, I was probably in, like, my last semester. Reginald Ferguson [00:13:46]: Oh, wow. Yeah. So, yeah, I was Fresh out the pack. Rashad Johnson [00:13:51]: Yep. Yep. Yep. So that's that's the the academic background, and, yeah, that kind of coincides with just, like, yeah, being self taught. I wanted I really just started tailoring for myself and just messing with things, just trying to figure it out, learning things, YouTube University. And then as I got really into it, I found a lot of forums of just, like, super, super, super archived tailoring, books and just this network of individuals, as well as, having, like, mentors and then, like, studying other, like, alterationists and tailors and things like that, And just growing very a very, very natural progression, along the way because here in the States, especially here in the D. C. Area, there aren't many true bespoke tailors. Rashad Johnson [00:14:48]: And even in New York, there's only a small handful. -Right, that's true. -So, for me, I was like, this is something I just naturally, like, just really fell in love with because it just matched with me, like my vibe. I'm a very old soul, but I still like fashion in general, so that's why I wanted to explore the 2, explore tailoring as like my super, super specialty, so to speak, but then also go to design school to get that full lens of fashion design with men's wear, women's wear, working with different theories, and all the things you learn in that in that facet. So so that that's really what inspired me. Reginald Ferguson [00:15:29]: So you said really you started really clothing yourself, so to speak. Correct? Rashad Johnson [00:15:36]: Definitely. Yes. And Reginald Ferguson [00:15:41]: being in that whole classic menswear realm, was that a direct pipeline from your family? Like, meaning specifically your dad or your uncles or cousins? Like, why did you immediately go, hey, jacket, suit, pants, this is me? How did that how did that come about? Rashad Johnson [00:16:01]: That's a great question. It was very natural. I you know what it was. I did make this decision. As my brain and my my focus and kinda like my love for it was transitioning from, like, fashion is, like, a consumer, just like a kid who just, like, loves street wear and just loves, like, nice things Mhmm. And started to understand the technicalities of it, I realized that tailoring isn't everything. And from there, taking that and then also taking I will say, like, being raised in a church. My grandmother, I would go to church for her, like, all the time. Rashad Johnson [00:16:47]: Yeah. So I was definitely raised in a church. So that kind of sensibility of feeling good in a suit was normal to me. It was familiar. In high school, I was at a college preparatory boarding school, which used to be a military school. So it was a blazer and slacks every day, shirt tie every day. So that practice of and then also just I was always raised to just be, you know, have good presentation. Yep. Rashad Johnson [00:17:16]: So taking pride in classic menswear was already ingrained in me. And from there, I kinda just looked for ways to combine the 2 of classic menswear and then just menswear in general, and just what did I want my wardrobe to look like. Oh, I can make this a career. And then, oh, how do I find my way along this journey and just figure it out as as I went? Because again, there's definitely a strong community of fashion in the DC area, the DMV in general, but for classic menswear, not so much. So it was really just me finding my way, you know, as I went along. And this is like pre, you know, pre suit supply really being like the place to go, like the, you know, just the suit was dead dead, quote unquote, like in that pocket of time, of me, you know, finding it. And, yeah, it's definitely comical because the suit can never die, but that's like not saying hip hop is dead. Like, you say it's dead just to bring it back. Rashad Johnson [00:18:21]: Right. But, that was just me just finding it, finding that path on my on my own, you Reginald Ferguson [00:18:27]: know? So, Suitsupply, do they have a store in Union Station? Rashad Johnson [00:18:35]: They have one in Georgetown. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:37]: Oh, in Georgetown. Okay. Rashad Johnson [00:18:38]: Yep. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:40]: Gotcha. So it's funny. We talk about DC. And then just for the listeners, when Rishad and I say DMV, it is not for you to get your license. Rashad Johnson [00:18:53]: No. Not at all. Reginald Ferguson [00:18:54]: It is Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. So we know d m you know, we know DC. Bardon me. We know d DC is Chocolate City. Rashad Johnson [00:19:10]: Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:12]: And I also wanna tie this in. You also go by a moniker of the Afro Taylor. Rashad Johnson [00:19:20]: Yes, sir. