About
The Handcraft Tailor Academy
Our
Story
Founded in 2016 by Rory Duffy, a fifth-generation Master Tailor and 2009 Golden Shears Award winner, The Handcraft Tailor Academy is the culmination of a lifelong journey rooted in tradition, perseverance, and a deep passion for the art of handcraft tailoring.
Rory’s story begins in Ireland where his tailoring lineage traces back to his great-grandfather, Patrick McCabe (1896–1989), a skilled tailor whose career spanned decades in rural Ireland. It would be Patrick's legacy that would ignite Rory’s ambition.
After years of searching, Rory secured an apprenticeship in Sligo, enduring gruelling conditions and meagre wages—yet his determination never wavered. A pivotal visit to London’s Savile Row solidified his dream, leading him to train at the London College of Fashion and later apprentice under Henry Poole & Co - the founders of Savile Row’s. There, Rory honed his skills under master coat maker, Paul Frearson, absorbing the secrets of Savile Row’s legendary craftsmanship.
Rory’s career reached new heights when he won the prestigious Golden Shears Award in 2009, becoming the first Henry Poole apprentice to claim the title. His innovative checked tailcoat and kilt ensemble showcased his mastery and creativity, earning global recognition.
After relocating to New York in 2011, Rory established himself as The Handcraft Tailor, catering to elite clients while lecturing at Parsons The New School. Yet, his true calling remained: to preserve and teach the art of bespoke tailoring.
Inspired by the trade schools of the past, like The Tailor & Cutter Academy (1866–1972), and encouraged by a chance meeting with Michelle Obama in 2014, Rory returned to his ancestral home in Ireland. There, he founded The Handcraft Tailor Academy, a school dedicated to nurturing talent through a blend of traditional techniques and modern accessibility.
Today, Rory and his wife, Desiree,
run the school together. Rory writes the course curriculum and teaches while Desiree handles the technical aspects of the business.
Also on their team is Winston - Undefeated champion, award winner for the last eight years for Employee of the Year.
He's often seen trailing behind Rory and following him wherever he goes. He enjoys being around the students and never misses an opportunity for pets and a belly-rub.
Driven by Rory’s vision to make tailoring accessible and affordable, the academy bridges the gap between old-world techniques and contemporary learning, welcoming students from every continent.
The academy offers immersive in-house courses, online courses, and Video on Demand tutorials allowing students worldwide to learn everything from basic tailoring techniques to pattern drafting, to garment making to understanding the art and science of fitting.
The Handcraft Tailor Academy not only teaches the skills of a master tailor but also fosters a deep appreciation for the artistry and heritage of handcraft tailoring.