Why discerning gentlemen go for bespoke tailoring
A lack of options when it came to bespoke tailors in Cebu led the scion of a shipping magnate to take matters into his own hands. Two years ago, at a time when pandemic concerns still hadn’t fully dissipated, Chase Cokaliong barreled through and opened Omerta Bespoke at Streetscape Mall in Banilad, Cebu.
The sleek interiors with dark wood paneling, leather couches, and a table arranged with samples of their imported, high-end fabrics give off a distinctly masculine vibe. Through word of mouth, Omerta Bespoke built up a following of Cebuano clients who, in the past, had to go to Manila or abroad for bespoke tailoring services.
Decades of experience
“We’ve built a client base that includes personalities from different industries and professions—all of whom put a premium on high-quality craftsmanship, dedicated service, and our catalog of imported fabrics,” Cokaliong told Lifestyle in an email interview. He added that many of them—men and women alike—have since come back to have additional pieces made.
“It isn’t just about getting a suit made. It’s really about tapping into the expertise of our team who have had decades of experience between them.”
Omerta is just one of the new businesses Cokaliong invested in in the last couple of years. The vice president for fleet operations and HR manager of the family-owned Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. has also ventured into coworking spaces, a photo studio space for rent, and party rental services. The family also owns Chester Enterprises, a one-stop shop for textiles, established in 1966.
For Omerta, he partnered with master tailor John Reconquista and Brian Llamanzares, son of Sen. Grace Poe. Their tailoring team is headed by a master cutter with tailors and sewers who have been in the industry for over 40 years.
“Many of them come from one of the pioneering bespoke tailoring brands in the Philippines, which gives them an innate understanding of what works for different lifestyles and body types,” Cokaliong said.
Now in Manila
Two years after opening in Cebu, they secured a space at Shangri-La Plaza Mall (2/L, main wing) in Mandaluyong, which they only recently opened. “We’re ready to offer Manileños a sophisticated and world-class bespoke tailoring experience from start to finish, with one of the fastest turnaround times in the market,” Cokaliong said.
At Omerta, a full suit takes from three to four weeks to complete—faster than most bespoke tailors in the city. They also accept expedited orders where turnaround time is just one week.
Cokaliong is particularly proud of their fabric selection, mentioning Loro Piana, Piacenza, Holland & Sherry. They also have fabrics from Sebastiano Veronese, known for its classic patterns like Prince of Wales checks; British-made Huddersfield, whose name is synonymous to the finest quality woolen and worsted cloth; Vitale Barberis Canonico, with a history in wool mills that can be traced back to 1663; and Lanificio Cerruti, founded in 1881 by brothers Stefano, Antonio and Quintino Cerruti.
“We also make sure that the team is up to date on the latest trends in fabrics, colors and silhouettes. They are dedicated to finding the right ensemble that will work best for your body type and your lifestyle.”
How many times does a client have to come in for their fittings? Cokaliong said that most of the time, one fitting is all it takes but it really depends on the client’s preferences, but three fittings at most.
“Another thing to note is that Omerta clients are entitled to lifetime alteration services that will be free for the first year from the time of purchase, and for a minimal fee beyond that. Once you own an Omerta piece, you have a bespoke tailoring house partner [for life],” Cokaliong said.
For those looking for the bespoke tailoring experience, he suggests getting a three-piece suit or a barong Tagalog made. The barong at Omerta are made using piña fabric with hand-embroidered designs that cannot be duplicated by a machine.
“We believe that our dedication to an impeccable standard of quality and service sets us apart, and will continue to speak for itself. In Italian, Omerta means a code of silence. We believe that when you see someone wearing an Omerta piece, you will be so awed that you are moved to silence,” he said.