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:22]: So does your clientele exclusively look like you? Rashad Johnson [00:19:27]: You know, it doesn't, and I like it that way. It was really just just doing something that was distinctive. Subliminally, you know, as African Americans, and you know this where it's like, our hair is very important to our identity a lot of the times. Reginald Ferguson [00:19:47]: Absolutely. Rashad Johnson [00:19:48]: So I knew that, you know, just being African American. But also, just like people who may not realize that or know that about black culture, the Afro is, you know, it's unforgettable. It's very distinctive, And I wear it always wear it in a very natural way. So it's hard to forget. And that was just that was just a play on and just the Afro Tailor. Afro being, you know, what I wear. Also, like, coinciding with, like, you know, Afrocentric, my design aesthetic in a sense as well, and just being me. You know what I mean? I don't I never wanted it to make it so it was ostracizing for other people, and it hasn't so far, so that's been good. Rashad Johnson [00:20:39]: But, yeah, just doing something that I thought was clever and distinctive. And also because another thing that that drives me, there's not a lot of people that look like me that are in fashion, classic menswear, practicing tailors. I could go down the list. So, yeah, it was just something that was like, this is you know, you gotta be clever. You know how it is, Reggie. You gotta have something that just, like, that hits and I felt like it hits, so I ran with it. Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:15]: Absolutely. I mean, you you see my tagline. Rashad Johnson [00:21:18]: Exactly. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:19]: The name of my business. Rashad Johnson [00:21:21]: Yeah. And it makes sense. Everything's on brand. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:25]: I I try. I mean, it's definitely intentional. And and, you know, if you're lucky enough, people remember. Rashad Johnson [00:21:34]: Right. Reginald Ferguson [00:21:35]: So, but this also means that you can never get a Caesar now, Rishad. You cannot. Rashad Johnson [00:21:42]: And I was cool with that. I was already cool with it. This is, like, something I'll probably have forever, you know. But that's that's how I was. Yeah. Yeah. If I'm lucky. If I could be like Cornel West or something, you know? Right. Rashad Johnson [00:21:56]: Right. Yeah. And it was funny because me growing my hair up coincided with my journey as a tailor. Like, as I was studying, it just happened to be like something that I was just, like, kind of reinventing myself in a sense. And so they just kind of were happening at the same time. So I had a different IG tag, back then. And then I, like, switched it. I was like, you know, I'm a I'm a rock with this. Rashad Johnson [00:22:22]: This is what it's gonna be from now on. And so, yeah, that was that. So Reginald Ferguson [00:22:31]: the tailoring path were understanding, But then you decided to create a brand. And that's TACT Bespoke DC. Rashad Johnson [00:22:41]: Yes, sir. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:42]: And I found out that TACT is an acronym. Rashad Johnson [00:22:47]: Yes, it is. Reginald Ferguson [00:22:49]: For the TTA for clothing and tailoring. Rashad Johnson [00:22:53]: Yes, sir. Yeah. You definitely do your homework. I already knew you did, but yeah. Yeah. It is. I don't you know, I I actually don't it was a double, I guess, double entendre in a sense. I felt like tact as a word. Rashad Johnson [00:23:09]: There are many reasons why I chose that. So, one, I just always again, going along the journey and knowing that I wanted to eventually step out of my own, after I got the education, the experience, I knew that I would want my own business because it was a very I just felt like I had a unique perspective on it and what did I wanted to provide, you know, to the world and my clients. So in thinking about a brand name, I always wanted it to have that Atelier vibe because my love for fashion has always been like luxury. Like, I've always been enamored with, like, going back and studying Dior and and his influence on Saint Laurent and and Pierre Cardin and and crystal ball and sierra. But, like, really understanding why these houses are the way they are, how they operate, things like that. So, and as well in the same with Put the Bespoke. It's a very Atelier vibe. They just don't call it that. Rashad Johnson [00:24:10]: So that was like, oh, yeah. This is it. And then I was like, okay. What am I making? It was just a very literal, you know, acronym. And then also, I looked up the word tact and tact means to just have a very keen sense to know what's appropriate, and I feel like that's just a very gentleman thing to be, like, just to know what is appropriate or gentlewoman, or however you identify. I felt like that was a very from an ethos perspective, it made a lot of sense. So it worked on both ends, and I was like, now we're here. We're gonna lock this in and this is it. Reginald Ferguson [00:24:49]: So talk us through the client experience if an individual wants to get a suit with you? Rashad Johnson [00:24:58]: Yeah. So it's very personal. The role as a tailor is it's a service, but it's truly a relationship that you're providing. And that's what I that's what we