For February Fashion Week 2012, Ace Hotel New York will partner with Martin Greenfield Clothiers to present a pop-up tailoring studio in The Boardroom of Ace where visitors, guests and friends can be fitted for bespoke suits and garments by tailors from Martin Greenfield, including the master tailor, Mr. Greenfield himself. Martin Greenfield is the standard setter in the fashion world for designers and clients with an appreciation for the classic art of tailoring. The hand-tailored garments, painstakingly measured, cut and stitched by hand at his East Williamsburg, Brooklyn shop, are sought after by designers, pop stars, politicians and film directors who seek sartorial perfection.
Mr. Greenfield has been making fine hand-tailored suits for well over 60 years. Born in Czechoslovakia, his first experience stitching garments was as a young prisoner at Auschwitz. He survived, and with the help of his uncle emigrated to Brooklyn and got a job in the factory of GGG Clothing. Thirty years later, he bought the factory from his employer. He kept the sewing machines humming through the 1977 black-out and riots, and through the lean times and break-ins of the following decades, while many factories shut their doors. Today, over 130 craftspersons work the tables in the loft-style factory of Greenfield Clothiers, still using the time-honored techniques Mr. Greenfield learned as an apprentice. They still use antique machines and irons no longer in production, still hand-sew 50 stitches for every button hole. A finished suit still takes 108 operations by 80 or more artisans and six weeks to complete.
Martin Greenfield’s reputation for attention to detail and outstanding custom made suits has earned him an iconic status in the fashion world — GQ Magazine has called him “America’s greatest living tailor.” His work has been commissioned by designers at Rag & Bone, Freeman’s Sporting Club, Band of Outsiders, Donna Karan and more. Recently, his shop hand-tailored the 1920’s-era garments for the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire. His client list includes the likes of Martin Scorsese, Bill Clinton, Paul Newman, Michael Jackson and Patrick Ewing. We are inspired by Martin Greenfield’s dedication to his craft and honored to bring a true legend from Brooklyn’s heritage of artisanal fashion to Ace.
Exclusively for Fashion Week at Ace Hotel New York, tailors from Greenfield Clothiers, including Martin Greenfield himself, will conduct personal fittings in The Boardroom, February 10-12, by appointment only. Greenfield tailors will have extensive fabric books and a wide range of linings to choose from. Whiskey, beers, coffee and comestibles provided by our friends at The Breslin, Stumptown and Heineken. An RSVP is required to schedule a fitting — please do so at acehotel.com/greenfield, where you can also find information about payment and fittings.
Heineken and Martin Greenfield will be awarding a complimentary fitting and suit to one lucky winner. The contestant will be fitted for a made-to-measure suit in The Boardroom at Ace Hotel New York during February Fashion Week 2012. Open to New York residents 21 and over. To enter, send your name and birthdate here — the winner will be notified by email.
Film by Matt Jay
