Nestled behind historic sandstone facades, businesses like LUC, Fico, Etica, and Alma Supplies line the bottom of Macquarie Street, making it the ultimate destination for those seeking high-quality, luxury brands, innovative cuisine, and well-made products.
It’s time to suit up as today’s destination is another specialty store, Sullivan’s Tailors – a made-to-measure men’s tailor and clothier.
The Hello Hobart team met with Adam and Sophie, the duo behind Hobart’s own bespoke tailors.
Adam, like many young Tasmanians, initially left the Apple Isle for opportunities on the ‘mainland’. He started his career in retail and eventually found his passion in tailoring, where he learned the tricks of the trade.
“Like lots of young people here, I couldn’t wait to get out of Tassie but found myself coming back. A lot of Tasmanians leave, learn a skill, and then bring it back here.”
Sophie, originally from Queensland, was working in retail management in Melbourne when she met Adam. Combining their love for high-quality clothing and fashion, the pair moved back to Tassie, wanting to close the gap in the Tasmanian market for made-to-measure tailoring.
With a passion for helping customers find their unique style, they wanted to create a space to help men understand how to dress better and build a wardrobe that favours quality over quantity.
“We started out by going to the homes and offices of friends and family and built up a bit of momentum, then we opened up the shop three years later.”
Heavily influenced by the effortless Italian Neapolitan style and iconic Italian craftmanship, Sullivan’s uses fabrics that are designed to be soft and lightweight. Adam’s intention was to bring the nonchalant but sophisticated Italian style to Hobart.
“Nobody else here does made-to-measure to the extent that we do. We offer fully customisable fabrics created and milled in Italy and the UK, who have such a deep history of it in places like Savile Row [in London] where they’re milling on their original looms and using the same suppliers.”
The high-end menswear scene in Hobart is slowly evolving and gaining popularity, with more men now daring to dress dapper.
“It’s a service that’s never really been offered in Hobart before. Guys would have to travel to Melbourne and Sydney, but now they’re starting to seek us out.
“We didn’t realise how many people in Hobart would be interested in this type of menswear. Most people just wear a suit for work because they have to, but some people have a real passion and interest in menswear, which is so cool.”
But Sullivan’s offers more than just bespoke suits. They’ve got ready-to-wear items available as well, including a range of polo shirts, merino knitwear, and denim jeans made from Italian cotton. Working with small artisanal makers, Adam and Sophie have developed their own range of handmade products from Italy, including ties, sunglasses, and suede and deerskin belts, plus a beautiful range of handmade candles and fragrances.
“We love being able to offer those items and blend them into the tailoring world. It offers people almost a one-stop shop to come and build their wardrobe.”
Every year, Adam and Sophie travel to Italy to attend Pitti Immagine Uomo, a trade show that showcases the latest trends and collections in men’s fashion, accessories, and lifestyle products. It is their annual pilgrimage to get the insider scoop on emerging fashion trends and bring European style back home to Hobart.
With Wedding season just around the corner, Sullivan’s are soon to be inundated with grooms, with weddings making up around 70% of their current work.
“It’s been really nice to see guys come in with their partner, their dad…Or if they’ve got groomsmen, they’ll get their five best mates in here and have a beer or whiskey on the couch while we fit them. It’s a really nice thing they can do in here.”
Whether you’re looking for a sharp suit for your big day or stylish streetwear, Sullivan’s has you covered with high-quality, bespoke tailoring combined with great down-to-earth service and a whole lotta Hobart charm.
Find them at 131 Macquarie Street.