focus on at at Tack We Spoke. So basically, the experience encompasses a client shows interest. We go through a dialogue. Once we reach a point where we're ready to have a consultation, that consultation is very personable. So whether it be a suit or, again, like I said, just a regular it might be a shirt. Rashad Johnson [00:25:44]: It might be bomber jackets and pants. Whatever it may be, it's not just going through the design. It's just understanding the person as they are. A lot of the times, the clients that I'm dealing with, they are business professionals or just, you know, public figures or whatever it may be. So their lifestyle is very important to the clothing that is in their wardrobe. So it's really about diving into that process, understanding them so I can provide them with the best consult for my design wheelhouse and understanding of construction. And also the fact that I'm doing it all internally in a house is not going anywhere else. So it's very, like, everything that they're giving me, I'm trying to give back times 10. Rashad Johnson [00:26:30]: And that's the best way that I can, summarize it. So we'll go through that consult, take fittings. We'll go through a few fittings, fittings with the garment being made depending on, you know, what the garment is. And after that, product is delivered, and I'm checking in on them to just see how everything's holding up, whether it was for an event. Again, it's relationship over time. Oftentimes, people are circling back because, again, it's just when you want that unique thing, you know how it is when you're selling for people. You can't always find it in the shop. Sometimes you have to just get it made for you, and that's really the the wheelhouse that we like to focus in. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:11]: Every month when something important is going on, I send out my New York Fashion Geek newsletter to my fellow geeks. It drops on Fridays, and it offers a quick glimpse into the world of The Fashion Geek. I offer some tips and it's a nice breezy read. To sign up, just head over to nyfashiongeek.com and fill out the welcome sheet. So, 8 to 10 weeks on average? Rashad Johnson [00:27:40]: Yep. Yep. 8 to 10 weeks for the suits. Yes, sir. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:43]: 3 to 5 fittings? Rashad Johnson [00:27:45]: Yep. Reginald Ferguson [00:27:47]: What would you consider the house style of tac bespoke DC? Rashad Johnson [00:27:54]: Very timeless. The right amount of modernity, but still very timeless. I'm not the biggest fan of a suit where I can look at it and know when it was made. And so that is like And to be honest, you know, in our community, the people who know, they know, they can look at a suit and tell, but when they see a bespoke product, they're like, I don't know when this was made. I just know they probably they either already had it for decades or are gonna have it for decades. I don't know quite when the commission was done, but, you know, that's that's what this isn't this is the we're in the game of timeless classic clothing, you know, classic menswear, like you said. So some of the details I can tell you are, as always, hand embellishments are are super, super important to the to our house style. So, pick stitching around all lapels, double pick stitching around all lapels, surgeon hand finished buttonholes, one button closure. Rashad Johnson [00:28:59]: Cutaway along the front is not too extreme, but not too conservative. It has a middle ground. I can't quite put a number on it. You just have to see it. I love a peak lapel, but it just depends on the person. The lapel can change depending on the person and the garment, whatever the the situation calls for. And as far as the fit, fit is always precise. Try to always try to steer clients away from being too close to the body. Rashad Johnson [00:29:36]: We like to just have a trim fit through the waist, comfortable in the chest, trim it through the waist and the seat of the jacket, and then the same with the pants. Very clean through the pant leg. Somewhat higher on the waist, but not like the classic high waist trouser. And a little bit of trimness through the through the taper of the leg, kind of from the knee knee down to through the opening. So in words, that's the best way I can describe the house style attack. Reginald Ferguson [00:30:08]: Sure. Sure. How is it, particularly in light of everything that we've gone through with this one pandemic, explain a virtual consultation for me, please. Rashad Johnson [00:30:26]: Virtual consultations. Yeah. It's it's it is difficult. For me, this is something I would like to integrate into the business. We're not quite there yet, but being able to fit virtually is definitely feasible and we'll grow into that. But truthfully, at this stage, the virtual aspect is mostly just the that consultation aspect for me, whether it be, you know, a client calls like a returning client may call me up and, they might have some ideas and I might sketch some things up to them and send it over to them. But at the end of the day, I still have to come in, put that tape around them, make sure