Michael Iji got his start as a tailor's apprentice in Abia State, Nigeria, from 14 years old until he began moving towards Europe in his early twenties. He was a sharp student and blessed with natural talent from cultural learning to be industrious. He began using his acquired skills to design his own custom clothing in an open market popup shop along with doing on-the-spot sewing, learning as he grew in age and experience.

 

Crafting native clothing & designer copies for Italians became integral as Michael later made his way to Italy, and for nearly ten years he gained further training as a temporary sewer in some local Italian fashion houses. 
After marrying his Detroit-born wife and starting a family, Michael moved to the U.S. and came south in 2010.

 

Having arrived in the U.S. in the midst of the economic crash, Michael quickly found his niche as an expert tailor - alterations’ specialist, gaining clients in several states as he strived to care for his family.

 

He spent the first few years doing industrial sewing in several furniture factories in Hildebran and Hickory, North Carolina, yet quietly held in the burning desire to design menswear, specifically formal & business shirts.

 

After more than thirty years developing his signature styles & techniques, Michael opened his own tailor shop in beautiful downtown Cary, North Carolina. Clients travel from all over North Carolina and a few other states to avail themselves of his talents.

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He cuts without patterns; designs unique Afro-Eurocentric formal and evening casual shirts; performs tailoring and alteration services for all in the community and is known for taking on projects that other tailor shops won't touch. He has sewn leather jackets, jeans, sofa cushions, handbags, duffle bags, caps, vinyl, harnesses, and even particular weaves for trampolines utilized in a local fun park. He adds monograms and some types of embroidery, along with sewing patches for local scout troops and leaders. There is not much that Michael Iji has not or will not be able to do. Even when it hasn't been done before, he will study it and find a way.

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“If you’re local to Cary, the Triangle, or surrounding states within a few hours, I invite you to come on over for a visit and learn what I do here. This is not just a random job that I picked up; this is my passion, my craft. I have honed my skills over about 30 years of sewing in three countries, and I continue to perfect my techniques of pant construction and shirt making.

 

Designing clothing is exciting, fun and fulfilling as I see ideas go from imagination to finished creation. I eagerly look forward to discussing your custom fashion needs with you!”

Despite the ravages of Covid-19 on businesses everywhere, MICHAEL IJI Custom Design & Tailoring Studio is still holding it down in Cary. We used the years of quarantine to build on our collection and add many more amazing designs and Italian fabrics to the shirt line. The bespoke-tailored clothing of MICHAEL IJI is custom-measured to fit to perfection.

 

With the superior quality, attention to detail and personally handcrafted styling to fit each individual client, our staff looks forward to setting your appointment very soon!​