Every handcrafted suit reflects precision, heritage and a lifelong passion for timeless elegance.
By Sitaram Mewati
Every bespoke garment begins not with fabric or a sewing machine, but with a conversation. Before a single stitch is made, Master Vinayak Rao studies the client’s posture, lifestyle, personality and expectations, believing that every individual deserves clothing created exclusively for them rather than adapted from a standard pattern.
At a time when fast fashion and factory-produced garments dominate wardrobes across the world, bespoke tailoring continues to represent precision, patience and craftsmanship. Unlike ready-to-wear or made-to-measure clothing, true bespoke tailoring involves creating an entirely new pattern for every client, with multiple fittings and meticulous hand-finishing to achieve a garment that offers exceptional fit, comfort and longevity.
For Rao, bespoke tailoring is not simply about making a suit—it is about creating a garment that reflects the identity of the person wearing it.
“Every individual has a unique body structure and sense of style. A bespoke garment should never be adjusted to fit a person; it should be created exclusively for that individual,” he says.
The philosophy of bespoke tailoring traces its origins to London’s historic Savile Row, internationally recognised as the home of handcrafted tailoring. A defining influence on Rao’s career has been his training under Andrew Ramroop OBE, the internationally acclaimed Master Tailor of Maurice Sedwell, one of Savile Row’s most respected bespoke tailoring houses. The experience strengthened his understanding of precision pattern cutting, garment architecture and the discipline required to create garments entirely by hand.
Rao further expanded his expertise through advanced designer courses in Singapore, gaining exposure to international tailoring techniques, contemporary design principles and fabric innovation. Returning to Mumbai, he combined these global influences with the tailoring tradition established by his father, Master M. N. Rao, blending time-honoured craftsmanship with modern bespoke practices.
Every bespoke garment created under Rao’s supervision begins with detailed measurements and individually drafted paper patterns rather than standard templates. From shoulder balance and lapel proportions to canvas construction, sleeve pitch and finishing, each element is carefully considered to ensure the garment complements the wearer’s physique and personal style.
According to Rao, the renewed appreciation for bespoke tailoring reflects a growing desire for quality over quantity. Clients today are increasingly seeking garments that offer individuality, durability and timeless elegance instead of following rapidly changing fashion trends.
Beyond style, bespoke tailoring also supports more conscious consumption. Garments crafted from quality fabrics and traditional techniques are designed to last for years, encouraging thoughtful purchasing while reducing the cycle of frequent replacement associated with fast fashion.
Despite this renewed interest, bespoke tailoring remains a demanding profession that requires years of training, discipline and experience. As industrial manufacturing transformed the apparel industry, the number of artisans capable of producing genuine bespoke garments steadily declined. Rao believes preserving these traditional skills is essential for safeguarding one of fashion’s most respected crafts.
At his atelier, Rao personally oversees every stage of the bespoke process—from consultation and pattern drafting to fittings and final finishing. He also mentors aspiring designers and tailors, while the family’s tradition continues through his brother, Madhusudan Rao, and his son, Akshay Rao, who is training under him to carry the legacy into the next generation.
“Fashion trends may change every season, but craftsmanship never goes out of style,” Rao says. “A bespoke garment is not defined by a label. It is defined by the skill, patience and precision invested in creating something that belongs to one individual alone.”
In an era where speed often takes precedence over craftsmanship, bespoke tailoring continues to demonstrate that true luxury lies in time, precision and individuality. Through craftsmen such as Master Vinayak Rao, this centuries-old tradition remains relevant, reminding us that the finest garments are not mass produced but thoughtfully created for the person who wears them.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
