Conversations with Divij Hemrajani

Today we’d like to introduce you to Divij Hemrajani.

Hi Divij, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up around clothing, fabric, chalk, pins, and measuring tapes. My family has been in the tailoring business since the early 1960s, when my uncles opened their first custom shop in Hong Kong. My father, the youngest of the eight brothers, carried on the business — and he’s the one I first apprenticed under. For me, tailoring wasn’t something I discovered; it was something I absorbed.

As a kid, I’d watch my dad work with clients — explaining the nuances of cloth or why the shape and fit of a garment mattered. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was learning an old-school craft that most people today will never get to see up close. Over time, I fell in love with that combination of color, fabric, precision, artistry, geometry, and personal connection.

After training under my father, I launched Divij Bespoke to continue the family tradition but bring it into a new era. During my tenure with him, I built strong relationships with clients, master tailors, and some of the world’s best fabric mills — partnerships I still maintain today. My focus has been on creating a more modern experience around that heritage: traveling to clients, understanding their lifestyles, and crafting timeless pieces that truly fit their world. I also now offer a full bespoke garment — a multi-stage fitting process, 100% hand-finished, made entirely from scratch.

At the heart of it, my story is about carrying something forward. I didn’t just want to make suits; I wanted to preserve a way of doing things properly — with British tailoring techniques, fine workmanship, the world’s best fabrics, and an enduring sense of care, honesty, and craftsmanship that lasts.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges has been preserving my family’s tailoring tradition while expanding the business and maintaining the same level of workmanship. My goal has always been to uphold the classic tailoring of British house styling while adapting it for the modern gentleman — refining the cut, softening the structure, and incorporating more Italian elements to create a more balanced, international house style that feels timeless yet contemporary. Finding that bridge between tradition and modern evolution is an ongoing process, and it’s what keeps the craft exciting and our silhouettes updated.

Another challenge early on was earning people’s trust — getting someone to feel comfortable entrusting you with building their wardrobe. Tailoring is deeply personal. Once clients meet with me, see how I assess their posture and proportions, and understand the care that goes into every detail, their confidence grows. That moment — when they realize how different true bespoke is — is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

I’ve also learned that growth as a tailor comes through mistakes, repetition, and patience. Over the years, I’ve developed a sharper eye by constantly studying fit; noticing small issues, improving pattern balance, and adjusting details to create a better fit for each unique body type. Every fitting teaches me something new about body types, proportion, fabric behavior, and construction nuances. Those lessons have now compounded over time and directly shape how I’ve approach future garments and clients.

In an age of fast fashion and same-day delivery, explaining that process — and helping clients understand the value behind it — takes time and trust. But it’s also what makes it special.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Divij Bespoke, I specialize in full handmade bespoke tailoring — garments that are drafted, cut, and finished entirely by hand, using traditional techniques that have been passed down in my family for over sixty years. Every piece starts with an idea and a conversation. From there, we draft a unique pattern for each client, analyzing posture, shoulder balance, and how the body moves. It’s a process that can’t be rushed — it’s collaborative, detailed, and deeply personal.

All of our jackets are fully canvassed and finished entirely by hand — from hand-sewn buttonholes to hand-padded chest canvases, collars, and armholes. We also craft beautiful custom shirting to complete a client’s wardrobe.

What sets us apart is the combination of heritage and evolution we’ve achieved in the tailoring space. I stay true to classic menswear traditions while shaping a more contemporary silhouette — smooth, clean, and balanced, with proper proportions and structure. Through years of trial, refinement, and listening to clients from around the world, I’ve developed a distinct house style that blends the softness of Italian construction with the discipline of classic British tailoring. The goal is always to make the suit feel like a natural extension of the wearer — structured yet soft, refined yet effortless, timeless yet contemporary.

Beyond construction, I take immense pride in the experience. I meet my clients one-on-one, often traveling to them, guiding them through fabrics, styling details, and functional design choices. Many of my clients have been with me for years — it becomes less about buying clothes and more about building a wardrobe that reflects who they are. We work with the world’s finest fabric mills, including Loro Piana, Zegna, Vitale Barberis Canonico, Dormeuil, Fox Brothers, Harrisons, and Scabal, among others.

What I’m most proud of is bringing someone’s vision to life; whether it’s a business suit, a wedding tuxedo, or a casual piece with character. I’m proud of the knowledge I’ve gained, the team I’ve built, and the craftsmanship that goes into every garment. Watching a client’s confidence grow when they put on their finished piece; that excitement and self-assurance, that’s what fuels my passion.

That’s the magic of bespoke tailoring: it’s not just about how a suit looks, it’s about how it makes you feel.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about my area is the weather. It’s almost impossible to have a bad day when the sun’s out and I can feel the coastal breeze on most days. I enjoy few cooler months and a few warmer ones — it gives me a chance to bring out different pieces and colors from my wardrobe. And when I’m not working, I love taking my road bike down Pacific Coast highway; it’s the perfect reset.

If I had to pick something I like least, it’s probably the traffic. Tailoring is all about patience and precision, so maybe that’s why I feel it more. But honestly, even with the traffic, the city has a rhythm and energy that I really enjoy being part of.

Pricing:

• Dress Shirts Start at $139
• Jackets Start at $1300
• Suits Start at $1700 for Semi Bespoke
• Full Bespoke with 3 Fittings – 2-Piece Suit Starts at $2600

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Divij.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divijbespoke
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/divij-bespoke-hemrajani-costa-mesa