It was 1981 in LA; the city was in the midst of a year-long celebration for its 200th birthday, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s duet “Endless Love” was top of the charts, and Sebouh Najarian established his bespoke tailoring shop on Melrose Boulevard.
You can’t think of our city’s culture without the small businesses that helped make it what it is today. One of the most beloved and successful is Si Beau Custom Tailor, or “Dad’s shop” to my sister and me.
When Dad told us his 45th anniversary for the shop was coming up, I finally put pen to paper about his longstanding career. You see, Dad isn’t your run-of-the-mill tailor, hemming bridesmaid dresses and jeans. It’s a noble profession, but most people don’t understand that bespoke tailoring is an art form.
Few professionals do it right, and fewer are master tailors at their trade. Sure, there’s the technical aspect of constructing garments from the ground up. But people don’t come to Dad just because he can do it better than anyone. It’s because of his eye for the artistry. He captures the embodiment of his client’s presence, crafting it into bespoke suits, blazers, pants, and shirts. He helps evoke a sense of pride in the wearer; a claim that this is who I am and I look good doing it.
It’s no wonder that Si Beau Custom Tailor has attracted many celebrities and influential people. But Dad has never been one to fawn over clientele which is why so many trust him. Whether it’s Harrison Ford or Denzel Washington, Sebouh is Hollywood’s go-to tailor.
Much of it stemmed from his close relationship with costume designer Marilyn Vance (Ricochet, War of the Roses, Pretty Woman), which helped establish him as a trusted advisor and artist in his own right.
But it got me thinking, where did it all begin? What was the catalyst for his illustrious career? Who was his first big get?
Mickey Rourke.
Before Si Beau Custom Tailor was established at 8176 Melrose Blvd, Dad worked as a clothing salesman at a fashion boutique called Sy Amber on the same street. He was making his way in America as a Lebanese Armenian immigrant.
One thing Dad mentioned time and time again when we spoke was that Mickey was just as good at fashion as he was at acting. He had an eye for clothes that Dad couldn’t help but admire. Mickey recognized the same talent in Dad and they hit it off.
They were like two well-dressed peas in a pod.
Dad still remembers the day Mickey told him he was going to make it big in Hollywood. The East Coast boxer drove his shiny Cadillac up to Sy Amber and sat on the hood. The California sunshine beamed down, casting its warmth like a promise for a better future. He wasn’t famous yet, but he spoke of his future as if it were already happening.
Naturally, Dad believed him.
Mickey Rourke’s career took off shortly after that, and he brought Dad along for the ride. They’d go to restaurants on La Cienega Boulevard, attend weddings together, and work on movie wardrobes.
Films like 9 ½ Weeks and The Pope of Greenwich Village immortalized that fleeting moment in time when a poor kid from Lebanon and a scrappy kid from New York made it big, together.
An editorial piece on Mickey Rourke in Women’s Wear Daily where he mentions his favorite LA tailor, Si Beau Cusom Tailor.
Dad and Mickey Rourke eventually lost touch over the years, but what he remembers most from their time together was Mickey’s generosity.
He was a ride or die type of guy; paying for friends’ suits, referring Dad’s business to other Hollywood elite, and standing up to anyone who dared step out of line.
Their friendship led to many of Si Beau Custom Tailor’s successes, helping Dad fulfill his greatest achievement—a comfortable life for his wife and kids.
There are more stories like this that Dad shared over the years and in honor of Si Beau Custom Tailor’s 45th anniversary, I’m making it into a series.
Next up: Pretty Woman, Sidney Poitier, and Harrison Ford.