We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fiati Adadevoh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fiati below.

Fiati, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

It all started in 2014 while I was preparing for my own wedding, which was set for October 17, 2015. Like any groom-to-be, I was looking for the perfect suit, something that was not just formal but personal. I wanted a suit that would represent me: my style, my personality, my story. I visited several custom suit stores, hoping to find something unique, well-stitched, and made from intricate, high-quality fabrics. But I kept hitting the same wall, everything I loved was priced at $5,000 or more. And even then, the designs felt basic: standard fused suits with minor variations like notch, shawl, or peak lapels. There was no real originality or soul behind them, just expensive price tags.
Around the same time, one of my close friends was getting married and asked me to be one of his groomsmen. He found a place in Toronto that offered suits for $600, which sounded like a great deal compared to what I had seen. But it took over two months to receive the suits, and when we finally got them, it was clear they weren’t truly custom. They were just off-the-rack suits with minor adjustments. The fit was off, I had to get several alterations, and by the time I was done, the shape of the suit was completely changed. To make matters worse, the fabric was low-grade polyester, and since it was a summer wedding, we were all drenched in sweat. It was uncomfortable and disappointing.
That was the moment the idea for FIATI really clicked. I realized there was a serious gap in the market; there were people like me who wanted high-quality, unique, custom-designed suits that were actually affordable. Not off-the-rack, not overpriced, but truly tailored and made with intention.
Unfortunately, my wedding was canceled the following year, but I took that setback and channeled it into research. I started looking for clothier training programs, specifically ones led by master tailors and connected to manufacturers. That search eventually took me all the way to Bulgaria. I spent a week and a half there beginning my training, then continued the rest of my education via Skype. Four days a week, I was waking up at 4:00 AM Eastern time to train with my mentor and translator. It was intense, but I was committed.
Around that same time, a good friend of mine who was also a business owner started mentoring me through the process of registering my business and laying the foundation. Step by step, I learned how to set things up from sourcing to design to building relationships with fabric vendors and manufacturers.
By 2017, everything came together. We officially launched FIATI. What started as a personal frustration with the suit-buying process turned into a purpose-driven brand. A brand for people who want to feel like their clothes represent them, without needing to spend a fortune.
That’s how FIATI was born. From idea to execution, it was driven by passion, problem-solving, and a lot of early mornings.

Fiati, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Absolutely. For those who may not have heard of me or FIATI before, my name is Fiati Adadevoh, and I’m the founder and creative lead behind FIATI, a Maryland-based custom and ready-to-wear suit brand rooted in storytelling, culture, and self-expression. My journey into the fashion industry wasn’t traditional, but it was intentional. I didn’t set out to become a designer. It started with a personal experience my own wedding planning, where I realized there was a real gap in the market for men like me who wanted high-quality, unique, and affordable suits that actually reflected their personalities.
At FIATI, we design and create custom suits and ready-to-wear garments that are more than just clothes; they’re an extension of who you are. Our suits are made for the individual who values both style and substance. The brand is retroactive, pulling influence from timeless designs going back 50 to 60 years. We draw from eras when tailoring was an art, when style was intentional, and when getting dressed was an experience. FIATI is dandyism, culture, class, statement, personality, and character all wrapped in one.
Our work isn’t just about fashion, it’s about helping people tell their stories through what they wear. Whether it’s a groom who wants to stand out on his wedding day, a professional looking to elevate their image, or someone simply wanting to own their presence, we offer tailored pieces that help clients feel confident, bold, and seen. Each garment is made with care and intention, with access to unique fabrics and design details that set us apart from your average suit shop.
What makes FIATI different is the experience we create. We listen. We collaborate. We care about fit, fabric, and function just as much as we care about design and expression. I was once a customer who couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I built a brand that could fill that void. I understand the frustrations that come with generic suits that don’t quite fit or reflect who you are, and that’s exactly the problem we solve. We believe custom fashion shouldn’t be out of reach.
What I’m most proud of is staying committed to quality and integrity from the start. FIATI isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about making you feel like the best version of yourself every time you wear one of our suits. And we’re doing that while celebrating Black ownership, cultural pride, and craftsmanship in an industry that often overlooks all three.
For potential clients, followers, or supporters, FIATI is for you. It’s for people who want more than clothes. It’s for those who want to stand out with intention. When you wear FIATI, you’re not just wearing a suit, you’re wearing a story.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding FIATI was a real test of resourcefulness and belief. My initial investment was $10,000, which I had saved from working full-time. I used that money strategically; I knew I didn’t have much room for error. The first thing I did was order 25 master garments, which I needed to take accurate measurements for clients. I also bought fabric swatches, measuring tapes, suit forms, suit bags, and a few sample suits that could showcase the level of quality and detail we were offering.
Once I had the tools, I quickly realized that branding and promotion were just as important, but I had run out of money. That’s when I started getting creative. I offered to make a few suits for models at a steep discount, just to build my portfolio and get some visual content for the brand.
One of the people who helped make that happen was my very good friend and former colleague, Joel. He actually became my first client. Joel is 6’6″, and he had never worn a custom suit before. Finding clothes off the rack was always a nightmare for him. I offered to make him a custom suit at a 60% discount, and in return, he agreed to participate in our first photoshoot. Joel also helped me find the studio, which happened to be owned by a friend of his. All I had to do was pay for the studio rental, and I made that happen.
When Joel received his suit, he told me the experience was life-changing. He had never had a suit that truly fit him before, and to see his reaction was a reminder of why I was doing this in the first place.
I organized and directed the entire photoshoot myself. My girlfriend at the time recorded all the behind-the-scenes footage and took care of editing all the pictures and videos. My cousin, who’s a sound engineer, created the music we used for the video content.
That’s how we launched, built on savings, support, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork. We didn’t have a huge budget, but we had vision and people who believed in it. And that made all the difference.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has definitely been word of mouth. From the very beginning, my business has thrived because people had a memorable, personal experience with FIATI, and they shared that experience with others. Whether it was a groom blown away by how his wedding suit fit and felt, or someone who had never worn a custom suit before and couldn’t believe how confident they felt in it, those moments turned into referrals.
I’ve found that when you focus on quality, care, and truly listening to your clients, they naturally become your best advocates. People trust recommendations from friends and family more than any ad or campaign, especially when it comes to something as personal as what they wear. Every satisfied client who shared a photo, told a story, or mentioned my name in a conversation helped grow the brand in ways that marketing dollars can’t always match.
That’s why I put so much attention into the experience, because when the experience is excellent, people talk. And when they talk, new doors open.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fiati.co
• Instagram: @fiati.co
• Facebook: @fiati.co
• Twitter: @fiati_co