Freddy Vandecasteele Shirtmaker in LA

[Shirtmaven]

I would like to introduce the forum to a Custom Shirtmaker in Los angeles. My reason for this is that he has lamented that his customer base has dwindled. They are up in years. He has had trouble attracting a younger customer base.

Though we have never met in person, we have spoken and communicated via email for over 10 years. I have never seen his work, but I have sold him fabric.

Why would I recommend him? He has the training.
He has diplomas from Art et Metier in Belgium As master tailor and cutter,he also has a diploma from Academie Darroux in Paris as Master cutter. His father was also a tailor.

He makes his own patterns, cuts and sews all the shirts himself.

He also makes the shirts for a an older "Taylor" in Los angeles. A gentleman who wears a rather distincitve tie knot. I do not think this "Taylor" would deliver a product that was not well made.

His prices are quite fair as well.
Here is his contact info.

13263 Ventura Bl #4 Studio City CA 91604
818-789-2813
fnvdc@aol.com

There are many other shirtmakers hidden away in various parts of the USA. If you are interested in finding one who actually makes their shirts in house, then feel free to contact me.

Carl Goldberg

www.cego.com

[Jazzypaint]

After reading a review of Freddy Vandecasteele at http://sleevehead.blogspot.com/ I decided to have him make me a bespoke shirt. I was very pleased with the results as the quality / fit is amazing. He has a wonderful selection of fabrics in stock and had my first shirt ready for me in under a week. Moreover, his prices are very reasonable. It is easy to see why Jack Taylor chooses Freddy for his shirts.

[tmack3]

i have some of his shirts through jack taylor. they are very nice. i personally like anto shirts better, but freddy is a good guy.

[Mute]

Wow! The price is a steal if the quality in the picture is any indication of this shirtmaker's skills. I'll give him a try. Too bad he isn't closer to my side of town.

[LARon]

i have some of his shirts through jack taylor. they are very nice. i personally like anto shirts better, but freddy is a good guy.

How would you compare the two, side-by-side, and why do you prefer Anto? (I'm actually in the market for a couple of white shirts and have been casting about for someone to make them. I'm taking a break from the Borrelli/Kiton prices for a while.) Also, what are their respective prices?

[Don Goldstein]

What is his minimum order?

[tmack3]

I like Anto better because they have a huge selection of fabrics. I was able to get the shirts fitted more quickly as well. Ken and Jack are very easy to work with. Anto shirts are generally $25-50 cheaper as well. I'm no expert, but the quality of their shirts seemed better. Don't know if it was the fabrics per se, but they just felt like they have sturdier construction. I also liked the size of the collar, but i assume the shirts from Jack Taylor could be made with a similar collar. I probably have 15-20 shirts from Anto.

The shirts from Jack Taylor require more effort because Freddy has to come in from the valley. That changes if you live near his actual store. Again, those shirts were nice, just prefer Anto.

[LARon]

Thanks.

[erasmus]

A point of clarification. If you work directly with Freddy, his prices start at $140. A white Alumo shirt I ordered recently was $165. There is no minimum order (at least when I first ordered). I ordered one shirt initially. Collar sizes (and angles) are all adjustable of course.

[Freddy Vandecasteele]

I am Freddy when I work for Mr Taylor I follow his schedule and instructions
You get an "Jack Taylor shirt". When you come to me you get what you want
I follow your instructions and somethime you get it the next day.I work for other peoples because I need the work! I agree Anto seem to make a very good shirt.My prices start at 145$ with no minimum.I get my fabrics from,
Acorn- Andros- American Sember and my good friend Carl Goldberg.Better yet you can bring your own fabric.
I hope this post is OK
Freddy Vandecasteele
818-789-2813

[WA]

Buying a shirt throught somebody else is not compareable with buying from the actual shirt-maker and somebody else.

To fairly compare Freddy Vandecasteele to Anto's shirts you would have to go to each and have them each see you, measure, do the fittings and make the shirt. To degrade one because of a middle man is unfair. To see the customer can really change the pattern of the shirt. Blind measurements leave out a lot of details. Again, somebody else doing the fittings can create a vastly different shirt. And the ideas of fittings can have huge difference, too. 1/4 inch can make a huge difference in how comfortable a shirt is, Going to the actual maker is almost every time better.

Hopeing Freddy puts up a webpage.

Welcome Freddy Vandecasteele.

[tmack3]

WA - I'm assuming your post was a response to mine. Freddy took my measurements and did the second fitting. He was a helluva a nice guy and the shirts are great. I certainly did not degrade the man or his product. I simply compared the product he measure, cut and made for me versus another product from a comparable shirtmaker. After reading his post and seeing his prices, I'd be inclined to visit him in Studio City. I wish him the best of luck because we need more people like him, especially in LA.

[WA]

WA - I'm assuming your post was a response to mine. Freddy took my measurements and did the second fitting. He was a helluva a nice guy and the shirts are great. I certainly did not degrade the man or his product. I simply compared the product he measure, cut and made for me versus another product from a comparable shirtmaker. After reading his post and seeing his prices, I'd be inclined to visit him in Studio City. I wish him the best of luck because we need more people like him, especially in LA.

I was talking about going throught Mr Taylor to getting a Freddies shirt and then compare to Anton, which is unfair.

Going to the actual maker, as you did, is a world of difference. Sounds like you have some very nice shirts.

[tmack3]

just to be clear, i went to Jack Taylor for the shirts, but Freddy was there and took the measurements.

[WA]

just to be clear, i went to Jack Taylor for the shirts, but Freddy was there and took the measurements.

That sounds like good business harmony between the two of them. One stop shopping for you.

Though, I still would be curious to see Freddies shop.

[Jazzypaint]

I suggest starting with just one shirt. When you pick it up, he will fine tune the fit until it is perfect. If you don’t like the collar shape after trying it on, he will even change it as well. Once he has made a shirt that is perfect, he can make as many or as few additional shirts as you need without additional fittings.

Also, if you call ahead, he is very flexible about meeting around your schedule.

You can’t beat the price or the quality!

[slav2fashn]

Mr Vandecasteele - How broad is your selection of American Sember materials?

[Freddy Vandecasteele]

It is easyer if you call me.
Freddy Vandecasteele

[Tonyp]

Freddy is a wonderful man and an excellent tailor. his shop is a pure tailor shop. Not fancy. He will make 1 or 10 shirts for you. His work is excellent. I have only had him make one shirt for me but I will go back for more. He really deserves a big following.