It's All Been Done Before

Philip Pravda

Philip Pravda: A Legacy in Menswear, Reinvented for the Modern EraPhilip Pravda, founder and CEO of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned expert in luxury menswear with over 35 years of experience in the industry. Coming from a long line of clothiers spanning generations, Philip grew up immersed in the world of fine tailoring, learning firsthand from his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His expertise in luxury Italian fabrics, custom suiting, and high-end fashion retail has made him a recognized name in the menswear business.For years, Philip owned and operated multiple luxury menswear boutiques on Madison and Fifth Avenue in New York City, catering to an elite clientele seeking premium craftsmanship. However, in 2014, recognizing the changing landscape of retail, he made a bold move—going online with his business. This transition allowed him to bring high-quality, custom Italian-made suits directly to discerning customers worldwide.Philip’s journey is a testament to innovation within tradition. While the foundation of his business remains rooted in classic tailoring, he has redefined what it means to sell luxury menswear in the digital age. Through SuitCafe.com, he provides personalized service, expert guidance, and exclusive made-in-Italy pieces crafted from the finest fabrics. His deep knowledge of fabric sourcing, tailoring, and modern retail strategies has positioned him as a thought leader in the evolving menswear market.Philip also shares his insights through his podcast, “It’s All Been Done Before,” where he explores how entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry professionals reinvent themselves in an ever-changing world. His debut episode flips the script—he is the one being interviewed, sharing his experiences, challenges, and strategies for success. Future episodes will feature conversations with colleagues, customers, and friends from various industries, uncovering how they overcame the notion that “it’s all been done before” to carve out their own unique paths.Whether through custom luxury suiting, digital innovation, or thought leadership, Philip Pravda continues to prove that while the fundamentals of business may not change, there is always a new way to do it better, smarter, and with your own signature style.

  1. The Passing of My Father, Paul Pravda Part 2

    20 JANV.

    The Passing of My Father, Paul Pravda Part 2

    Send us a text In this heartfelt second episode, I continue to share the legacy of my father, Paul Pravda, who passed away in December 2025. This episode dives deeper into his pioneering role in the luxury menswear industry, how he carried forward a family tradition and made it his own, founding his business in 1978 and shaping it with passion, precision, and a sixth sense for quality. My father believed in giving value to the customer above all else. He had an instinctive eye for exceptional craftsmanship, often discovering luxury brands before they became global icons, names like Valentino, Canali, Brioni, and Armani were part of his daily vocabulary long before they were household names. We also revisit how he sourced garments in Europe in the 1950s with my grandfather, decades before global fashion houses had international showrooms, and brought high-quality tailoring back to New York. His dedication, humility, and unmatched standards became the foundation of how I work with my own clients today.The episode photo is of my parents in 2021, a reminder of their enduring love and shared journey. I hope this hour inspires those who care about heritage, family, and excellence in men’s fashion. This is the final part that will honor his legacy and tell his story—one garment, one philosophy, one generation at a time. 🔗  Follow Suitcafe Instagram: @suitcafe TikTok: @suit_cafe YouTube: Suitcafe Facebook: suitcafecom Website: www.suitcafe.com Meet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    49 min
  2. Paul Pravda My Father Has Passed Away A Personal Tribute

    2 JANV.

    Paul Pravda My Father Has Passed Away A Personal Tribute

    Send us a text This episode is personal. My father, Paul Pravda, passed away on December 12, 2025. If you’re listening to this, you probably knew him, or knew of him. And if not, I want you to. I recorded this to share what he stood for his philosophy on sales, the way he treated people, how he built his business from scratch in 1978 after learning the ropes with my grandfather in the 1950s and ’60s. They were traveling to Europe before anyone else in menswear was doing that, bringing back clothing and ideas no one here had seen. My father had an eye, he could feel quality. And more importantly, he knew how to give value to the customer. He didn’t follow trends. He set them. Long before luxury menswear was mainstream, he was bringing in the kind of pieces you now see in every high-end store. But for him, it was never about showing off it was about respect: for the product, for the craftsmanship, and for the man wearing it. This is the first of several episodes where I’ll talk honestly about who he was, what he believed, and how he shaped the way I see business, family, and what it means to do something right. No music, no editing, just me telling it straight. Meet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    1 h 5 min
  3. 15/08/2025