they haven't been eating too much or losing too much weight, you know, and go through that fitting process after that. But I will say the virtual consultation is definitely going to change the game up, and I'm looking forward to see how the industry in general, adapts with that and and how customers adapt with being more comfortable with that experience. Rashad Johnson [00:31:36]: But yeah, it's still kind of a hybrid for me at this stage. Reginald Ferguson [00:31:43]: You mentioned earlier, hey. Before suit supply, DMV denizens just were not they weren't rocking suits. Rashad Johnson [00:31:56]: I won't say that. They they rock suits. So And we said we would touch on this too, Reggie. Reginald, sorry. So Yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:32:04]: It's all my name. Rashad Johnson [00:32:06]: The DC area is a government hub. Right? So and there's a lot, especially just in the city of just DC specifically. There's a lot of lawyers. There's a lot of money moving around in DC. So and there's a lot of people who still work in very classic culture industries like, you know, being in insurance, being in real estate, being a lawyer, you know, being in some form of consulting, you know, all those those types of, professionals, they're definitely still wearing suits. The community for custom clothing is pretty niche. There's basically about a hand a nice handful of shops that have been around, And, you know, we're all just kinda, you know, just fighting along, just establishing ourselves in our names. People wear suits. Rashad Johnson [00:33:08]: I don't wanna say they don't wear suits. But for the people who don't wear suits, if you if you follow my drift, places like Suitsupply and Indochino, people are becoming much more organically aware of custom clothing Because in my personal opinion, I feel like men used to be taught how to wear classic clothing from their fathers, and it's not as much as the kid or their grandfather or uncle or whatever it may be. Reginald Ferguson [00:33:40]: -Yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:33:40]: -And it's not as much as the case anymore because of just the way the trend has swung, much more to just casuality, due to work and just people want to be more comfortable. Fabrics are you know, knit fabrics have progressed astronomically over over the decades. So, you know, things have just culture has just changed, as far as dress. So, like, street culture is really heavy and it is in the DMV from my age group. But for maybe like a more older established professional, they definitely either have a guy or they go to like a franchise shop, where they go to, and there's a couple couple OG's that are that are still around in the DC area. I know my dad has one that he's been going to for years when he was working. He's retired now. But, yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:34:34]: Yeah. It it it depends on the person. You know? Reginald Ferguson [00:34:39]: Yeah. No. It totally totally makes sense. I guess my point is, how do you spread the word? You're saying to me, Bespoke Taylors in the DMV, barely any. Rashad Johnson [00:34:53]: Oh, yeah. Reginald Ferguson [00:34:54]: I am 1. So how do you convey particularly the the link of quality expense with a person who may or may not understand that. Particularly like you said, supply in Duchenne gives a first step for people in the educational process. But when someone looks at you and goes, 3 Gs? Rashad Johnson [00:35:27]: Right. Which is a steal. Reginald Ferguson [00:35:33]: I don't understand. So how do you convey it accurately and effectively to, you know, to develop and to grow your clientele? Rashad Johnson [00:35:44]: Like I was saying earlier, and you just mentioned mentioned it, it's relationship and it's education. Those are the 2 main things. So, one of the community of people I have around me, or just pulling from my clientele as well, they understand the direction of what I do because I've either educated them, they already know, or I built the relationship over time to where that is established. And that's really the main way because that's how the bespoke culture really has always existed. Bespoke is to be spoken for, so everything was a reference. And it was kind of if you know, you know. And the people that knew, they either were already financially established due to their class level or were taught over time, to have the appreciation for this craft and this quality of of garment. And that's just something I uphold still today. Rashad Johnson [00:36:48]: Of course, I'm using the Internet as much as I possibly can to to expedite that and expand reach, But again, my avenue is always building the relationship, you know, taking people along the journey with me and, you know, educating them along the way. