Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Goyer.
Charles, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was young, I wanted to be a writer. I studied linguistics, and advertising, but realized quickly I didn’t fit in. I tried many other things, building houses in Oregon, restaurant work, sang in a band, a boat dock in Texas. Ending up back in LA, I worked for a film producer selling a rare book collection. When the job ended, I had no clue what to do with myself.
From years earlier, my favorite jacket was a light weight nylon racing jacket. I wanted a version of it made in wool, so I could wear it during the winter. A local seamstress helped me make the jacket, and I realized it was possible to make anything you want. Using an antique sewing machine from my grandmother’s garage, I started sewing army surplus tents, and duffle bags into jackets. I would wear these terrible jackets around town. One day an Italian fashion designer saw me on the street in Los Feliz, and offered me a job. I worked with them for 5 years. During that time, I also stayed in school. I learned to sew correctly, and make patterns at LA Trade Tech, I got a business degree from FIDM, then went back to LA Trade Tech to get a Tailoring Certificate.
In my last semester of tailoring school, I met a Savile Row tailor online. We shared pictures of our work, and he saw I kind of knew what I was doing. He invited me to come work with him in London. I spent a total of 8 months with him, learning sophisticated tailoring techniques which took my work to a new level. At this point, I interviewed, and was accepted to a post graduate course at Central Saint Martins called Innovative Pattern Cutting.
Following my adventures in London, I returned to Los Angeles to start my own tailoring business. However, after spending so much time sewing, and tailoring, my business, and marketing skills were not polished. For the next year, I struggled to get clients, I hired the wrong people to help me, and ultimately I ran out of money.
At this time an opportunity came up to work in Europe again. I spent time with tailors in Rome, went to Pitti Uomo, hand finished fur coats for a Syndicate approved Couture show in Paris, then cut suits in London. Finally returning to the US to look for a job, I was offered jobs in New York, and Washington, DC, but I wanted to stay in LA. I had a great apartment, and I like the lifestyle in LA, the easy going nature, and good weather. I started selling suits again to make some money, and did a fashion show with the women’s line St. John’s at the LA City Club downtown.
Again sales were a little slower than I would have liked, so I started consulting with other tailor shops. I taught the tailors tricks, and helped them improve their process. At this time, I started looking for work in film costuming in LA. Once the costuming jobs started coming, my private sales started to pick up again also.
My life has been anything but a straight line. I start somewhere, get an opportunity, then do something different, and end up nowhere I expected to be. Before I started sewing, I had no idea where clothes came from, or how they were made, and now I’ve trained, and worked at the very highest levels of the garment business. I look forward to a long career of making people look good.
Has it been a smooth road?
The older I get the more I learn that nothing is easy, and everybody struggles. Often in my life I’ve felt like nothing ever works out, and nothing ever will. Somehow, through massive, sometimes life threatening obstacles, I’ve finally come to a place where I feel like I have a shot. Even after all the opportunities I’ve had, there are no guarantees.
I just keep going no matter what. I don’t give up. I don’t let situations, or people stop me. I’ve fought for what I believe in, and I’ll never stop.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Comfort, confidence, and style hinge on proportion, appropriate combinations of solids, patterns, and textures. In my business, I work with private clients to establish a tone of masculine simplicity. When the correct elements are combined with a global perspective, the result is truly authentic.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
LA is the best city in the world. Everywhere I go, I always end up back in LA. I’ve turned down many jobs in the world’s capitals to stay here.
This city is great for starting a business. People are generally open minded, and approachable. Real Estate is at a premium, but not completely out of reach like New York. The diversity in LA is unparalleled. Talented people from every country in the world come to LA to start businesses, and thrive. I would highly recommend people move here to start a business, especially fashion, film, manufacturing, and lifestyle businesses.
Even though I love LA, it’s a tough city. The struggle is real, and unique here. Humility is one of the most important aspects to business in my opinion. For people starting a business here, don’t take anything personally.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charlesgoyer.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/charleskgoyer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlesgoyerbespoke
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/charles-goyer-bespoke-los-angeles
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