Behind the Seams with Mike Faherty
I’ve always been drawn to making things. As a little kid, I would spend hours at the beach building ornate sand castles. Every detail mattered. I would obsess over the depth of the moat, the amount of drips on the roof, and how many tunnels went through the castle. Then in elementary school, it was the same thing with art classes. Whether it was painting, ceramics, or wood shop, I just loved to craft stuff with my hands.
In high school, I really began to understand my unique kinship with clothing. It was then that I started to dream up this clothing company and wrote my college essay about a clothing company I was gonna create called Coast to Curb. It would combine everything I love about the beach and outdoors, but would have really great materials and could seamlessly work for anyone who lived in a city. In college, I was able to major in fashion design. This allowed me to spend countless hours in the studio sketching, pattern-making, cutting fabric, and sewing garments. Then I spent almost a decade working for Ralph Lauren and had the opportunity to work with my hands creating fabrics and designs.
Every day since starting Faherty in 2012, I’ve been that same little kid addicted to making things. I get to build and craft clothing with an amazing team and for truly amazing people.
When I begin to dream up a new Faherty product, it’s always about creating a garment that I wish I had, or I can tell is missing in the world. When we start to create the fabric, technical specs, and production manual, it’s always from scratch. And most importantly, it’s always with the intention of creating the best possible product. The fabric mills that I partner with are an extension of my own team here in NYC. I’m always searching for fabric mills that can do innovative fabric development. They have the capability to do anything and enjoy the challenges that come with new fabric recipes.
The Legend™ Sweater Shirt is probably the most unique fabric we’ve ever created. It is definitely the softest fabric we’ve ever made and it might just be the softest fabric in the whole entire world. To make a world-class fabric takes world-class engineers and technicians who are obsessed with craftsmanship. Halfway across the world, in the wonderful city of Istanbul, I found a city and country full of people who share my same passion for making the highest quality products. The people today still embody the craftsmanship of their ancestors. About an hour outside of the bustling bazaars of Istanbul are a few family-run fabric mills and garment factories that make the Legend Sweater Shirt for us.
A few months back I hopped on the 9-hour flight and spent a week working on our newest collection for Fall. Being a part of crafting each and every one of our products is the best part of my job. And being on the factory floor side-by-side with the engineers inspecting every roll of fabric, sitting with a tailor, and working through the intricacies of sewing a collar is a great day at the office. It was an awesome trip that allowed me to build closer bonds with our partners in Istanbul, who wake up every day and bring the same passion to every Faherty product. Hopefully, you feel their passion and dedication when you try on our clothes. I was able to spend a few afternoons, wandering around the magical city where “East meets West,” touring a few iconic buildings, feeling like a local at some fun cafés and bars, and eating memorable meals in arguably the world’s best food city.
We made a little film about the trip, so check out the link below. I hope you all have a great fall, and try to go on a new adventure. If you haven’t been there yet, put Istanbul on your travel list. It’s a trip that will not disappoint.
— Mike Faherty, Co-Founder and Creative Director
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