The client only has to visit the store once for a body scan and the advice of a fashion consultant. The rest takes place on the Internet site. Like choosing the fabrics - samples are being mailed - and determining the model. The suit is ready within 15 working days.

Five year ago Bas Possen (30) had to make a decision: going to San Francisco for PricewaterhouseCoopers or carrying out the plan in which he strongly believed. Breathe new life into the tailor profession by innovative techniques. He came to the idea when he saw a body scan: a device that is able to take the measurements of a person within a few seconds. He thought: if you combine this with the 'emotion, the touching and the trying-on' of the tailor, you can supply high quality made-to-measure clothing against competitive prices. In addition he wanted to change the way of communicating and selling: the biggest part would be done through the Internet. In the beginning Possen was being laughed at by Internet experts - he did not understand anything about the future - but today these experts do appreciate his approach. His approach is quite simple: The client only has to visit the store once for a body scan and the advice of a fashion consultant. The rest takes place on the Internet site. Like choosing the fabrics - samples are being mailed - and determining the model. The suit is ready within 15 working days. So much faster than with the usual tailor. A basic suit costs 850 Dutch Guilders. Depending of the fabric, the price can run up to 2200 Dutch Guilders. Whether he is busy? Possen: "We still have to fight for every client, but 90% will order a second suit." His expectations? "A digitalized chain of one of the most traditional businesses. We still have to fight against the anti Internet hype, but I do believe that our way of making clothing has good prospects. Within five to ten years, ready-made clothing as we know it these days will no longer exist."