About

THE BRAND
THE FOUNDER

The Brand : What We Stand For

X of Pentacles (pronounced "Ten of Pentacles") - named after the Tarot card that represents wealth and long term success- A sense of Fulfillment in having one of the most valuable things one can possess-Individuality.

In a world where everything is mass produced and everyone resembles one another...we strive to create for those who value superior quality but MUST be themselves. The only box we can be put in is our packaging :)

Working directly with fabric mills used by luxury fashion houses- we provide them with our own art prints instead of recycling the same patterns everyone else uses.

We also support Italian craftsmanship and tailoring trades. In our efforts to partner with historic bespoke tailors to produce our garments and uphold the phenomenon that is Neapolitan Tailoring. Specific to Naples, Italy - with it's own style of visually distinctive characteristics that can be easily spotted among a crowd of suits. An industry already facing it's mortality- with most tailors well into their late 60s+ and in great need of a new generation to carry on the tradition of things still made by HAND. The old school way. We like old school shit- it has soul, slight imperfections, it feels human. We love tradition and having the best of the best when it comes to quality- but without the ostentation that tends to accompany luxury goods.

Sustainable by Nature

Bespoke tailoring has historically been a sector of "sustainable fashion", before the term was coined. Utilizing natural materials and creating garments meant to last a lifetime, rather than a few seasons. We continue that mission, emphasizing quality over quantity. Our accessories follow the same route, only releasing new collections once the previous have sold out- thus reducing our carbon footprint.

We promise to always go out of our way to be thoughtful, provide personal service, and deliver you something that is truly ONE OF A KIND.

TRUE BESPOKE: We are currently the ONLY brand in Virginia to offer REAL Bespoke suiting, and one of the few in the entire USA.

All of our Made to Measure & Bespoke garments are made in partnership with a small workshop in Naples, Italy- involving up to 70 man hours of hand sewing. Even our made to measure suits involve a generous amount of hand work.

All accessories are made in small batches and sold as Limited Edition Prints- the same as one would purchase from a gallery. Once sold, they are never duplicated/created again.

Our accessories are all hand-illustrated by Marcel - Use of pencil, pen, drawing ink, marker, and watercolor are utilized and altered via new media to produce each print. We partner with mills in England and Como, Italy to manufacture our scarves, ties, and pocket squares- also all sewn by hand.

xofpentacles-modern-art-richmond-virginia-limited-edition-prints

In closure, we're here to offer you something that embodies craftsmanship, respects tradition, and serves as a tool to express your own individual narrative. Whether it be wearing it or framing it- the choice is yours.

The Founder : HUMBLE ORIGINS

X (Ten) Of Pentacles was founded in 2016 on the heels of several tragic events. Our founder and Designer , Marcel Ames, was on track to join the ranks of the Richmond Police Department circa 2014. About 2 months shy of graduating the academy, he suffered from a concussion during training. Following months of physical therapy and treatment, he was unable to return.

Shortly after, Marcel was blind-sided by the abrupt death of his father, followed by the loss of his home. While searching for a new career, dealing with grief, and working through post-concussion syndrome- Marcel began sketching as a therapeutic outlet. When there were no design jobs available, he decided to pool his resources and create the brand you know today as X of Pentacles- teaching himself design and pairing it with an obsessive passion for menswear. Many of those therapeutic sketches drawn at the kitchen table became the first pocket square collection.

Watch our founder's CreativeMornings talk below to learn the long version of that story.

Cheers!

https://www.twine.fm/xofpentacles

Our Bespoke Suits: Hand Sewn in Naples, Italy

Basted Fitting
The Bespoke Suit process starts with a "Basted Fitting" after submitting your measurements. Here, a loosely sewn together garment is created for the fitting. The majority of adjustments are made in this stage.
Forward Fitting
Adjustments continue to your Bespoke Suit. Pockets are added, as well as the front facings. The garment begins to take shape and we hone in on getting that perfect fit for your suit.
Final Fitting
30-60 hours of handwork and 3-6months later, you have your completed Bespoke Suit to try on for your final fitting and take home. Completely sewn by hand- every small detail of stitching and an absolute one of a kind fit. Bespoke is the most unique process allowing you ultimate creative freedom and supreme fit for your suit.