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:10]: So this is a good moment for a segue because we share something else in common and it's not just clothing and it's not just the boom bap. You are now the host of a podcast for Taylor's Talk. Rashad Johnson [00:37:30]: Yep. Reginald Ferguson [00:37:31]: Break it down. Rashad Johnson [00:37:32]: Yep. So Taylor's talk the the goal with Taylor's talk is to bring the audience into those behind the scenes conversations. I say consultation as consultations that tailors, but also practitioners in general, would have, to just bring those barriers down on many different things. Right now, we're focused on tailoring. And like you said, this is a perfect segue because as I spoke about the relationship and the education and the journey, there aren't any podcasts hosted by tailors on the market right now that do that. A lot of the tailors, the houses that we love, the Henry Pools, the Anderson and Shepherds, we know of them from a digital perspective due to publications, not due to them tooting their own horn, so to speak. They let their work speak with them because they have 100 of years. They have the heritage, etcetera, etcetera. Rashad Johnson [00:38:36]: But it's not like they have, like, Louis Vuitton marketing plans. You know what I mean? And they're out outreach, and it's really just a community boasting them up, which is great, but I feel like in this day and age, the younger Taylors that are emerging, the new age of Taylors that are always emerging, we have the opportunity to capitalize on our voice, and just you know, speak and just let our thoughts be free and let people get to know us. And that's really the goal of my platform is for people to get to know me, learn with me, give away free game, and, I also learn about that bespoke craft, and also I like to be able to bolster people in my community, that I can bring on and have them speak about what they do as well. So it's it's it's a few different niche perspectives on it, but I try to keep it multifaceted. But but that's the that's the lane we're in. And I'm loving it, man. The podcast I like to talk to people. I really enjoy talking to people, especially going through those consultations, and I realize just like how much stuff people learn when I'm just talking, like just aimlessly talking, not even really trying to, like, teach them anything specifically. Rashad Johnson [00:40:01]: I'm just asking questions and I'm sharing. So that was like, man, let's just bottle this up and just give this away to people and just let the people appreciate it. So that's what Taylor's talk is all about. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:14]: How many episodes in are you? Rashad Johnson [00:40:16]: We're 9 episodes in. Pretty fresh. So it's a weekly release. So I I started how to put this at the November 2020. So it's fine, man. It's fine. Writing the content is fine. Kinda being more strategic about it. Rashad Johnson [00:40:34]: When I do solo episodes versus when I have guests on like yourself and things like that. Reginald Ferguson [00:40:42]: Yes. I'm waiting to be a guest. Rashad Johnson [00:40:44]: Oh, yeah. Next step, Reg. Next step for sure. That's gonna be fun. Again, man, just like how we're having this conversation, like, you as as a style consultant, being able to bring you on and my friends that are designers and different business owners, you know, there's so many everybody has a voice, and I just love to be able to share mine and be a conduit for others. You know? Reginald Ferguson [00:41:06]: Well, I'm happy to have you on, and this is gonna be great that we can do a reciprocity through this medium. Rashad Johnson [00:41:13]: A 100%. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:15]: I found a tagline that I'd like you to elaborate on. Rashad Johnson [00:41:18]: Okay. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:19]: Find your passion and respect it with quality work. Rashad Johnson [00:41:24]: Wow. I said that. Reginald Ferguson [00:41:26]: You did. Rashad Johnson [00:41:28]: That's a gem. I might have to reuse that. Yeah, man. That's the I couldn't encapsulate it better, to be honest with you. That's really just how I live with my craft. I think, 1, it's a privilege to be able to find a passion because a lot of people aren't able to or haven't had the epiphany or the opportunity to reach that moment where they're like, wow, this is what really drives me internally. You know, I'm really passionate about this. But I think also with that, we have to, just appreciate that, and I try to do that every day. Rashad Johnson [00:42:08]: And I guess that's what inspired me to put that out there. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:13]: I'm glad I jogged your memory. Rashad Johnson [00:42:17]: Me too, man. Thank you for that. I'm out there. I have, like, a board. I put up, you know, quotes from, like, other people every week. I might have to put myself on my own board. That's the thing. Reginald Ferguson [00:42:28]: He's like, was that was that off the dome? No. Yeah. You said it's on the sun. Rashad Johnson [00:42:35]: No. It must have been. You know how it is when you're writing too, man. That's how how I write. It's very it's very flow. You know, when you get in that flow where things just come out, that's how I write. And that's how a lot of the written content, whether it's on my social media pages or especially on the website, a lot of that stuff is just organically coming from how I truly