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Last week’s speaker Tucked into a space above Whistle and Keg in downtown Youngstown is the custom tailor shop Private Stash Atelier. Owned and curated by Joseph Guerrieri Private Stash Atelier offers appointments with tailors for men’s made-to-order clothing, style consultations, and alterations. Private Stash will also make suiting for women. Influenced by a family of entrepreneurs, Joe left his home in the Mahoning Valley nine years ago and set out for Los Angeles. He came to his current trade in a roundabout way, working in LA as a DJ, and eventually starting a band. It was his work as a valet, however, that started Joe on the road to fashion. As a valet, he had a lot of free time, and during his down time got involved in creating hats, becoming known in hip-hop circles as the “hat guy”. Some of his creations were worn by hip-hop celebrities. Sensing that fashion might be his niche, Joe chose his next steps wisely. He was put on with a pattern maker, where he sourced fabric and observed the process of creating clothing. After six months, he decided to give it a try and bought a sewing machine. He was able to design enough pieces to create a full collection and even met a buyer from Barney’s who was interested in his creations. Building on that success, he got a job in retail to learn the business aspects of fashion, and was eventually asked to take over the store’s other retail location that was failing. Joe reinvented the store and restored it to profitability. It wasn’t long after that, however, that COVID hit, prompting Joe’s return to Ohio. Upon his return, he was able to work out a deal to purchase fabric to manufacture men’s suits, and Private Stash Atelier was born. The shop is appointment-only, and is set up to have a relaxing, casual atmosphere. Suits are made-to-measure, or “bespoke”, which is clothing that is designer inspired, down to the fabric and tailoring. Joe brought along several styles of suits to display and an overcoat, all impeccably styled. Joe’s future plans for the shop include a cigar bar where patrons can relax with a glass of wine or bourbon. In closing, Joe offered a tip – always have a pocket square in your suit jacket! Elyane speaks to Canfield Rotary.
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