Tailor Keith Jones finds that generally three kinds of clients tend to consult him.
“There are the clients who know exactly what they want,” he said. “They come in with photographs, say, ‘I want this, just like this’ and we maybe make a minor tweak or change the color.”
On the other end, said Jones, are those whose vision isn’t as clear.
“They have a general idea, but they need a lot of guidance in the process,” he said.
Finally, there are the “in-between” clients. They have a stronger notion of what they want, perhaps they know what colors to choose, but need a little help with the finer details.
“At any stage in that process, I can help,” said Jones.
He’s been guiding people toward their own sense of style and making the clothes to match for at least eight years, having launched Keith Jones MTM (which stands for “Made to Measure”), the Augusta-based clothier, in 2014.
Jones’ interest in fashion didn’t begin there. The fashion section in “The Augustan,” the local arts magazine he co-published with David Walker, had Jones interviewing people on the street about style. Live fashion events sponsored by the magazine, called “Afternoon of Style,” featured hosted vendors, artists and live music.
This proximity to the world of designer clothing further stoked an enthusiasm he already had. Heeding this, Jones said, was what led to starting the clothing line and tailoring business.
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“The impetus was probably just following my passion,” he said. “Looking for my purpose and aligning that with something that I’ve always been interested in, which is fashion and style. And, of course, marrying that with being an entrepreneur.”
Making lapel flowers and other accessories would eventually become tailoring suits. Most of the shop’s clientele is buying for weddings, and Jones notes that many ideas come from popular trends on Pinterest or bridal magazines.
Occasionally, however, a customer has a creative vision of her own. Jones recalled one such client – a young woman who had a very specific design in mind for a coat with satin and velvet.
“We just sketched it out and created it,” Jones said. “It’s not something that you would find anywhere. It’s just an idea that she had.”
Alongside suits, the shop also designs custom shoes, and a bridal line of the brand, called Keith Jones Couture, is also in the works.
Jones notes that how he uses the opportunity to work with clients in order to measure out what is best for them, both physically and stylistically, is part of what makes is brand unique.
“I would say it allows you to have a very personal connection to your wardrobe,” he said. “Because essentially, you’re the designer.”
Keith Jones MTM is based from inside Lace & Veil Bridal Boutique, at 500 Furys Ferry Rd., Ste 103. For more information, visit https://www.kjonesmtm.com/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
