ZAHIR RAJANI | PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine | Volume 2 | Issue 5 | 2024

ZAHIR RAJANI: THE SARTORIAL SHOP

The Sartorial Shop, located in Downtown Vancouver, was founded by Zahir Rajani and is a premier destination for custom and bespoke clothing. Serving men and women, the shop has built a reputation for its meticulous craftsmanship and unparalleled attention to detail.

The Sartorial Shop offers a wide range of bespoke garments, including suits, tuxedos, formalwear, overcoats, shirts, skirts, waistcoats, and vests, each tailored to perfection.

With over 30 body measurements and postural notes incorporated into each design, The Sartorial Shop's process ensures an exceptional fit for every client. The shop provides both bespoke and semi-bespoke options for all its products, emphasizing true luxury craftsmanship.

Unlike mass-production facilities, The Sartorial Shop's garments are crafted with care and precision, reflecting a commitment to artisanal quality.

Zahir's parents founded Tasleem's, where The Sartorial Shop's story began. Starting as a small Main Street shop offering ready-to-wear clothing and formalwear, it introduced a custom line of shirts and suits in 2007. By 2010, the business shifted to a referral-based, by-appointment model, emphasizing custom craftsmanship. This marked Zahir's transition into a leadership role.

In 2023, Zahir reopened the storefront as Rajani Bespoke, expanding from custom suiting to fully bespoke offerings for the Greater Vancouver Area, and also clients across North America. This transformation included sourcing fabrics from the world's finest mills, such as Ermenegildo, Zegna, Loro Piana, and Fox Brothers, ensuring access to luxury materials crafted in England and Italy.

In August 2024, the brand re-launched as The Sartorial Shop, aligning with a vision of future growth and the introduction of even more offerings from the sartorial world. Today, it continues to bring the epitome of luxury and bespoke craftsmanship to its discerning clientele, solidifying its position as a leader in Vancouver's custom clothing market.

MEET ZAHIR

Zahir Rajani, Founder and Creative Director of The Sartorial Shop, brings over 15 years of experience in the sartorial and custom clothing industry. Tailoring runs deep in his family heritage, with both of his grandfathers having been skilled tailors in their respective home countries. From a young age, Zahir was immersed in the world of tailoring, learning the art and precision of garment-making under the guidance of his maternal grandfather, who specialized in men's tailoring.

Growing up, Zahir developed a fascination with the intricacies of design and craftsmanship. He spent countless hours exploring the nuances of lapel styles, trouser finishes, and proper garment care, skills that became second nature to him. This early exposure ignited his passion for sartorial excellence and laid the foundation for his future career.

Zahir's journey into custom clothing began in 2007, when he leveraged resources from his parents' clothing store, established in 1984, to create a custom menswear line. What started as a project to outfit himself and family members for a series of weddings quickly expanded to include customers from the shop. By 2010, when the family store closed after 26 successful years, Zahir transitioned the custom clothing line into a private, referral-based offering, which he managed alongside his career in global real estate.

In 2023, Zahir decided to return to his roots in tailoring, leaving his role as a high-level executive in global real estate to focus fully on custom and bespoke tailoring. After extensive research and development, including partnerships with renowned fabric mills and suppliers from England and Italy, he rebranded and reopened the family business, merging modern craftsmanship with timeless traditions.

Today, Zahir continues to lead The Sartorial Shop with a vision rooted in authenticity, precision, and luxury. His dedication to delivering world-class bespoke garments reflects his lifelong passion for tailoring and his commitment to providing clients with unparalleled sartorial experiences.

IN HIS WORDS

"Entrepreneurship has always been a part of my life, even before I began my corporate career, which eventually led to The Sartorial Shop. Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, as were their friends and several of my aunts and uncles. From an early age, I felt a strong desire to build something of my own, and here we are.

FROM AN EARLY AGE

"My father owned a movie theatre in the mid-90s, and at just 13 years old, he gave me the chance to negotiate my first contract. It was for a major Bollywood movie that was set to release later that year and marked our first dealings with a particular movie studio."

"During our conversations, I shared a few ideas on how to approach the negotiations, and to my surprise, my father suggested I take the lead. That moment was transformative. Not only did I think it was incredibly cool, but it also provided me with an early opportunity to engage in a process that would heavily influence my corporate career and, ultimately, The Sartorial Shop.

"That experience helped me realize that I had a strong affinity for the business side of things. I enjoyed planning, organizing, executing, negotiating, and operating. As I entered the world of corporate real estate, those early entrepreneurial lessons played a significant role in my success. Over time, as I climbed the corporate ladder, I became increasingly aware that my unique edge and what made me stand out stemmed mainly from the formative experiences of my upbringing.

BUILDING A FAM ILY

"My life took a profound turn in December 2022 with the birth of our daughter. Becoming a parent gave me an entirely new perspective and helped me chart the path I am on today. Having the freedom to choose how I spend my time, and being able to be present for my family, became non-negotiable priorities. After more than a decade of working for others, I realized that my time had never truly been my own. vacation days and time off always required approval.

"The pandemic brought clarity to many, myself included. It illuminated the true value of employees to organizations and the importance of cherishing time with loved ones before it is too late.

