Custom Kilts

Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine

When Israel David opened Installation Boutique in Crown Heights (717 Franklin Ave., nr. Park Pl.; installationnyc.tumblr.com) back in August, he and his partner Chadon Charles stocked a few tartan kilts on the women’s racks among the eclectic mix of snapback hats and vintage alligator loafers. But the fact that his male shoppers ­(perhaps channeling Marc Jacobs and Kanye West) also flocked to the Scottish garb prompted David to enlist local designer Swiyyah Akhtab for custom orders. ­Clients are measured in-store; within five days, each garment, hand-sewn from three yards of authen-tic tartan wool fabric, is box-pleated, affixed with rawhide leather closures, hand-frayed along the hem, and pressed to crisp perfection (from $250). David plans to ­produce a total of 50 custom kilts before co-launching his next niche project with Charles—a line of men’s clothing called I&C, kicking off with bespoke denim in January.

Custom Kilts