# Suitsupply: Fokke de Jong

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-05-01
- Length: 1h 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong

## Summary

Fokke de Jong, founder of Suit Supply, explains how he built a global menswear brand by sourcing high-quality Italian fabrics and manufacturing in China to undercut luxury prices. He details his unconventional retail strategy, including opening stores on highways and in Soho lofts, and navigating regulatory hurdles like zoning laws and permit delays. De Jong also discusses the operational challenges of scaling production, the importance of in-store tailoring for brand credibility, and his decision to remain privately held to maintain control over the company's culture and execution.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=0) Introduction: Fokke de Jong and Suit Supply
- [6:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=383) Starting Suit Supply from a Dorm Room
- [10:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=645) Sourcing Italian Fabrics and Manufacturing
- [20:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=1203) Unconventional Retail Locations and Zoning Issues
- [34:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=2062) Expanding to London and the US
- [38:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=2317) Moving Production to China
- [53:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=3180) New York Store Opening and Permit Drama
- [57:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=3451) Staff Training and Career Paths
- [1:07:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong#t=4030) Scaling, Pandemic Response, and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Suit Supply (company)
- Proctor and Gamble (company)
- Armani (company)
- Zegna (company)
- Ogier (company)
- Savile Row (other)
- Wall Street Journal (other)
- Michael Kors (company)
- Heineken (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [89: Stretchy and Smudgy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-11-17-89-stretchy-and-smudgy) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [155: Identifying a Sourcing Partner for Overseas Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-12-21-155-identifying-a-sourcing-partner-for-overseas-manufacturing) (Product Startup)
- [044: Turning customizable jackets into a multi-million dollar business, Elyse Daniels of Exodus Wear](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-14-044-turning-customizable-jackets-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-elyse-dani) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Jia Liao, Hotpot Queen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-05-31-founder-feature-jia-liao-hotpot-queen) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Single Origin Soy Sauce and Award Winning Branding with Christine Liu and Clarissa Wei of HEYDOH](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-05-founder-feature-single-origin-soy-sauce-and-award-winning-branding-with-christin) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-01-suitsupply-fokke-de-jong. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.