intrinsically feel. So, yeah. Rashad Johnson [00:43:05]: That was that was great. Reginald Ferguson [00:43:09]: Rashad, why is fashion important? Rashad Johnson [00:43:14]: Fashion is important. I feel like style is really truly important. But at the end of the day, it's to me, it's all about personal presentation. And that's what drives me because I feel like how you dress yourself, the fashions you're in, your style, It allows you to non verbally communicate how you're feeling the day, maybe how you identify with certain communities, your thoughts, your opinions. It's just a creative form of nonverbal communication, which I love, and that love is why I feel like it's so important and why I love to be able to be a conduit for that for other people. Reginald Ferguson [00:44:05]: What difference has fashion made in your life? Rashad Johnson [00:44:09]: The proof is in the pudding for me, man. Just being a young individual and being sharp the way people receive you is always completely different. Even when I'm just in regular built clothes, you know, regular, degular vibe, if I'm just in jeans and slacks, people always receive me based upon the energy I'm putting out and how am I carrying myself, but I feel like with the suits and just with what I wear, period, I'm always able to say it without having to say it, and that's what I love about fashion. I also just love how it feels about myself. Like, I love just being able to just get up, put something on that really aligns with how I'm feeling that day, and just maybe do nothing. You know what I mean? I might just run around the corner and get some groceries or something and come home, but just feeling good in what I wear is great. There's something about it. I feel like it's a drug probably. Rashad Johnson [00:45:16]: But, yeah, it's just something that just I've always had in me, and I can't really explain it. I don't know, Reg. Maybe you can explain it, man. What what about No. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:29]: No. No. This is you. This is Rashad Johnson [00:45:31]: I'm I'm asking you though maybe the reason why I say that is because and this is also probably why I have the podcast too, because I like to find commonality and consensuses with people, like a confluence, so to speak. Like, I feel like the people that get it, you just get it, and if you don't, hopefully, I hope you get it one day because it's a beautiful thing. Boom. Reginald Ferguson [00:45:57]: You don't need my help. You just just dropped another gem, brother. Rashad Johnson [00:46:01]: Appreciate it, man. Appreciate it. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:04]: What's the top fashion tip you would give the everyday man so he could look his best? Rashad Johnson [00:46:10]: Find you and be you, and that's all you really need. There's a garment out there that will best present how you would like to be seen, and you just have to find yourself in that garment, and you'll be all good. I know that's a very abstract statement. You dropped Reginald Ferguson [00:46:33]: you dropped another gem. Rashad Johnson [00:46:36]: Well, that's really it. Reginald Ferguson [00:46:37]: You're the absolute poetic of this movie. Rashad Johnson [00:46:41]: That that's really and that's why I say style. As everybody always says, I think I had the quote right next to me. UCLA said, fashion phase, style is eternal. Style is eternal because it's in you, and as soon as you can find your style, you're good. That's why it's called a style consultant. When you have a great style consultant like original, and they're able to find that lane, help you find that lane if you can on your own, with your style. It's not a it it, you know, it speaks for itself at at that point. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:18]: Thank you, man. I I appreciate that. Rashad Johnson [00:47:20]: For sure. Reginald Ferguson [00:47:22]: So what does always be fly mean to you? Rashad Johnson [00:47:27]: Always be fly. It's always be on. I can't Always be fly, I mean, just like always be on. Always be, I guess, on your best. Be on, be fly, be be swaggy, you know what I mean? Be dapper. Whatever that word whatever the best word it means be means to you. Just be the best version of yourself also. I feel like style is is in the clothes, but it's also definitely in how you carry yourself. Rashad Johnson [00:48:06]: And when you fly, you're just moving, like, in your zone. You know what I mean? I'm like a big energy guy. So, like, when you just in that zone and that vibe, that's fly to me. And it's powerful. Dapper Dan has a quote. He says, man, I'm gonna mess it up because I don't have it quite memorized. But basically, he was like, being fly is power, and being power is and being powerful is being flyers. Something along that lines. Rashad Johnson [00:48:40]: And I feel like that's so true, because he's, like, pulling on that abstract, you know, thought of, like, you know, just being a flyer is just, like, being the most powerful version of yourself in a sense. And I think that's what being a fly is all about, man. Have you read his book? He his that, memoir is really good. