From the first conversation to the finished piece

How a made-to-measure piece is created at CICIPEEL^® in Zollikofen near Bern: conversation, choice of fabric, measurements, cutting and fitting – step by step.

First published on 15 October 2023
Revised on 12 November 2026
3 min read

A made-to-measure piece is not created in an afternoon. It comes about in several steps, and each of them has its reason. This is how we work in the CICIPEEL^® atelier in Zollikofen near Bern.

1. The conversation

It all begins with a thorough conversation. What is the piece for – for work, for a wedding, for every day? What do you like to wear, and what would you never wear? Is there a model, a photo or an old favourite you would like to take as a starting point? The clearer the picture at the beginning, the less needs correcting later.

Feel free to bring along what you have: a garment that fits well, or one you would like to have reworked.

2. The fabric

Which fabric is right depends on the occasion and the season. A suit for everyday working life has to meet different demands from a summer dress or a winter coat. That is why choosing the fabric is part of the consultation: weight, drape and handle all help decide how a piece will wear later on.

The owner cutting fabric to a pattern in the atelier — In the atelier: the fabric is cut to the pattern.

3. Taking measurements

Then come the measurements. For the bespoke suit, we use a 21-point measuring system. After all, a jacket should not only look good while you stand in front of the mirror, but also when you sit down or reach for something.

4. Pattern and cutting

The measurements are used to draft the pattern, to which the fabric is then cut. With a restyle, it is the other way round: the piece already exists, and we consider how it can be brought back into shape.

5. Fitting and finishing

The fitting reveals what cannot be seen on paper. This is where the piece is adjusted until it fits. How many fittings are needed and how long the making takes depends on the piece. We discuss both at the first conversation, so that you know where you stand – especially if the piece has to be ready for a fixed date.

CICIPEEL labels, ribbon and gold buttons — Finally: label, ribbon and buttons.

All the steps at a glance are on the page How your piece is made. Why the effort can be worthwhile is explained in the article Why made-to-measure clothing?

Revised version of the article «Moderne Kleiderkunst», published in German on 15 October 2023. The original text described Zurich ateliers in general; the CICIPEEL^® atelier is now located in Zollikofen near Bern. General statements about other ateliers and unsubstantiated superlatives were removed, and the process was related to our own atelier. Translated from the German.