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Dedicated to the axiom that "the customer is always right," founder Nick Esposito along with his two sons, Nicholas, Jr. and Jeff, cater to an international clientele in this successful 15-year-old establishment. Moda Georgio is ideally situated in a kiosk-type structure at 2414 E. Camelback Rd. in the Biltmore Fashion Park, a lovely outdoor mall setting featuring many trees, flowering plants and shrubs at the intersection of the two most heavily traveled roads in Phoenix- 24th Street and Camelback. Set amid many of the nation's most prestigious retailers, gorgeous hotels, office complexes and golf courses, it is a mere 12 minutes away from the Phoenix airport, close to the Arizona Biltmore and the luxurious Phoenician Hotels and directly across the street from the Ritz Carlton. An East coast native, Nick Esposito originally owned two full line men's stores in both Deal and Spring Lake, N.J. for ten years before making the move to Arizona in 1979. He relates, "Actually, I started out with a master's degree and 13 years experience in education, but the clothing business really captured my imagination. The Deal store could be characterized as high fashion, while the Spring Lake store carried more traditional lines, so between the two, I became very familiar with all levels of ready-mades." Once the decision was made to make the move to the Valley of the Sun, Esposito determined that the Biltmore Fashion Park location and his expertise were well suited to the custom clothing market. He set out to design an environment that was as elegant as the custom shirts and made-to-measure garments he offers. Opening his doors at the present location in 1982 and occupying 550 square feet of space, Moda Georgio's sales area is 20 feet by 20 feet. Surrounded on three sides by walnut stained French doors, giving it a "see through" feel, there is one exterior bay window, approximately 4 feet by 5 feet. The fourth wall of the store is mirrored and thus, the combination makes the space seem much larger. Storage space is efficiently built in, enabling Moda Georgio to carry a wide array of merchandise while retaining its intimate atmosphere. The interior is handsomely carpeted in charcoal grey and accented with soft pale grey fixtures throughout. Glass cubicles feature both ready-made dress and golf shirts, and Moda Georgio's collection of 300+ ties is displayed in a colorful, inviting manner. There are five-to-seven pull-out neckwear drawers to add 200-300 more ties to Moda Georgio's total assortment. A small card table and chairs are available for patrons to sit and look at the shirting fabrics (400+) displayed on 5 by 7 swatch cards in three mahogany boxes. Bolts of suiting, sport coat and slack fabrics are neatly stacked atop a large pant rack situated in the center of the store that holds 200 fine quality, ready-made slacks in wool, gabardine and crepe. Style books from their various wholesale tailoring suppliers are readily at hand and a number of sample books with fabrics from the finest mills in the world are housed in a handsome wall unit. About a dozen navy blazers, both single- and double-breasted, in a range of sizes are available as try-ons to assist in taking measurements for custom clothes. Also, hanging throughout the showroom are custom made pieces for customer fittings and for displaying the fine workmanship of Moda Georgio's garments. Some ready-made shirts in basic white, blue and pink are carried in stock because as Esposito says, "There are some guys who cannot wait to have their shirts custom made! Accessories are displayed attractively throughout the sales space. These include cuff links, imported tuxedo shirts, scarves, shoe samples, socks, ascots, rare skin belts, cotton plush robes, bow ties, expensive leather wallets, formalwear items, cummerbund sets and even luggage samples. A video demonstrating custom shirts in production is visible to passersby 12 hours a day. Originally making his name as a custom shirt maker, Esposito shows 500 fine cotton fabrics imported from Italy and Switzerland, but he is quick to point out that all the work is done in the United States. Shirts range in price from $80 - $240. A long, narrow table holds about 25 rolls of the most expensive shirting fabrics for customer "feeling" and for actual cutting, as well. The client has a complete choice of construction (fused or non-fused) and style. |
We do not work from pre-patterned collars. We are happy to cut a special pattern if need be, and the patron can add even the smallest detail. We will accommodate him if at all possible. All cutting is done by hand; our collars are turned by hand as well. We also offer hand monogramming." Esposito continues, "If there is a better way to make a shirt, I want to know. I'll be delighted to adapt-no matter what the cost. We will make a single shirt if necessary to introduce our fine craftsmanship to a first-time client." Although custom shirts remain the "backbone" of their business, within the past four to five years, custom suits have become Moda Georgio's fastest growing department. They also carry a specialty garment due in large part to the extreme heat in Phoenix in the summer. It is a half-lined sports coat which is substantially lighter in weight and also very appropriate for casual Friday dressing. Their suits begin at $750 and go upwards of $2000; sports coats from $500 to $2000 and slacks from $225 - $700. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted and a 50% deposit is requested at the time the order is placed. Typical Moda Georgio's customers are anywhere from 25 to 60 years of age and generally, are upper income businessmen and corporate executives, including a number of Fortune 500 CEOs. Esposito counts among his satisfied patrons a variety of entertainers, coaches, owners and athletes associated with professional sports teams, many of whom cannot find satisfactory ready-mades or the exact detailing they want in their sizes.
Alterations are done off premises, always within two to three days. Esposito employs several part-time tailors for different purposes. There is no limit to the sourcing the Espositos will do to insure that they are carrying the best quality goods available internationally. Nick, Sr. regularly travels to Europe spending time checking out fashion and fabric sources. In fact, as a testimony to Moda Georgio's reputation, they have some customers in England for whom they make custom shirts and suits. Moda Georgio has at least 15 to 20 customers in Europe who visit or call to renew orders. A retailer there was so impressed with their workmanship that he is interested in importing some ready-mades from the Espositos to sell to his native English customers. Esposito states, "Our business has become international in large part because people from all over the world come through Phoenix at one time or another. If they stop in, there's a good chance they'll become a permanent customer. Our motto is 'just try one and you'll be with us forever.'" He also travels to New York City five times a year to see clients. He continues, "We really don't do much prospecting or advertising per se. We get referrals, or on occasion, customers will send us a shirt to copy." "Once a year in July, we schedule a small mailing- a twofold with fabric samples to our existing shirt customers- if we ever made a shirt for you, you will receive one. Because of this promotion and our 20 percent reduction on all shirts for the entire month, July has become our best business month of the year." "We have expanded our catalog to include slacks, shoes, polo knits, formal accessories, belts, blazers and ties. Also, several times during the year, charitable organizations solicit gift certificates, which we happily contribute. We find this to be marvelous publicity and invariably leads to new business." Since opening in Phoenix, Moda Georgio's sales have increased three times over their first year's gross. They are actively serving 3,000 clients from the United States and Europe- no small accomplishment for this exclusive, family operated enterprise doing business in one of the most picturesque environments in the country. To view this article in its original form as published in Made to Measure Magazine. |
Located in the heart of
Phoenix, Arizona's premier shopping district, Moda Georgio provides a full range of custom shirts and clothing-
also accessories- to its upscale patrons.
"Service is what
we sell," relates Esposito. "My sons and I are knowledgeable about the business and our patrons can be
assured of personal service from the firm's principals at all times. We are especially resourceful when it comes
to special ordering. Twenty eight years of experience has allowed me to build many lines in my files. If you are
not satisfied with the finished product, we'll take it back for a full refund- not just credit. In an age when
there are never enough clerks, or if there are, they are unfamiliar with the merchandise, my two sons and I are
always on hand with our undivided attention and expertise."
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MODA GEORGIO CUSTOM CLOTHING3168 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
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