Trade Essentials: Enrique Vijande of Freemans Sporting Club

Born in Havana, Enrigue Vijande has been honing his craft since a young age when he was introduced to the art of tailoring by his grandparents. In 1980 and at 22 years of age, Vijande left for America where he worked professionally at the legendary menswear label Sulka for seven years and then as a bench tailor at Oxxford Clothes. Fast forward to today and he’s been Freemans Sporting Club‘s master tailor for eight years. With 34 years of experience under Vijande’s belt, he’s still learning something new all the time and says, “You have to learn what kind of person you’re making clothes for… every person is different and you have to please the person.”

Aside from his expert knowledge and trained hands, Vijande has a few trusted Trade Essentials that help him make those exquisite pieces. Starting off with a range of chalk for different types of markings, he then moves onto basting thread and canvas to hold together the suit in its early stages. As for the threads, Vijande uses quality silk to ensure linings and buttons are securely on the hand-cut buttonholes. Last but not least, his trusty pair of tailor shears, which never leave his side round things out. Enjoy our latest installment for our Trade Essentials series and head over to Freemans Sporting Club to find more of Vijande’s work.