Education and Certifications

The retailer of custom tailored clothing requires special skill and education. This type of education is not readily available through traditional sources. The CTDA, created and supported by the custom clothing industry and certified master tailors, is the premier educational organization in America to obtain all the skills necessary to build a successful custom clothing business. The program provides extensive training in all aspects of the custom clothing industry from Measuring to Business Development. All courses are taught by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in the course subject.

The Education Program is offered in January and July at the DFNY shows in Manhattan, New York and can be completed in a minimum of 1 year. The Seven (7) Courses total approximately twenty five (25) hours of class time, and are structured to cover each topic from two (2) to five (5) hours in length. The Courses include: Blue Pencil, Business, Custom Shirts, Fabric Knowledge, Fitting & Alterations, Measuring, and Style.

Earn a Custom Certification

The following are required:

  1. Complete seven (7) courses of the CTDA Education Programs, and pass all final exams.
  2. Provide documented proof of more than four (4) years experience in the custom clothing industry. CTDA Vendor references count as documented proof.

Upon completion of the requirements, the certification “CERTIFIED CUSTOM DESIGNER” or “CERTIFIED CUSTOM CLOTHIER” will be awarded with a Professional Certificate suitable for framing.

Schedule

Classes are held during our semi-annual trade shows in January and July. Specific dates and times are posted below as classes become available for enrollment.

Location

Conrad New York Midtown
(formerly The London Hotel)
151 West 54th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenue)
New York, New York 10019
View Map

Fees

$99 per class for Members and are $199 per class for Non-Members.
Refund Policy: Only class credits will be issued with a one year expiration date.

Classes

  • Blue Pencil

    Duration: 3 Hours
    Date: July 22, 2023
    Time: 1 PM to 4 PM
    Where: Conrad New York Midtown Hotel, 151 W. 54th Street, NYC 10019

    This course is meant to help you understand how the measurements and posture descriptions you send to your CMT shop affect the garments they make for you. The course will cover common pattern changes, including explanations and recognition of different postures which warrants the changes. Blue pencil is a step that is taken before the garment is...

    $99.00$199.00
  • Business

    When: Saturday, January 20, 2024
    Time: 9 am to 2 pm (with lunch break)
    Where: Conrad Hotel, New York City, Plume Theatre (lobby level)

    Business Planning: Even long term, well established businesses make a new business plan almost every year. For successful businesses, the process is essential. The discipline of examining and/or reexamining your mission, margins, and needs of your ever evolving customer demographic helps you achieve ever higher goals and makes every decision...

    $99.00$199.00
  • Custom Shirts

    Duration: 1.5 Hours
    Date: Saturday, January 21, 2923
    When: 3 PM to 4:30 PM
    Where:  Conrad Midtown NYC, 151 W. 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

    This course covers understanding the elements of style as it relates to shirts – including color, fabric, anatomy of a shirt and collars, cuff styles, trims and appliqués, and balance.

    Taught by: Mitch Gambert, of Mel Gambert Shirt Makers

    ...
    $99.00$199.00
  • Fabric Knowledge

    Duration: 2 Hours
    Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023
    Time: 9 am to 11 am
    Where: Conrad Hotel, Plume Theatre (1st floor), 151 W. 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

    This course covers an understanding of the quality of fabrics, fabric care, uses, performance, weights, yarn dyes and production processes. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation in fabric principles, and a better understanding of how to help clients select the right fabric for the right reasons. T...

    $99.00$199.00
  • Fitting & Alterations

    Duration: 3 Hours
    Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023
    Time: 9 AM to 12 PM
    Where: Conrad Midtown NYC, 151 W. 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 (Plume conference room, adjacent to Dabble restaurant)

    This course will help you recognize and correct problems with finished garments. You will also learn to properly communicate these adjustments to your CTM house to help eliminate problems with finished garments. Marking for alterations should be done succinctly and using standard ma...

    $99.00$199.00
  • Measuring Class

    Duration: 3 Hours
    Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023
    Time: 12 pm to 3 pm
    Where: Conrad Hotel, Plume Theatre (1st floor), 151 W. 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

    This course covers measuring for all custom garments including jackets, pants, and shirts. The time will be divided between classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations. Standard measurement ranges, recognition of posture problems, illustrations of “putting the goods where they belong”, and guidelines on...

    $99.00$199.00
  • Style

    Date: Saturday, January 20, 2024
    Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
    Where: Conrad Midtown NYC, 151 W. 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 (Plume conference room, adjacent to Dabble restaurant)

    This course deals with recognizing silhouettes and details and understanding how to apply them appropriately to each body type. From jackets, pants and overcoats to shirts, the clothier must be an expert at manipulating style for the customer. This is a CTDA Accredited Course.

    ...
    $99.00$199.00