"My wife, who is also my travel companion of over 12 years, has been instrumental in this journey. Together, we realized that there is so much more to life than grinding away in an office. Leaving behind the corporate world to embrace entrepreneurship was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

"At one point, I decided to explore a newly launched custom suiting program at a well-known Canadian high street department store. It was an opportunity to observe the market, understand what was being offered, and potentially learn something new. At that time, I had not yet reopened the family business that would later become The Sartorial Shop. I ordered two suits to evaluate the process and gain insight into how the industry had evolved.

"About three months later, I was notified that the suits were ready. However, when I tried them on, I was unimpressed. After three rounds of alterations and adjustments, I eventually brought them home. Then, one morning, as I was tying my shoelaces while wearing one of the suits, the pants split down the middle. It was a frustrating and unexpected outcome, particularly after all the delays and alterations.

"That incident motivated me to write to the CEO of the company. I shared my experience and offered suggestions for improving their custom suiting program. To my surprise, I was invited the next day to meet with the managing director of the BC region."

"During our conversation, we discussed the issues I had encountered and explored ways to refine the process for future customers.

"In our meeting, the managing director asked how I had developed such a deep understanding of the custom suiting process and what defines a positive customer experience.

"That question sparked a realization: I needed to return to something I truly loved, reviving the family business. Around the same time, I discovered that one of our competitors was charging nearly double for suits made from fabrics sourced from the same premium mills. I was stunned. The price disparity seemed unreasonable and ultimately gave me the push I needed. I wanted to provide exceptional quality and service at a price that was both fair and accessible.

"This experience reinforced my passion and motivated me to create a business that not only delivers great value but also ensures every customer feels genuinely cared for. It was time to return to what I knew best.

THE NEXT STAGES

"We dedicated six months to research and development, refining our process and establishing partnerships with the world's leading premium fabric mills. I knew that our product had to be the absolute best, so rushing it to market was never an option. By the time we were confident that everything was ready, we launched on May 31, 2023.

"I am also proud to share that, earlier this year, The Sartorial Shop introduced a tailoring style inspired by architectural elegance of Florence, Italy.

"In 2024, we worked tirelessly to bring this distinctive and elegant tailoring style to Canada as an exclusive offering.

"Known for its dart-free front panel, extended shoulders, and simple aesthetic, the Florentine Cut was popularized by Maestro Antonio Liverano.

"We had the honour of meeting Messer Liverano at his sartoria in June 2024, which provided us with further inspiration for this unique piece we will soon unveil.

"Staying true to Italian bespoke traditions, this particular cut, offered as a suit jacket or sport coat, will be handmade with a beautifully hand-sewn canvas and crafted using premium fabrics from Loro Piana and Drapers by Vitale Barberis Canonico.

"Introducing this cut to Canada marks a significant milestone for our fashion market, and we are immensely proud to lead the way.

"None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of those around us. My family has been instrumental, particularly my wife, who co-owns the business with me. Without their belief in our vision, we would not be where we are today.

"At The Sartorial Shop, we offer the finest in custom and bespoke suiting, period.

From the selection of fabrics to the finished product, our approach to creating the perfect fit is unlike any other in Vancouver.

"While others charge $4,000 for a suit, we provide the same quality for $2,500. If we charge $4,000, it is because you are receiving $4,000 worth of suiting."

"It is simple: we are here to help you become the best version of yourself, and everything else we gain from doing that is a bonus.

"When starting a new venture, the hope is that it will take off quickly. We are fortunate that this has been the case for us.

"Demand has grown rapidly, not only locally and across Canada but internationally as well. While this is a wonderful challenge to face, it has underscored just how much our offering resonates with clients, far beyond what we initially anticipated.

"To elevate our brand and expand our reach, we underwent a rebrand earlier this year, transitioning from Rajani Bespoke to The Sartorial Shop. Although this was a necessary move, there are still a few details we aim to refine in 2025.

"Looking ahead, one of our longer-term goals includes expanding our atelier, especially to serve our international clients better. We also plan to intensify our efforts to educate people about what sets our brand apart.

"Everything about The Sartorial Shop is different, from our approach to customer experience to our commitment to quality.

MOVING INTO THE FUTURE

"In 2025, we will focus on building greater awareness of these distinctions. While we are eager to expand our reach, we will do so thoughtfully, ensuring every decision aligns with our vision and values.

"As we continue to grow, relationships remain at the heart of our success. We are fortunate to work with world-class fabric mills based in Europe, trusted local partners, and clients who have become our friends.

"My nearly two-decade executive career in real estate at Onni and the Redstone Group gave me invaluable experience and success "the corporate way." I excelled in that environment, but I eventually realized I needed to pursue something more personal and meaningful.

"At The Sartorial Shop, one principle remains non-negotiable: conducting business with authenticity and integrity.

"Luxury fashion often has a reputation for being unwelcoming. Most people have experienced walking into a store and receiving poor service for no apparent reason; it feels terrible.

"I can confidently say you will never experience that with us. You have my word. By keeping our experience human, elevated, and distinctly personal, we believe we will continue to set ourselves apart and achieve our goals."