Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
André McLaughlin is suiting up clients and bringing his passion for fashion to Norfolk. He recently opened his third luxury showroom for André Julius Custom Suits & Tuxedos, a luxury garment company specializing in custom suits for men and women at 424 W. 21st St. in Ghent. His other locations are in Williamsburg and Richmond; all are by appointment only. McLaughlin said he was always drawn to fashion. At 5 years old, he was donning a suit while playing the drums at church. “That passion for dressing carried through high school, where I was voted ‘Best Dressed,’” McLaughlin said. “I continued to stand out with a unique and polished style in college too.” After graduating from Randolph-Macon College, McLaughlin served as a police officer for 13 years before embracing his entrepreneurship dreams of working in fashion. He spent countless nights on YouTube teaching himself tailoring techniques, fabric composition, measuring, design and how to build relationships with manufacturers and mills. “I wanted to master the craft, not just the suits,” he said. “That self-taught grind, combined with my discipline and structure from law enforcement, helped me build a brand that stands for quality, precision and style.” McLaughlin said every garment is created through a true bespoke experience. The process begins with a private consultation to understand the client’s personality, lifestyle and vision for the garment. Next, over 30 precise body measurements are taken before the client selects from a library of over 20,000 luxury fabrics sourced from the world’s most prestigious mills. Every design element is custom, from the cut and construction, design details and type of garment. Customers can choose lapel width, lining, monograms, stitching color and styles such as modern slim silhouette or soft Italian drape. In addition to suits and tuxedos, garments include custom shirts, skirts, trousers, overcoats and specialty pieces. The process takes four to six weeks, though expedited services are available. Williamsburg-area suit designer garners national attention for dressing sports stars André Julius has designed items for public figures including Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, ex-NFL athlete and “CBS Mornings” co-host Nate Burleson, gospel artist Jonathan Nelson and many others. Men’s fashion is experiencing a powerful revival of classic tailoring drawing inspiration from the 1960s and 1970s, McLaughlin said. Men are embracing statement silhouettes again. “What sets my suits apart is that I’m not just a clothier, I’m a designer,” McLaughlin said. “For many of my celebrity clients, I’ll literally sketch a look from scratch, creating something that has never been seen before. Every detail is intentional.” A grand opening celebration, with brunch-style hors d’oeuvres, giveaways and special guest appearances, is planned for the Norfolk showroom from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 29. For more information, visit andrejulius.com or call 757-437-0171.
