Signature Tailoring x Swapin: Bringing made-to-measure to the Baltics
In 2025, Aivar Jefremov founded Signature Tailoring in Tallinn, Estonia. With an extensive background in tailoring, Jefremov was interested in how a well-tailored suit changes the posture, persona, and presence. Over the years, his international experience, having worked in London and with Italian craftsmen, allowed him to refine his knowledge on fabrics, fits, and constructions.
In this exclusive interview, Aivar Jefremov tells us why he chose Tallinn, Estonia as the Signature Tailoring headquarters and how their approach to made-to-measure tailoring involves a 1:1 meeting in person.
Behind the brand: The Signature Tailoring story
Q: Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to create Signature Tailoring
Aivar: My journey into tailoring began in 2017. What first attracted me to suits was not the garment itself, but its effect. A well-made suit changes posture, presence, and perception. It transforms how a man feels about himself, and how the world responds to him. It is not simply clothing; it is identity.
Over the years, I worked closely with Italian craftsmen and developed a deep understanding of construction, fabrics, and fit. My international experience, including several years in London, shaped my discipline, structure, and high standards of service.
Opening my own atelier was always a dream, a place where I could channel my appreciation for tailoring into something meaningful. In 2025, I founded Signature Tailoring in Tallinn, believing that the Baltics were ready for a more refined, discreet, and uncompromising approach to made-to-measure.
Q: What gap did you see in the market when you founded Signature Tailoring, and why was the Baltics ready for a specialist made-to-measure house?
Aivar: In the Baltics, there has traditionally been limited diversity in true luxury tailoring. Many clients would travel abroad to receive the level of service and craftsmanship they were looking for.
I saw an opportunity to bring that standard home, to make high-level tailoring accessible in our own city. Tallinn has a growing base of entrepreneurs, executives, and internationally minded professionals who value quality and understand presentation. The market was ready, it simply needed a specialist house dedicated entirely to made-to-measure excellence.
Q: Your design house specifically works with “made-to-measure”. How is that different from bespoke and off-the-rack?
Aivar: Bespoke is the highest level of tailoring. It is a deeply personal, time-intensive process, sometimes longer and more detailed than purchasing property. The result is extraordinary, but the time and investment reflect that.
Made-to-measure, which is our core offering, represents the perfect balance. Within 4–6 weeks, our clients receive a suit that is individually adjusted to their measurements and preferences, offering exceptional fit and refinement without the extended timeline of full bespoke. For those who seek something even more exclusive, we also offer fully handmade options.
Off-the-rack, on the other hand, refers to ready-made garments. The advantage is immediacy — a client can try on a piece and take it home the same day. However, no ready-made garment can fit perfectly without compromise. It is, by nature, a standardized solution.
Client expectations and behaviour
Q: What are the core requirements and expectations clients have when it comes to made-to-measure tailoring?
Aivar: A suit serves a purpose. It is not an expense — it is an investment.
Our clients expect more than fabric and stitching. They expect guidance, clarity, and an experience that respects their time. At Signature Tailoring, our goal is to provide an elegant introduction to the world of refined clothing, for individuals who understand the value of presentation and the power of first impressions.
Q: How do you see the made-to-measure segment evolving in Europe, especially the Baltics, compared to off-the-rack luxury?
Aivar: The made-to-measure segment has existed for decades in Europe and continues to grow. Today, more people understand the value of clothing that is constructed around their body rather than adapted to it.
Luxury ready-to-wear certainly has its place. However, there is a difference between visible luxury driven by logos and discreet luxury defined by craftsmanship. True connoisseurs look beyond branding — they look at the fabric mill, whether it is Loro Piana or Holland & Sherry, and the construction behind the garment.
Made-to-measure speaks to a more informed client — someone who values substance over display.
Q: What type of clients would you suggest should opt for a made-to-measure suit compared to an off-the-rack?
Aivar: Anyone who wants to look and feel at their absolute best should consider made-to-measure. It is for individuals who value precision, individuality, and confidence in their appearance.
Read more: How crypto payment providers simplify luxury business needs
First specialist made-to-measure boutique in the baltics
Q: You’re one of the first made-to-measure boutiques in the Baltics. How does it reflect in your day-to-day operations and long-term goals?
Aivar: While we are not the only atelier in the region, made-to-measure remains a niche and not fully understood industry. Most people are used to walking into a store, trying something on, and deciding immediately.
Our approach is different. We focus less on “trying” and more on understanding — the client’s lifestyle, objectives, preferred silhouette, and fabric selection. Every garment is created with intention. This requires deeper consultation and a more individualized process.
Q: Why did you design the experience around in-person one-to-one consultations, especially when today’s quick fashion is shifting online?
Aivar: Clothing cannot be fully understood through a screen. Texture, weight, color nuance — even the best photography slightly distorts reality.
Signature Tailoring is built around individuality. What could be more personal than a signature? Each garment becomes part of a client’s signature look. That level of detail and precision requires in-person dialogue, measurement, and fabric selection.
Q: How would you describe designer tailoring across Europe?
Aivar: Europe has long been the global leader in tailoring and style. What stands out most is that clients often struggle to articulate exactly what they want, yet they recognize quality when they see it. Our role is to interpret that unspoken expectation and deliver a result that feels natural, effortless, and refined.
Accepting crypto payments
Q: What initially made you consider offering crypto payments to your clients?
Aivar: Tallinn has a strong technology and startup ecosystem. Many of our clients come from innovative industries and are digitally fluent.
In today’s world, flexibility is part of luxury service. Offering crypto payments was a natural extension of our commitment to client convenience.
Q: How does crypto fit into the expectations of your international or high-net-worth clientele?
Aivar: Some clients prefer traditional card payments. Others operate within digital asset environments.
Even those who do not use crypto appreciate that we accept it. It signals adaptability and forward-thinking. Small details matter in luxury — and providing additional payment flexibility strengthens trust.
Q: How did you come across Swapin and how did it address your concerns?
Aivar: I was introduced to the team and learned how their solution works. What stood out was the simplicity and compliance structure behind it.
The ability to accept crypto while settling in fiat reduces volatility concerns and ensures operational clarity. It allowed us to integrate digital payments without compromising financial stability.
Future plans for Signature Tailoring
Q: How do you see Signature Tailoring evolving over the next five to ten years?
Aivar: Our immediate priority is to establish a strong and lasting presence in Tallinn and ensure local entrepreneurs and professionals feel confident that world-class tailoring is available in their own city. Beyond that, we remain open to strategic expansion.
Q: Are there any specific markets you’re aiming to reach?
Aivar: There are interesting opportunities internationally, but our current focus is strengthening our position in Tallinn and building a solid foundation.
Q: Are there any operational changes you’re planning?
Aivar: As we grow, certain structural adjustments will naturally be implemented. However, we are already building systems with scalability in mind, ensuring future growth can happen smoothly and sustainably.
Build and scale your business with Swapin
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Want to know more on how Swapin fits your business needs? Reach out and speak with an expert to get started.