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:04]: I have it. I have not read it. Rashad Johnson [00:49:07]: It's pretty good, man. It's pretty good. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:09]: Oh, I know. That's why I have it. Rashad Johnson [00:49:12]: Oh, you said you have it, but you have not. Yes. Got you. Got you. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:16]: Yes. I have it, but I have not read Rashad Johnson [00:49:20]: it. Got you. Yeah. It's in there. When you see it, you'll be like, that's what he's talking about. Reginald Ferguson [00:49:28]: Well, I mean, he's one of my heroes. So for you to use that, you're just trying to get on my good side. Rashad Johnson [00:49:35]: Oh, he's a hero for me too, man. Shout out to Dapper Dan, man. It was he was a name. Even as a kid, like, before, you know, even being a teenager, like, I just was always taught to, like, what it was, you know, and this is why I love rap too. Just it coincides with everything so perfectly. I was raised on old school. I have just like a very old soul And I was raised on like Eric being Rakim and, you know, just like classic rap, classic 70s soul, you know, neo soul in the 90s, stuff like that. But, you know, specifically with rap, like Dap was dressing all those guys, so, shout out to my mom. Rashad Johnson [00:50:18]: It's like, she always made sure I knew who Dap was. Like, we used to have, Follow the Leader, Eric Dean Rakim Vinyls in the crib. Reginald Ferguson [00:50:25]: Oh, that bad. Rashad Johnson [00:50:26]: And I was like, yeah, man. I kinda You Reginald Ferguson [00:50:28]: know the cover, bro. I got a t shirt of that album cover, son. Rashad Johnson [00:50:33]: Exactly. So I got it down. The vinyl's garbage, but I was like, I'm keeping this sleeve. Like, I have it at the crib. And, unfortunately, he had a flood. It's all good though. But, the cover is iconic for so many reasons, but specifically, you know, Dapper the Dance piece for Eric B and Rakim is immortalized on that cover. And being a kid, you know, knowing that it's like, you know, when you turn on the radio and they play in the old schools, like, that's one of the ones they play as Airbnb Robert Camp, paid in full. Rashad Johnson [00:51:09]: So she always told me, like, that's Dapper Dan, that's Dapper Dan. I would be like 9, 10, like, okay, cool. And I just knew who he was. And then unfortunately, like, you know, they had to cease and desist in the 90s, but it's great that he's able to like, get his flowers now, and be back in the limelight. And, his career path just greatly aligns with, you know, and inspires me, him being, him just, like, doing his due diligence, like, having the taste, you know, for the culture, synthesizing it into garments, and also just like him being a practitioner, like him being a tailor, and knowing how to construct things, and running a TAV, man. He had a 20 fourseven TAV in Harlem. Like, that's nothing too, and you had it. So, yeah, that's why I say shout out to Dapper Dan. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:00]: I just love a young schooler referencing the old school with the Dapper Dan mic drop. Rashad Johnson [00:52:08]: Yeah. You gotta know Garvey has a quote. I'm big on quotes. Marcus Garvey has a quote. He says, a people, they cannot know their future if they don't know their history. That's a sub phrase a paraphrase. And I feel like that's true. Obviously, you have to innovate every day. Rashad Johnson [00:52:27]: I think that's what the youth does in in any era. We always are innovating and being progressive, but there's power in knowing knowing your history, man. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:38]: No doubt. That's why you're the Afro Tailor. Rashad Johnson [00:52:40]: A 100%. Reginald Ferguson [00:52:45]: Rishad makes me feel proud because he represents the next generation of Taylors. It's a humble profession. It doesn't have enough young people willing to carry the torch. Listening to this young guy speak, I feel the craft is in very good hands. Rashad Johnson [00:53:03]: Check out Rashad's Reginald Ferguson [00:53:04]: podcast, Taylor's Talk, on your favorite network. You can catch the Christian Dior exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and pick up Dapper Dan's Made in Harlem wherever fine books are sold. Well, that's a wrap. Thank you so much for listening. We hope you had fun and are down for another one. Please tell a friend who could use some fashion help about the podcast or share an episode with them directly. If you enjoy the show, please give us a rating and review on Apple Podcast. Lastly, if you constantly struggle putting an outfit together and are looking to turn that confusion into confidence, I'd love to talk about how we can improve your weight. Reginald Ferguson [00:53:49]: Check me out at nyfashiongig.com, and email me at reg@nyfashiongig.com for a consultation. Special shout outs for our producer search and everyone down with the Fashion Geek podcast. If you have a story suggestion, you can email me at podcast@nyfashiongeek.com or hit me up on the insta@newyorkfashiongeek. And remember, always be fly.