Meet Toronto’s Hidden Gem of Custom Clothing
Tucked away, up in the clouds above Toronto’s downtown core rests King & Bay Custom Clothing. Of the various corners of the city that make one think of fine tailoring, Brookfield Place is far from it, yet there I was, acting on a tip of a good friend (and talented model recently spotted on Vogue, presenting for Terry Singh). Stepping through the doors on the 25th floor, with sprawling city views below you and vignettes of bold patterned suits abound, the space has far more of a gentleman’s lounge feel than your typical high-end suiting shop.
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
I often raise a bit of an eyebrow in spaces like this. The same goes with luxury watch boutiques, whisky lounges, and the like. Draw you in with a fancy couch and a dram, and squeeze you for all your hard-earned cash, right? Far from it, really. Sure, they knew I was coming as an editor, fitting up for an upcoming video project, but there was zero “upselling” to be had. What I needed, what I liked, and what I had budget for; there was really little input needed from me beyond these three variables. I’m never one for the suit and tie vibe on a personal level, but the team was exceptional at guiding me through the process. Sure, I’ve interviewed more than my share of custom tailors over the years, but rarely did it ever involve my own suiting.
Perhaps what sold me from the start, rather than the dram and the curb appeal, was the punch and personality of the fabric and liner choices on offer. There’s always something to be said for a good statement piece, worn right, and that’s precisely the type of garment that King & Bay excels at. It’s part of their legacy, as founder Hozefa Hararwala puts it. “We began with a simple belief — that every individual deserves a tailored expression of their unique story. Clothing is more than fabric; it’s an art form that tells a narrative. Our legacy is a testament to the pursuit of sartorial excellence, a journey marked by the desire to celebrate individuality.”
Fabric selection is more than merely a visual affair, of course, and King & Bay hasn’t pulled any punches. By now, if it’s not obvious, we’re a far cry from the leagues of Suit Supply and other pedestrian made-to-measure offerings. The clothier’s catalogue taps some of the world’s best fabric mills — Drago, Canclini, and Zegna, to name a few. “We are steadfast in our commitment to excellence. The fabric we use for every garment we make is sourced from the world’s finest mills, which is a testament to our dedication to quality. Every fitting, consultation, and detail are woven together to create a bespoke journey that reflects our unwavering commitment to exceeding the expectations of those who entrust us with their style.” states Fashion Director and Master Clothier Michael Truong.
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
King & Bay Custom Clothing
As bespoke and custom suiting continues to boom in Toronto, there are only a few who jockey for top position. Even within the office, there are multiple favourites, and we have no intent of ranking or apples-to-apples comparisons for the time being. What I can say is this: When it comes to bold, expressive statement pieces cut from some of the finest cloth and trimmed to perfect proportion, I’d make no qualms about heading back to see Michael and Hozefa.
