Alan Rouleau/Couture in Boston, MA | Designer Apparel

Alan Rouleau/Couture
One block from the Ritz-Carlton in the heart of downtown Boston, you'll find the establishment of Alan Rouleau Couturier. The rear of the showroom houses the office and tailor shop where customers may view the skilled craftsmen at work. Alan Rouleau currently employs four full-time and three part-time tailors.
All of Rouleau's suits are edge stitched on the lapels and pockets, have hand-felled waistbands and real sleeve holes are cut by hand. He doesn't own a button hole machine. Chest pieces are all of soft construction.
Custom shirts comprise another significant portion of Rouleau's business. He has designed four leather bound books trimmed with gold leaf to display shirting fabrics. Heavy duty photo pages demonstrate the finished products. Aside from their line of fine custom shirts which retail from $75 and up, bench made shirts begin at $350.
Rouleau's client base is principally from the northeast, although one of his major clients lives in Florida most of the year. Rouleau relates, "On occasion, we will have a walk-in client from another part of the country. As a rule, I prefer to turn the lead over to another reputable CTDA member, unless the customer insists."
Their new business is derived primarily from their existing customer base. "If you have a satisfied customer and he brings you one new customer a year, you have doubled your business. That has always been our philosophy," Rouleau emphasizes. "Our sales approach is basically a non-sales approach. After 10 years, you develop an instinct for the customer. Reputation, a great product and service sell. We have not made a single cold call since opening our doors. Instead, we spend all of our time ensuring that our customer enjoys the best service possible.We are not interested in doing just one suit. We endeavor to do all of their wardrobe that can possibly be custom made. Then after we make their clothes, we help them take care of them."