If there’s one thing the GRAZIA team has come to discover about the UAE, it’s that we love all things bespoke. Whether it’s a dining experience, a unique luxury offering, an exclusive fine jewellery piece, or a rare handbag. The list goes on… And this certainly rings true for the art of tailored clothing.

It was around eight years ago that a gap for such a thing was noticed in the UAE market by Calvin Smith and Ryan Smith, who are now the co-founders and the co-managing directors of Suited & Booted, which they launched in 2017 with the mission “to build the best tailoring house in the world”, as Calvin tells GRAZIA.

Initially specialising in men’s suiting, Suited & Booted has not only expanded in its offering, but its reach. With two boutiques in the UAE – one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai – and an expansive team, the bespoke tailoring house now covers womenswear, casual suiting, tuxedos and weddings.

In this edition of the GRAZIA career edit, discover more about the building of the UAE-based tailoring house over the last eight years and what goes into creating a bespoke business in the Middle East.

My current role is…

RS Managing Director, Suited & Booted

CS: Managing Director, Suited & Booted

When I was younger, I wanted to be…

RS: I actually wanted to work in a suit. Growing up, I had an uncle who drove a classic Jaguar and was always in a suit – I always associated wearing a suit with success.

CS: When I was younger, I didn’t have a fixed idea of what I wanted to become – only a strong drive to achieve and succeed, whatever path that might take me on.

My favourite subject at school was…

RS: PE – sitting still has never been my thing.

CS: History – it was the one subject that I found genuinely interesting and engaging.

My first job was…

RS: I started out sweeping hair in my Mum’s barber shop, which was my first real taste of work life.

CS: My first job was with HMRC – a very different start compared to where I am now.

My career path so far has been…

RS: My background is in sales; I moved to Dubai at 21 and by the age of 24 had founded a tailoring business that has grown into what Suited & Booted is today.

CS: I built my career in luxury sales, developing a deep understanding of premium clients and the standards expected in the high-end market.

The role the UAE has played in my career is…

CS: The UAE’s business culture is truly unique, the network and community we’ve built here have been integral to the journey and growth of the brand so far.

RS: The UAE is a place that cultivates success, where people genuinely want to see one another win. It’s a country that can transform your life in ways you never thought possible.

The story of Suited and Booted is…

RS: In 2018, I identified a clear gap in the market here in Dubai for premium bespoke tailoring with an elevated experience, and that’s when the idea for Suited & Booted was born.

CS: From the moment we went into business together, our vision has always been the same – to build the best tailoring house in the world.

I was inspired to enter into the fashion space because…

CS: My interest in both business and clothing naturally led me to combine the two through an entrepreneurial venture in fashion.

RS: I’ve always been drawn to the power of dressing well, and quickly recognised the opportunity to channel that passion into building a business that helps others feel the same confidence and boost that comes from looking sharp.

My daily routine consists of…

CS: We have a number of major projects currently in motion, so each day is completely different – the constant always remains a focus on how we are driving the business forward.

RS: Every day is dedicated to building Suited & Booted to be the leading bespoke tailoring brand in the world.

My role at Suited and Booted entails…

RS: My role is really focused on the customer journey – making sure every client feels at home with us and leaves not just with a suit, but with an experience they’ll remember.

CS: A key part of my role is ensuring the product delivers on every level – from sourcing world-class fabrics and refining our tailoring standards, to continuously evolving our range in line with our clients’ needs.

The biggest hurdle I have experienced in my career…

RS: In the early days, the biggest hurdle to overcome was building a company from scratch with no capital and no formal business background.

CS: The most significant challenge so far has been in the expansion of the brand, as anyone who has scaled a business knows, it brings immense responsibility and complexity.

The biggest milestone I have achieved is…

CS: A defining milestone has been our global expansion, particularly taking Suited & Booted back to Scotland – bringing the brand home last year was a proud moment.

RS: What began as a start-up has quickly evolved into a market-leading brand, and it’s been really amazing to see Suited & Booted gain recognition well beyond our home market.

A quote I live by is…

RS: The Latin phrase “Facta non verba”, which translates to “Deeds not Words”

CS: “The best is yet to come”.

What I hope for 2025 is…

RS: We have a number of very exciting things in the works, all to be revealed very soon.

CS: I’m excited to welcome our healthy baby boy in December.