Today we’d like to introduce you to Paco Fernandez.
Paco, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
First and foremost, I am humbly honored to be interviewed by such an outstanding Magazine as Voyage of Chicago is. Having lived in the city of Chicago since 1966 I have always aspired to be where I am today.
My name is Paco Fernandez, a native of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. I am happily married for 44 years with 3 children a set of twins 43 and my baby girl 33 and 9 grandchildren. My entire adult life I’ve dedicated myself to provide the best quality of clothing and customer service to my clients and friends. I arrived at the city of Chicago when I was 13 years old, while enrolled in Harrison High School located on the southwest side of Chicago I was sparked by a comment that forever changed my drive and entrepreneur.
My teacher at the time was bothered that I was asking too many questions and my obvious lack of English wasn’t helping either, I was asked if I was that stupid that I needed to ask that many questions, I decided to walk out after only attending 6 months of high school adding to the 2 years of grammar school I had obtained while in Mexico.
My first actual job in the city was working at a store name Kapson’s Clothing Store on 26th & Spaulding in La Villita neighborhood. I started washing windows and doing general duties, but little did I know my life was about to change. I was approached by Mr. Kapson’s he had asked me if I would be interested in helping with their sidewalk summer sale and responded “ No way” I’m not a salesman I hate selling things to people. I was convinced to participate since I was only to keep an eye on the merchandise.
The following Monday morning, Mr. Kapson’s sat me in his office and I was terrified thinking of the worse possible outcome, since I had never before been in his office before. I remember Mr. Kapson’s comments as if it was yesterday and he stated and I quote “Did you realize what you did? I started to sweat and shake not knowing the outcome, he noticed my body language changed his tone and smiled, he said “ Please don’t misunderstand me let me explain he proceeded to tell me “ Did you realize that you sold more than all of the sales staff put together? I replied “Hell No” I did not sell anything, sir. I still had my guard up and wasn’t getting the message he kept smiling and told me that he wanted me to stop washing windows and offered me a job selling inside the store. I replied I wasn’t a Salesman and was only making suggestions. The rest is truly history.
As I continued to thrive in the industry Mr. Kapson’s suggested that I apply to sales position downtown Chicago, I responded to an Ad for “The Custom Shop”. At that time a chain of 75 stores coast to coast. I was hired originally as a temp for 3 weeks that later turned into 28 years that eventually led me to hold the position of Regional Clothing Director of 33 stores and 11 states. During my tenure, I was able to build a great amount of network that gave me the courage to start my own clothing company.
Paco’s Custom Clothiers measured its first customer September 22nd, 1999, since then we have over 4 thousand of customers worldwide that I personally attend to.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The market crash of 2010 almost put us out of business as people stopped buying clothing on a regular basis so it was a very large struggle so I decided to start manufacturing some of our clothing in China so we would be more prize comparable so we offer a made to measure suit, as well as a true Bespoke Bench, made garment as well.
Please tell us about Paco’s Custom Clothiers.
We offer Made to measure clothing as well as Hand Tailored. For men, we offer the complete attire from casual to business to formal and for women, we specialize in Business clothing. We have a Showroom downtown Chicago as well as an office in Highland, IN and we offer the service to meet with our customers at the convenience of their home or office.
I have served on the Board of Directors of Custom Clothiers & Designers of the USA that gives us excess to every mill around the world so we carry from the basic fabrics to the best of the best for clothing and shirtings for men & women. I wear colorful bowties and crazy socks as well as crazy suit linings so people now expect the crazy lining from our clothing.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The city of Chicago river walks the outstanding architecture the city offers everything any city has to offer at a slightly slower pace. Dislikes that is easy the winters…. LOL
Pricing:
- Our suits start at $895.00
- Shirts start at $125.00
- Sport coats start at $695.00
- Slacks start at $295.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 233 E Erie Ste 701
Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: www.fineclothing.net
- Phone: 312 208-0626
- Email: paco@fineclothing.net
- Instagram: fineclothing.net
- Facebook: @pacoscustomclothiers
- Twitter: @chicagoclothier
- Other: Linkedin Paco Fernandez
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
