Hi, I’m Shih-Hsun Lee, and I graduated from Shih Chien University’s Department of Fashion Design in 2010. After graduation, I completed my military service and then interned at a traditional tailoring shop in Taipei while preparing to apply for graduate school. I was fortunate to be accepted into Parsons School of Design in New York, where I earned my Master’s degree with a collection focused on menswear craftsmanship. My designs combined traditional tailoring techniques with contemporary twists, and I even had the opportunity to present my collection at New York Fashion Week.

After graduating, I began working as an assistant tailor in the same suit factory where I interned during my studies. I was responsible for managing client orders, overseeing production, and ensuring garments were completed on time. My supervisor eventually left to start his own business, and a few years later, I joined his company, Genuardi Master Tailor, where I now work as a tailor. We’re a small but well-known bespoke menswear company serving clients from across the U.S., particularly in New York and major West Coast cities. My primary job is to craft suit jackets, which requires precision, patience, and an eye for detail. Each jacket takes about five days to complete, depending on the fabric and design complexity.

Looking back, one of the biggest turning points for me was my internship in Taipei. It was there that I discovered the vast difference between menswear tailoring and ready-to-wear design. That experience sparked my passion for this craft, which is slowly disappearing in the fast-paced fashion world. I take pride in having stuck with garment-making, even when many of my peers moved into other fields. It’s a never-ending journey of learning, and I’m always striving to improve my skills and speed.