Back in 2020, Anthony Blackmen, one of our long-term regulars came by to order a Navy suit for his daughter’s wedding. When we found out that he had previously ordered many suits with Bill Wong, the predecessor owner of Modernize Tailors, since the 1970’s, Mia Wu, the current Head of Modernize Tailors, approached him with the idea of a photoshoot, and asked if he would share his story and experience of the late legendary tailor and the past era of Modernize. When Anthony said yes, we were ecstatic. For Anthony, he took this as an opportunity to share his wisdom and experience of men’s fashion, and to learn more about how the different shapes and styles of a suit had changed over the many years since he first stepped foot into Modernize Tailors. This was his chance to learn about the new age of tailors. 

In 1975, at the age of 31, Trinidadian-born Anthony Blackman travelled from the metropolis city of Toronto, Ontario to the coastal shores of Vancouver, British Columbia. For his first 5 years on the West Coast, Anthony passionately pursued a life of music, playing as a musician in Vancouver neighbourhoods such as Gastown and East Hastings. Enriching the ‘70’s culture of the once famous Hogan’s Alley, Anthony enjoyed playing all sorts of music, including classical, rock & roll, jazz, and reggae. When he started up a family, Anthony transitioned into the laborious career of a longshoreman on the banks of the Vancouver waterfront, and applied himself as a skilled welder. Nowadays, Anthony lives a retired life on the North Shore as the main caretaker to his three lively grandchildren. In his spare time, he is still passionate about music and is constantly expanding his knowledge by taking up new languages to learn. 

“You guys make me feel like more than just a guy who likes to look at getting a suit made. I feel like a special customer. I really do.” He shared how overwhelmed and appreciative of us for reaching out to him because it made him understand how important he is to us. He also shared how grateful he was that he was able to bring his grandchildren along with him. I expressed to Anthony that we enjoy making connections with interesting people, and that we always appreciate working with our clients. 

“I really feel that appreciation, you know?” he said. “You can go anywhere and buy anything and no one would ever bat an eye at you. But, here, I feel like I belong. I’m not just some guy you made a suit for and then told me to go away. You guys aren’t forgetting about me. You still remember me. And that’s a big deal to me.”

While reveling in his esteem, I wanted to know how Anthony first came by Modernize Tailors. He explained to me that, when he initially arrived in Vancouver, he saw many people in the Black community with amazing suits. Through word-of-mouth, Anthony found out that these fashionable looks were coming out of Chinatown, and decided to visit our shop. Wanting to look better and dress better, Anthony met the Wong brothers, Bill and Jack, who were the predecessors of Modernize Tailors Inc. 

“They mostly only made trousers back then,” Anthony said. “I liked that, because I wasn’t the kind of guy to wear suits everyday. I’m still not - let alone frequently getting a custom suit made for me. I’m a once-in-a-while guy!” 

Anthony praised the Wong brothers for their part in distinguishing ‘70’s fashion in Vancouver. “Even though I am a once-in-a-while guy, Bill and Jack - much like you guys - cared about me. It feels good. It feels really good.” 

Since then, Anthony has come to us and gotten at least one suit made in every decade he has been on the West Coast. With such an appreciation for getting suits as a “once-in-a-while-guy,” I could not help but ask Anthony why it was important to him to wear these suits. 

“I worked as a welder,” he said, harkening back to his days as a longshoreman. “I didn’t have much need to wear a suit. A suit did not give me my job, and it did not propel me in any aspect of my career. But, when I wore it, every time I walked down the street, I always got compliments like: ‘You look so dapper!’And those compliments were very personal!” 

Nowadays, Anthony does not go out as often as he would like, therefore, not getting a chance to wear his suits as much. It is especially difficult during the climate of COVID-19. Still, he explained to me that his experience with Modernize Tailors led to developing his sense of style, and also helped dignify his lifestyle, which ultimately transcended into the inclusion of his grandchildren. 

“These compliments helped me achieve a personal elevation in my life. To me, looking good is feeling good. Not only that, but look at my grandchildren!” He was referring to the kids he had brought with him. “They were so excited to see me!” 

On the walls of the lobby hang several enlarged photos, some of which showcase Anthony in some of the garments we had created for him. Anthony’s grandchildren were delighted to see these pictures of their grandfather. 

“To them, this experience is going to be forever. They’re going to grow up and remember seeing those! The memory of their granddad up and about, and enjoying himself. Those memories are important.” 

I asked him if his grandchildren, seeing him with a sense of personal elevation, set a good foundation of what to look forward to when they grow up. Anthony responded, “I think life is personal. You can achieve; you can gain success - or whatever you want to call it - as far as money is concerned. But, I once saw a quote that went: There are a lot of people who are poor, and all they’ve got in life is money.” 

Upon reflecting, he continued, “People may have money, but that is why they are poor; because they have nothing else. They may be rich with money, but they are not rich in life. To be rich in life is to have family. It’s important to create relationships and build a community. That’s what can be foundational. And I think that’s what you guys have been doing. Modernize has been foundational, I think. You are creating a great community.” Anthony’s profound words and praises astounded me. 

“Modernize provides great quality, and you just can’t ask for more. You really can’t. And when you get serviced - what you guys are doing is ensuring this ‘family feeling’ with your customers. That’s just going beyond. That’s just giving me, the client, extra. And, besides the business part, you guys are very thoughtful.” 

Anthony recounts the first time he got a suit with Mia, the current Head of House, and Kristof, the senior tailor of Modernize. He recalls specifically being educated about the different types of measurements that are needed to create a suit. At first, Anthony questioned why Mia and Kristof kept asking him so many questions, and why they were taking so many measurements - measurements that he never would have ever considered and thought about. It was not until he received his first custom suit that Anthony immediately realized why all those questions and measurements were necessary. 

“It really showed me that you tailors were taking great care by thinking about me as an individual, as well as care for the quality of your craftsmanship. I was impressed with the result of my suit! That’s why I think this is why everyone should invest in custom.” Anthony understood that we at Modernize Tailors were ensuring that his suitings were not only constructed with a high standard of quality, but we were also ensuring that it was personalized to his liking. 

“A suit is personal. It is important that it’s personal because it’s important to be dressed well. I know that wearing my suits make me look good. You only have one life to live, so why not look good? It’s important!” 

Anthony has been a part of the Modernize community for the past 50 years, and is a humble yet charismatic man. His quiet, generous insight and dedication as a client and friend to the House is a part of what has made Modernize Tailors Inc. the way it is today.