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Crown Heights Boutique Does Brisk Business in Bespoke Kilts

By Sonja Sharp | November 4, 2013 9:57am
  Franklin Avenue's eclectic Installation Boutique offers made-to-order kilts for men.  
Kilts at Installation Boutique
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CROWN HEIGHTS — These men are dressed to kilt. 

Crown Heights may be a long way from the Scottish Highlands, but one men's designer is bringing a bit of bespoke tartan flair to Franklin Avenue

"I’ve only been open for two months, and I saw that these tartan plaids ... were blowing out of the store," said Israel David, 33, whose eclectic new Installation Boutique has been selling out of men's kilts faster than he can stock them.  

They were so popular, in fact, that David took to making them himself to keep up with demand when his suppliers couldn't produce them fast enough.

"The official Highland tartan plaids were getting really expensive ... I wasn’t coming across them as much as I was before, so I made the suggestion that I could do some cut and sew pieces," David said.

"It’s a few box pleats and a few yards of fabrics and a waistband — it’s pretty simple, but people want them. "

David's handmade kilts, which cost about $250, are made to order with customers' size specifications, he said.

And they're right at home in the tiny specialty shop, which features neon fur handbags, designer accessories, and brightly-colored bow ties. 

"You might see a snapback hat, but there’s Prada, some Jimmy Choos...I wanted to mix designer pieces and fun pieces for your everyday nine-to-five worker," David said of the store. 

"I love seeing people in the neighborhood walking around with my pieces, or posting pictures and sending me emails talking about how many compliments they've gotten."

As for the bespoke kilts, the boutique owner said he's hoping to capitalize to the trend before it gets too popular. 

"Guys are different now, they’re more open, they’re a lot more comfortable in their sexuality and themselves, so this is a statement piece for men especially."

But he said he doesn't expect the limited run to keep his interest for much longer.

"I want to cut and sew 50 and be done with the trend," he said.