Hickey Freeman
In 1899, Jacob Freeman was 29 years old and Jeremiah Hickey was 32. They worked for a men’s clothing company, Wile, Brickner & Wile in Rochester, New York. Mr. Hickey later recalled his early days in the clothing business at the age of 19: “My first salary was $4.00 a week. …I made it a habit to always put something away, for I had ambitions to go into business for myself.”
Hickey and Freeman became close friends. The decision to start their own business in 1899 was precipitated by an offer of a better job in Boston for Hickey and in Chicago for Freeman. Neither wanted to leave Rochester and both felt ready to test their abilities in a business of their own.
Today Hickey Freeman is a renowned manufacturer of fine men’s clothing. Featured as a best buy in consumer reports almost yearly, Hickey Freeman has been able to mold their suits using old-world techniques fused with cutting edge technology.
Canvas Front Construction
Hickey Freeman uses the finest canvas for interlinings. Comprised of wool, cotton and goat hair, the canvas front is an exclusive lightweight construction that adds lasting shape and body to the coat front without the heavy stiffness of lesser quality canvas.
The hallmark of quality in a Hickey Freeman garment is immediately noticed in the graceful way the coat lapel rolls and in the way the coat front hugs the chest like a second skin.
Hand Tailoring
The buttonholes of a Hickey Freeman coat are hand sewn with long-wear silk thread over a fine twist-free linen gimp. Hand-sewn buttonholes yield durability with a soft, flexible feel.
Hickey Freeman’s list of hand tailoring includes: Hand-fitted armhole and shoulder settings. Hand fitted vents. Hand sewn buttonholes and bar tacks. Neck hanger. Micro-hand-stitched label. Pressing and finishing of linings. Side and shoulder seams. Pockets. Collar corner and vent felling. All ensure that each and every garment achieves that perfect feel, the precise fit, and the lasting impression that makes a Hickey Freeman feel like a second skin.