Today we’d like to introduce you to Fariba Darukhshani.
Fariba , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Mesa Alterations is a family-run business built on a lifelong passion for sewing, design, and craftsmanship. My husband, Ali, has loved sewing and design since childhood and has more than 35 years of experience in tailoring.
In 2015, he moved to the United States and continued his professional career in the clothing and alterations industry. He began at Men’s Wearhouse, where he worked for two years and specialized in men’s suits. He later worked at David’s Bridal and Nordstrom for about four years, gaining extensive experience with wedding gowns, formal dresses, and women’s alterations. After that, he spent four years at SuitSupply, focusing on suits and men’s clothing. He has also worked with Dior and spent about six months at a privately owned alterations business in San Diego, California.
After years of working for established companies and gaining experience with many different types of garments and customers, we decided to build something of our own. That is how Mesa Alterations began. We wanted to create a family business where customers could receive high-quality alterations, personal attention, and honest service.
Ali’s work is more than simply sewing. He sees tailoring as an art. Every garment is different, and every customer has different needs, so he takes the time to listen carefully and focus on fit, detail, and craftsmanship.
Today, we are proud to serve the Austin community through Mesa Alterations. We are grateful for the trust our customers have placed in us and hope to continue growing the business while maintaining the quality, care, and personal service that have always been at the heart of Ali’s work
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was starting over in a new country. Even though Ali already had many years of tailoring experience, moving to the United States meant beginning again in a completely different environment. He had to learn a new workplace culture, understand different customer expectations, improve communication, and prove his skills all over again.
There were times when the journey felt uncertain, especially while working for different companies and trying to build a stable future for our family. But each job taught him something new. Working with different types of garments, customers, and companies helped him grow not only as a tailor, but also as a professional.
Starting our own business brought another set of challenges. We had to build trust from the beginning, attract customers, manage expenses, learn the business side, and create a reputation one customer at a time. Running a small family business requires much more than sewing. It takes patience, consistency, good customer service, organization, and a willingness to keep learning.
There have been difficult moments, but we have always tried to look at them as part of the journey. Every challenge has made us stronger and more experienced. Looking back, we are proud that we kept moving forward and turned years of hard work and experience into Mesa Alterations. We are still growing, but we feel grateful for how far we have come and for the customers who continue to support us.
We’ve been impressed with Mesa Alterations, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mesa Alterations is a family-owned alterations and tailoring business serving the Austin community. We specialize in professional alterations for men’s and women’s clothing, including suits, formalwear, wedding dresses, evening gowns, dresses, pants, jackets, and other garments.
What sets us apart is experience, attention to detail, and personalized service. Ali has more than 35 years of tailoring experience and has worked with well-known companies including Men’s Wearhouse, David’s Bridal, Nordstrom, SuitSupply, and Dior. This background has given him experience with everything from everyday alterations to bridal, formalwear, luxury garments, and detailed suit work.
We believe a good alteration is not simply about shortening or taking in a garment. It is about understanding the customer, the fabric, the structure of the garment, and how the clothing should fit and feel. We take time to listen to each customer and focus on quality workmanship and a natural, comfortable fit.
We are especially proud that Mesa Alterations is a small family business where customers receive personal attention. Our goal is for every customer to feel comfortable, respected, and confident in their clothing when they leave our shop. We want our brand to be known for craftsmanship, honesty, reliability, and care.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I learn a lot through hands-on experience, observing new styles, and staying updated on fashion and tailoring techniques. I also use online resources such as YouTube, fashion websites, and social media to see new alteration methods, garment construction ideas, and current trends. Most of my knowledge comes from more than 35 years of experience, but I believe there is always something new to learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mesaalterations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mesa.alterations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FCjqp48bH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBz2NP8PgsHeExM7k40
