On a mission to Making Alterations easy
Cimu is a network of expert tailors on a mission to change how Americans use their clothes. We bring alterations to your door because we believe the industry can do better for both the people who wear the clothes and the people who alter them.
From Hong Kong to NYC
Cimu started when founders Kaci and Zepto met during a summer internship in Hong Kong.
At the time, Kaci was helping online fashion retailers reduce returns by connecting customers with local tailors. No matter how hard she tried, finding reliable tailors in the U.S. was nearly impossible because of their lack of web presence and antiquated business practices. Being from Hong Kong where tailoring is effortless, Zepto found this absurd. After weeks of hearing Kaci complain, Zepto decided to do something about it by coding the first user flow.
What started as a Yale University project (backed by Yale's Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking) has become New York's solution to outdated tailor shops: we bring professional alterations directly to your home.
Our tailors
Every tailor in our network is a vetted artisan. Kaci is a seamstress herself, so every tailor on our team has been evaluated tailors purely on their ability to execute flawless alterations, not on reviews or business savvy.
Most of our tailors are immigrants and non-native English speakers. They are extraordinary at their craft but often dismissed for poor business practices. We handle the business side so their skills actually reaches the people who need it.
Why Finding a Good Tailor in NYC Is Surprisingly Hard (and why we come to you)
New York City has hundreds of tailors, but the good ones are backlogged, the bad ones ruin your valuable pieces, and most operate with business practices from the last century.
Most traditional tailor shops are:
cash only
don’t have upfront pricing
can’t be reached until you visit them in person during business hours
have vague timelines
For busy professionals who value their time, this system doesn't work, and for women, trying on clothes behind a flimsy curtain is a scary experience.
Your clothes sit in your closet unworn because getting them altered requires too much. We show up where you are most comfortable to make the tailoring experience better.
Why This Matters Beyond Just Convenience
The majority of U.S. tailors will retire in the next two decades. Since Americans severely underutilize tailoring shops, there’s no motivation for young replacements to learn this essential craft from the masters. An entire trade is disappearing, and most people don't even notice.
We believe the fix isn't just training young tailors but to encourage more tailoring in the U.S. When alterations are as simple as ordering food delivery, people stop leaving clothes unworn in their closets. They get more value from what they own and buy less. That's better for you and the environment.
When you combine exceptional craft with modern infrastructure, the industry doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
We’re Supported By
Our alterations are the first step towards a world where U.S. tailoring doesn’ t just survive—it thrives.