MULTIMEDIA PIECES
Custom Clothier
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A man walks out of Giorgio Men's Warehouse carrying two mannequins, one in each arm, both dressed as if they are headed to a gala. He sets them in the storefront's glass showroom, adjusting collars and straightening pocket squares before placing them to face passers-by hastily heading home after work.
One by one, the crowd of mannequins evolves into a group of well-dressed friends standing around having a conversation. Oscar Buchanan, 52, a sales consultant at Giorgio Men's Warehouse and a custom clothier with more than 30 years of |
experience in fashion merchandising, connects on a personal level with his clients and considers each of them friends.
No matter who the clients are or whether they even make a purchase, Buchanan strives to provide whatever service they need.
"Each and every sale is distinctively about you," Buchanan explains. "Whether it's a pair of socks or McCallie School is buying 150 tuxedos, you will get the same attention from me."
That perspective landed Buchanan in the 1999 comedy issue of GQ. After losing luggage at the airport, Comedian Bernie Mac went to a local mall searching for a suit to wear on the Kings of Comedy tour.
Intimidated by Mac's stardom, several businessmen at the mall referred Mac to Buchanan. Because Mac was so impressed with Buchanan's work, GQ included a story on Buchanan along with its Kings of Comedy article.
"I want to go over and beyond just the store," Buchanan says. " I want my guys in this city to get noticed."
Buchanan takes his gift further by going to the houses or offices of athletes, pastors and businessmen to custom-organize their wardrobes. Buchanan lays out outfits, color-coordinating and tying bow ties, preparing his clients for events they may attend over the course of a month. These men hire Buchanan to save them time previously spent choosing appropriate outfits, freeing them to relax with their families or work on more strenuous matters.
Buchanan also speaks at local schools about the importance of dress and can pair a client with a suit without even asking for a size.
"I paint a picture," Buchanan says. "And once the picture is painted, then you make up your mind whether it should hang in your home."
No matter who the clients are or whether they even make a purchase, Buchanan strives to provide whatever service they need.
"Each and every sale is distinctively about you," Buchanan explains. "Whether it's a pair of socks or McCallie School is buying 150 tuxedos, you will get the same attention from me."
That perspective landed Buchanan in the 1999 comedy issue of GQ. After losing luggage at the airport, Comedian Bernie Mac went to a local mall searching for a suit to wear on the Kings of Comedy tour.
Intimidated by Mac's stardom, several businessmen at the mall referred Mac to Buchanan. Because Mac was so impressed with Buchanan's work, GQ included a story on Buchanan along with its Kings of Comedy article.
"I want to go over and beyond just the store," Buchanan says. " I want my guys in this city to get noticed."
Buchanan takes his gift further by going to the houses or offices of athletes, pastors and businessmen to custom-organize their wardrobes. Buchanan lays out outfits, color-coordinating and tying bow ties, preparing his clients for events they may attend over the course of a month. These men hire Buchanan to save them time previously spent choosing appropriate outfits, freeing them to relax with their families or work on more strenuous matters.
Buchanan also speaks at local schools about the importance of dress and can pair a client with a suit without even asking for a size.
"I paint a picture," Buchanan says. "And once the picture is painted, then you make up your mind whether it should hang in your home."
Guffey Saddlery
As the sun begins to set over the North Georgia mountains, gravel crunches under Matthew Guffey's feet as he walks toward the workshop behind his childhood home. He opens the metal door and reaches over to flip on a light switch, illuminating tables made of two-by-fours blanked by piles of tools and boxes.
Electrician by day, saddle maker by night, Matthew Guffey, 37, of Trenton, Ga., is part of a dying breed.
"There's not a whole lot of people who do it," said Guffey. "The people who do ... they take pride in their work."
Saddle making is a family tradition for Guffey. His parents, James and Betty Guffey, started their business after working with other saddle makers in the Chattanooga area, including American Saddler and Lookout Saddle Co. until 1984.
Betty Guffey started sewing just to earn some extra money. She enjoyed sewing and learned that saddle making was just sewing with a larger needle.
"It first started out we were just making the stirrups," Matthew Guffey said. "From there we went to making the breast collars, which actually tie the saddle to the horse, and then hired people that knew how to build saddles."
Guffey, one of three children, was the only one who learned how to build a saddle. While not an avid rider himself, Guffey finds pleasure in the challenge of working with his hands. Each time he learns something new.
"It's just the way the leather works. You'll work it this way one time, and the next time it would work that way," said Guffey. "You've got to constantly use your mind to figure out how to work that leather."
With a last pop of the stable gun securing the horn of the tree of the saddle, Guffey finishes work for the night. He closes up the shop and heads back across the gravel toward his house.
Electrician by day, saddle maker by night, Matthew Guffey, 37, of Trenton, Ga., is part of a dying breed.
"There's not a whole lot of people who do it," said Guffey. "The people who do ... they take pride in their work."
Saddle making is a family tradition for Guffey. His parents, James and Betty Guffey, started their business after working with other saddle makers in the Chattanooga area, including American Saddler and Lookout Saddle Co. until 1984.
Betty Guffey started sewing just to earn some extra money. She enjoyed sewing and learned that saddle making was just sewing with a larger needle.
"It first started out we were just making the stirrups," Matthew Guffey said. "From there we went to making the breast collars, which actually tie the saddle to the horse, and then hired people that knew how to build saddles."
Guffey, one of three children, was the only one who learned how to build a saddle. While not an avid rider himself, Guffey finds pleasure in the challenge of working with his hands. Each time he learns something new.
"It's just the way the leather works. You'll work it this way one time, and the next time it would work that way," said Guffey. "You've got to constantly use your mind to figure out how to work that leather."
With a last pop of the stable gun securing the horn of the tree of the saddle, Guffey finishes work for the night. He closes up the shop and heads back across the gravel toward his house.
Guffey Saddlery Audio
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