Everyone has probably experienced putting a garment back in the back of their closet because it no longer fits, or the design seems outdated, and they think, "I like it, but the silhouette just doesn't suit me anymore." At Made to Measure on the 5th floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , there are professionals who can "revive" such clothes. SARTO is a clothing alteration workshop that proposes a new kind of "clothing reform."

©SARTO

SARTO is a group of professionals that handles all kinds of clothing alterations, from general repairs and alterations to size and pattern adjustments to flatter the figure, and even redesigns that reconstruct clothing, such as remakes and customizations. SARTO 's work is to cultivate in Japan a culture of cherishing and using good quality items for a long time.

This time, we interviewed Masaya Dan, the representative of SARTO . We asked him about the significance of "clothing alterations" and his work.

Reasons why SARTO 's repair techniques are so advanced

When you think of clothing alterations, you might imagine "partial corrections" such as shortening hems, adjusting sizes, or repairs. However, SARTO possesses advanced techniques that allow for "alterations close to tailoring" and "complete redesigns," practicing unique work that is recognized worldwide.

Their advanced alteration techniques are the result of experience honed by disassembling and repairing all kinds of clothing, from top French fashion houses to fully hand-stitched suits from Naples. The craftsmen actively gather trend information by attending exhibitions held throughout Europe, and also conduct research on production processes by visiting Savile Row in England and famous factories in Italy.

This is one of the initiatives that has been passed down to the younger generation and supports SARTO 's technology today.

©SARTO

Of course, that's not all. When asked about the circumstances that led to the opening of a store in Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building seven years ago, Mr. Dan replied, "Being able to see wonderful items carefully selected from all over the world up close is a great asset for us. Also, it's important that the store 'takes on problems' by responding to all the demands of our discerning customers. It's also important for SARTO to solve those problems and raise the level of our products."

Through interacting with many discerning customers, each craftsman consciously strives to hone their skills and sensibilities.

A job that connects customers with the "stories" that are born from their clothes.

Mr. Dan, who worked for an apparel manufacturing and wholesale company, first became interested in the "alteration" business 29 years ago. This was around the time when "environment" began to become a key word in society. Then, after the Great East Japan Earthquake, alterations gained attention. "After experiencing the earthquake, 'bonds' became a powerful word, people's awareness shifted, and more people came to think that it was cool to cherish good quality items for a long time," he says.

SARTO 's alteration techniques are recognized even by top-class tailors in Italy. According to Mr. Dan, the job that became a "turning point" was a request from a customer who had previously had a suit made by Cesare Attolini and had lost about 15 kg by the time he picked it up. The finished product was highly praised and endorsed by Attolini headquarters.

"This gave me a lot of confidence," says Dan, and this experience prompted him to start altering top-quality handmade suits. He now handles difficult repairs that other shops won't accept, such as raglan-sleeved coats, removing large creases of 2 cm or more from the back of suits, and fixing holes in high-gauge knitwear.


When asked about the current state of clothing alterations, Mr. Dan said, "There's been an increase in customers buying their 'best outfit' for special occasions." He continued, "Customers' attitudes towards clothing are changing, and more and more people are buying clothes they want to wear for a long time, intending to wear them for 10 years or more. Of course, their body shape changes as they wear the clothes, so we have thorough discussions with our customers about 'how to alter them.' And it makes me very proud when, after the alterations are finished, they say, 'I'm glad I had it altered. I'll wear it again.'"

He proudly states that he takes on jobs that "no one else would dare to do," such as reducing the amount of down in a down jacket by a third and re-sewing it to make a "light down jacket." Apparently, craftsmen who come to SARTO from other ateliers are all surprised, saying, "They go that far?!"

©SARTO

"We learn everything important from our customers." — By taking into account the stories created by the owner and the garment, the clothes that pass through SARTO 's hands begin to shine anew.

---

→Information is also updated regularly on ISETAN MEN'S and Men's Tailored Clothing's Instagram accounts!

SARTO
■Reception hours: 12:00 AM to 8:00 PM
*Alterations are by appointment only. If you wish to visit our store, please contact us at the number below.
*Prices and delivery methods vary depending on the item. Please contact us for details.
*All prices include tax.

Photo: Keita Takahashi
Text: Makoto Kajii

For inquiries, please contact Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 5th Floor, Men's Tailored Clothing.
03-3352-1111 (main representative)