Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Ogbeide Jr.Philip, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The way I got started with Maestro Philippe was actually by accident. I always was interested in men’s fashion and loved wearing suits since I was a toddler.
My mother would even tell me how when I was a kid I would cry if she did not dress me up with at least my bow tie or neck tie when it was time for her to dress me up for church. She found that to be rather odd because my younger brother, as well as other boys my age, hated wearing formal dress clothes to church. She told me that they would cry if they had to dress up for Sunday Service. My mother till this day tells me that she always knew I had a passion for fashion.
Fast forward to my adult years People would ask me where I would get my suits from. I pretty much went to the owner of where I was getting my suits from and told him that I can bring him a ton of new business so we worked out a deal where I would bring him new business and both parties would benefit from the new business I was bringing him. That later turned into me personal styling individuals for different events like graduation photos and weddings etc.
Eventually, I was not happy with my 9-5, so I resigned. Not knowing where to turn to and what I was going to do career-wise I then thought about going back to school and furthering my education but deep down inside that’s not what I was passionate about so I decided to go another route. It was not until multiple friends and family members told me to consider starting my own men’s fashion suiting and tuxedo company I realized what my purpose was. I did not know where to start or how to even get into the business so my older sister actually assisted me with finding tailors who could help me bring my designs to life.
June 21st, 2017 Maestro Philippe was born. We were making suits and tuxedos for months prior to the born date because we could not come up with a perfect company name, but then my buddy Bolaji randomly called me one day and told me he had the perfect name for my company. He said Maestro Felipè and I immediately knew I loved the Maestro but ended up changing Felipè to Philippe. If you look up the word Maestro on dictionary.com, you will see that maestro means the master of any art. I feel what I do is art (designing, creating, styling, fashion) and that’s where “The Maestros of Menswear” slogan comes from. Philippe comes from the luxury watch Patek Philippe. When I hear the word Philippe I just think of Luxury just like a Patek Philippe watch. When people hear Patek Philippe they know it’s a luxury watch and that’s how I want people to think when they hear Maestro Philippe. I want them to think luxury, plus Philippe is cooler than Philip which is my actual name, so I decided to go with that lol.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road, I am in a business where there is a lot of competition. The first tailors I worked with were not the best tailors in my opinion. I am a perfectionist, and certain things that may look good to someone who is not really into men’s suiting will not look good to me.
I am all about the craftsmanship and quality of the garment. I can not call myself the Maestro on Menswear, and I am not putting out quality work. I had to go through multiple tailors till I found the right one who makes my product exactly the way I like it. I did my research and read how other big named men’s fashion consultants who do what I do pretty much all went through similar situations I went through. I guess you can call that growing pains.
Also, I was transitioning from working a 9-5 with a guaranteed salary to becoming an entrepreneur. That was a rude awakening because running a startup business with no investors can be stressful. There were times I wanted to quit and even would have second thoughts about going full-time entrepreneur. Everything was a learning process, and it has gotten me to where I am today, and I am thankful for the challenges.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
1. My Business Maestro Philippe is now a Men’s and Women’s custom clothing company that specializes in suits, tuxedos, dress shirts, personal styling, personal shopping, brooches/ lapel pins and many more.
2. I am a Personal Men’s Style Consultant and the Creative Director and Designer of Maestro Philippe.
3. I would say we are known for our unique fabric patterns and styles we use to create our suits and tuxedos we are also known for having the most exquisite brooches/ lapel pins. another slogan of ours is “WEAR WHAT THEY FEAR” That is what sets us apart from others. We don’t believe following the fashion trend we create it.
4. I would say we are most proud of working with so many talented individuals in the sports and entertainment world and also just the many different reactions we get when our clients put on their tuxedo or suit for the first time. One time one of our client’s mother cried when she saw her son first put on a tuxedo we created for him for his prom.
I then pulled her to the side and asked her why did she cry, and she said all these emotions just came out. The fact that he was going away from home for college just made her get emotional, she was so happy and excited on how good he looked in our Tuxedo. She said her little boy looked like a man when he put on our tux for the first time. That made me proud. Those are the reactions we live for.
5. What I am honestly most proud of is the launch of Maestro Philippe Women’s Collection. I never thought in a million years that I would be designing women’s suits and tuxedos. I am so happy that my love for men’s fashion has allowed me to branch out.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success as being able to help others who can not necessarily help themselves. Philanthropy is a big part of success. When you are able to give back, that is how you know you made it and are successful. You cant give back to those who really need it if you are not grinding to better your life so that you can be a blessing to others.
Contact Info:
- Website: maestrophilippe.com
- Phone: 832-668-6160
- Email: info@maestrophilippe.
com
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