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“My father, Herbert Farrell, began his tailoring career with Joseph Monaghan (a famous bespoke tailor to the gentry of the time) in the 1960s. He set up his own alterations businesses in 1971 on Capel Street and then on Mary Street. The shops soon became well known for clothing alterations to the city’s menswear boutiques and department stores like Roches Stores and Arnotts.
“He was even chosen by the Irish football team in 1994 for the World Cup in the USA. He had to fit all the players, coaches and his favourite football manager of all time, Jack Charlton – the photos adorn the shop walls today and evoke great memories for our customers.
“The business moved to Blanchardstown Village in 2005, CT2 Suits or “The City Tailor 2” was born. Initially, it was mostly top hats, tails and frock coats but as the lounge suit gained popularity, weddings became much more stylish events. Herbert is still involved in the day-to-day running of the business at the age of 77!”
“In 2009, I joined the family business with a view to continuing what had already been built by my parents. My professional background was that of a PA based in London, and when I decided to return home to Ireland, the family business seemed a like good place to start. I have developed a passion for it now and it’s more like a baby than a business!
“I built on the core values and knowledge passed down by my parents and we are currently digitizing the business to provide a more efficient operation overall. I wanted to embrace change by listening to what our clients want, looking to the future of technology in fashion and moving the business towards sustainability without compromising on customer service or quality. Our amazing team works so hard and takes pride in practising the best service that we can give daily.”
“CT2 specialises in wedding and occasion wear. We strive to represent what people want now and in the future by providing a diverse range of quality suits with an inclusive vision of fashion for all ages. In 2020, we introduced an app called Sizer which measures grooms or groomsmen in their own homes using only their phones. When shops were closed in 2020/2021 we were able to continue delivering suits to couples getting married. They were able to use Sizer to try them on at home and plan for their upcoming weddings in a time of uncertainty.
“We won an award for this and for being among the first to introduce AI in the Irish fashion industry. We still use the app today for grooms and groomsmen travelling from overseas, and when they arrive in Dublin our expert tailors will tailor each garment for them perfectly.”
“My favourite part of the role is the relationships that we have built over the years with the local community. Even though we can be busy at times, we always make the time to chat and find out about their life events, whether that is sharing in their excitement or providing whatever support is needed where necessary on sad occasions. We try to make sure that everyone feels like the best version of themselves when they leave the store.”
“I think with weddings you have to keep it classic, going too ‘out there’ with certain trends will just look dated in time. That being said, I would opt for:
Feature image by Wonder & Magic