Master Tailor & Pattern Cutter

Buck Mason; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Buck Mason in Los Angeles seeks a Master Tailor & Pattern Cutter with 10–15+ years in bespoke tailoring to define fit, silhouette, and construction across its tailored collections.

You will draft patterns by hand, lead a small team of craftspeople, mentor junior makers, and translate traditional techniques into modern ready‑to‑wear.

This role offers a transparent compensation range of $175,000–$225,000 per year, with bonuses and other perks, and a commitment to craftsmanship in American menswear.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of advanced professional bespoke tailoring experience.
• Formal training under a recognized master tailor or renowned tailoring house.
• Proven mastery of hand‑drafted patterns, construction, fittings, and advanced tailoring techniques.
• Experience developing tailored jackets, trousers, coats, and structured garments.

Responsibilities

• Master bespoke tailoring and garment construction across Buck Mason's line.
• Develop patterns from measurements and reference garments.
• Lead fittings and diagnose complex fit issues.
• Collaborate with design and production to ensure pattern integrity.
• Mentor pattern makers and sample makers.
• Establish construction standards reflecting high craftsmanship.

Skills

Pattern drafting

Garment construction

Fittings & alterations

Team mentorship

Anatomical fit understanding

Education

Formal tailoring training

Apprenticeship in tailoring

Master tailor mentorship

Job description

We are searching for a true master of the craft—an individual whose knowledge of tailoring has been developed through years of formal training, hands‑on apprenticeship, and experience within some of the world's most respected tailoring traditions.
The ideal candidate has trained or apprenticed within the distinguished tailoring communities of the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, or Savile Row, developing a deep understanding of traditional bespoke construction, pattern drafting, garment architecture, and the subtleties of exceptional fit.
This is not a conventional pattern‑making position. We are looking for an artisan, technician, and creative collaborator who understands clothing from the inside out—someone equally comfortable drafting a pattern from scratch, running and managing a small team of craftspeople, constructing a garment by hand, conducting fittings, and translating traditional tailoring principles into modern ready‑to‑wear production.
This individual will help define and refine the fit, silhouette, and construction of Buck Mason's tailored clothing, establishing a recognizable standard of craftsmanship across our collections.

Responsibilities:

Master Tailoring & Garment Construction

• Bring expert knowledge of traditional bespoke and made‑to‑measure tailoring techniques to Buck Mason.
• Develop and refine tailored jackets, trousers, outerwear, shirting, and other structured garments with exceptional attention to proportion, balance, and fit.
• Apply advanced knowledge of hand tailoring, canvas construction, shoulder architecture, lapel shaping, pressing, and finishing techniques.
• Construct garments and prototypes from initial pattern through final fitting, demonstrating mastery of both hand and machine techniques.
• Establish construction standards that reflect the quality and integrity of the world's finest tailoring houses.
• Manage and mentor a team of craftspeople and tailors with the goal of quality, craftmanship, and exceptional customer service.

Pattern Making & Fit Development

• Create original patterns from measurements, sketches, reference garments, and design concepts using traditional hand‑drafting methods.
• Develop blocks and foundational patterns that establish consistency across Buck Mason's tailored categories.
• Lead fittings, diagnose complex fit issues, and refine garments through an expert understanding of body geometry, movement, and proportion.
• Translate bespoke tailoring techniques into reproducible, commercially viable ready‑to‑wear patterns without compromising the integrity of the garment.
• Collaborate with technical design and production teams to develop grading standards, construction specifications, and production‑ready patterns.

Design Collaboration & Product Development

• Work directly with Buck Mason's design leadership to develop signature silhouettes and evolve the brand's approach to modern American tailoring.
• Translate creative concepts and archival references into beautifully balanced, contemporary garments.
• Contribute expertise in fabric selection, internal construction, finishing, and garment engineering.
• Collaborate with domestic and international manufacturing partners to ensure the integrity of original patterns and construction methods is maintained through production.
• Develop prototypes and samples that serve as the benchmark for final production quality.

Craftsmanship Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as Buck Mason's leading authority on tailoring, garment architecture, and advanced pattern making.
• Mentor pattern makers, technical designers, sample makers, and product development teams in traditional tailoring methods.
• Establish a library of master patterns, construction techniques, fit standards, and technical references.
• Help preserve and integrate traditional tailoring knowledge into the ongoing structure of product building at Buck Mason.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, technical excellence, and respect for the craft of garment‑making.

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential Experience

• 10–15+ years of advanced professional experience in bespoke tailoring, master pattern making, or tailored clothing development.
• Formal training under a recognized master tailor, prestigious tailoring house, or established tailoring atelier.
• Demonstrated mastery of hand‑drafted patterns, garment construction, fittings, alterations, and advanced tailoring techniques.
• Experience developing tailored jackets, trousers, coats, and structured garments from concept to finished product.
• Exceptional understanding of garment balance, proportion, ease, fabric behavior, and anatomical fit.
• Ability to translate traditional bespoke techniques into scalable luxury or premium ready‑to‑wear production.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across creative, technical, andmanufacturing teams.
• An understanding of historic American tailoring, workwear, military garments, and vintage menswear.
• Experience creating original blocks and signature silhouettes.

The Ideal Candidate

We are particularly interested in individuals who have dedicated their careers to mastering the art of tailoring—craftspeople with the technical depth, refined eye, and hands‑on expertise associated with leading bespoke tailors and pattern cutters.

Our ideal candidate combines the discipline of a traditional master tailor with the curiosity and adaptability of a modern designer.

They understand that exceptional tailoring is not simply about precision. It is about knowing when to introduce structure, when to remove it, how to create balance, and how to give a garment character through subtle decisions in pattern and construction.

They possess an instinctive understanding of what makes a jacket hang beautifully, a trouser fall naturally, or a coat feel effortless on the body.

Above all, they have a genuine passion for the craft and a desire to bring generations of tailoring knowledge into a new expression of American menswear.

Application Requirements

Candidates should provide a professional résumé and a portfolio demonstrating original pattern development, tailored garment construction, and finished work.

Selected candidates may be invited to participate in a technical evaluation involving pattern drafting, garment fitting, and construction assessment.

Buck Mason is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified candidates from diverse professional and educational backgrounds and value demonstrated mastery of the craft regardless of the particular path through which that expertise was acquired.

$175,000 - $225,000 a year

Here at Buck Mason, we're all about transparency and fairness, especially when it comes to compensation. The total compensation range for this role is $175,000-$225,000 per year and your total compensation package may include bonuses and other perks tailored to your performance and dedication to our craft.

Buck Mason is dedicated to creating modern American classics—timeless garments defined by exceptional materials, considered design, and enduring craftsmanship.

We believe that the best clothing is built upon an intimate understanding of fabric, proportion, construction, and fit. Our approach combines the heritage of traditional garment‑making with a modern American sensibility, creating clothing that feels both familiar and distinctly contemporary.

As we continue to build our product and brand, we are seeking an experienced Master Tailor & Pattern Cutter to bring world‑class tailoring expertise, technical precision, and an uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship to our design and development process.