Forty years of stitches: Juan Cruz, the tailor who isn't afraid of the Chinese

Thread by thread, Juan Cruz's hands have crafted clothing for hundreds of clients, from office workers, women in evening gowns, bullfighters, charros, and even artists . His trade is custom-made, it is tailoring , which he has practiced for more than 40 years and inherited from one of his daughters.

“I make classic, custom-made suits, from tailcoats to bullfighter outfits. They are very ancient designs, the designs are permanent, and fashion never changes, despite Chinese clothing, which is tough competition. For example, the tailcoat has been used since the Porfiriato and is still used today,” he explained in an interview.

You may also be interested in: 130 years of tradition: La Purísima, a candle-making business in Mesones

Originally from Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca , Mr. Cruz - as he is known - learned the trade in his homeland from a very young age, thanks to his teacher, Manuel , but it was not until he was 18 that he traveled alone to Mexico City.

"They don't make that many suits there, only for weddings or quinceañeras, and I wanted to excel in that garment. It's what I've dedicated my life to: making suits, even though the competition from the Chinese industry is tough," he recalled.

In more than four decades, it has experienced an evolution in garment manufacturing , although it now competes with the rise of digital platforms, clothing of Chinese origin , where everything is offered at a low cost.

"Now there are a lot of factory-made suits, garments from the Chinese market. It's unfair competition for us because they're very cheap, and we here still do it the old-fashioned way, we work by hand," he commented.

Fortunately, his clients do not abandon him and his workshop always has orders to make garments for major events .

As proof of the appreciation and recognition of his work, Cruz explained: “We make up to five suits a week.”

It is precisely in this workshop where, 40 years ago, he started as an employee and now continues spinning and mending, as the owner.

You may also be interested in: 130 years of tradition: La Purísima, a candle-making business in Mesones

"When I arrived in the city, I started working in this business. After a few years, the owner transferred it. I continued alone, and now I have people who help me, like the pants makers who do repairs, and a suit salesman who goes to the customers' homes," he recalled.

Cruz Tailor Shop is located at 605 Revolución Avenue in the San Pedro de los Pinos neighborhood ; it's where Juan Cruz began crafting a story that continues to produce cuts and stitches to this day.