    Luxury Menswear Prices Out of Control? Brioni, Kiton, Cucinelli, Stories from the Inside

    Send us a text Prices are up. Way up. In this episode, I dive into the world I know best — luxury menswear — and talk about what’s really going on behind those skyrocketing suit prices. From brands I love and have worked with—Brioni, Kiton, Tom Ford, Canali, and Brunello Cucinelli—I give you an honest, insider’s take on what’s changed over the years, how the product has evolved, and whether these $10K+ suits are still worth it. You’ll hear personal stories, insights from inside the industry, and a true story involving none other than Alec Baldwin, told just the way it happened. If you’re into tailored clothing, Italian craftsmanship, or just wondering if high-end fashion has lost its mind—this one’s for you. 🎙️ Topics: Why prices have increased so dramatically What still makes these brands special How luxury tailoring has shifted post-pandemic Real talk about value, quality, and branding today 📲 Follow SuitCafe: Instagram: instagram.com/suitcafeFacebook: facebook.com/suitcafecomYouTube: youtube.com/@suitcafeTikTok: tiktok.com/@suit_cafeTwitter/X: twitter.com/suit_cafeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/suitcafeSubstack: suitcafe.substack.comWebsite: suitcafe.comMeet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    1 h 6 min
  4. 19/06/2025

    Pitti Uomo, Florence Italy- How Has It Changed in 45 Years, Menswear Trade Show

    Send us a text I’ve been going to Pitti Uomo in Florence for over 30 years — and it still gives me that same feeling every time I walk through the gates. In this episode, I’m sharing what Pitti means to me as someone who’s spent a lifetime in menswear — from growing up in my family’s retail stores to now running my own custom clothing business. I talk about how the show has changed (and how it hasn’t), the people you meet, the fabric houses I’ve worked with for decades, and why true style always comes back to authenticity. Whether you’ve been to Pitti or dream of going one day, I hope this gives you a sense of what it’s like — not just the suits and style, but the soul of it. Thanks for listening — Philip 🔗  Follow me and SuitCafe: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suitcafeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@suitcafeSubstack: https://suitcafe.substack.comWebsite: https://www.suitcafe.comTik Tok: http://www.tiktok.com/suit_cafeFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/suitcafecomMeet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    50 min
  5. 15/05/2025

    Philip Pravda Live: NYC Retail, Bagels, Custom Suits & Real Talk in the Rain

    Send us a text Take a walk with me through New York’s Upper West Side in the rain — no script, just real conversation. In this episode, I talk about the old Cafe Lalo, my years living on Riverside Drive, NYC’s changing neighborhoods, and what makes the West Side feel different. You’ll hear about: My stops at classic places like H&H Bagels and Barney GreengrassTales of sending bagels nationwide during my Periscope daysReal stories from my time on Madison and Fifth Avenue running multi-floor menswear storesCustom tailoring, $695 raincoats, and what’s coming this fall/winterObservations on the state of retail post-COVID — what’s real and what’s hypeGetting caught in the rain in a lightweight shell coat (with no umbrella, of course)This is a stream-of-consciousness walk through Manhattan — raw, real, and full of New York character. 🎧 Audio recorded live on TikTok 📍 Route: From Amsterdam & 86th → Central Park Transverse 🎙️ Hosted by Philip Pravda of Suitcafe — Learn more: www.suitcafe.com Instagram: @suitcafe TikTok: @suit_cafe 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@suitcafe Meet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    59 min
  6. 07/05/2025

    Philip Pravda is Live From Midtown Manhattan: Custom Fashion, Retail Legacy & Real Talk From Fifth Avenue

    Send us a text Walk with me through the streets of Midtown Manhattan — just blocks from where I ran custom clothing stores on Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue, some of the most expensive retail real estate in the world. This is a raw, live-recorded podcast from a New York City sidewalk, where I reflect on decades in fashion, retail, and custom menswear. From the story behind my $695 handmade raincoats to tales of $40,000 suits, vintage rent prices on Fifth Avenue, and my family’s generational roots in the clothing industry — this is the unfiltered perspective of a lifelong menswear entrepreneur. We talk about: 🗽 Life in New York’s Madison Ave & Fifth Ave Midtown 🧵 The process behind selling custom-made suits 🇮🇹 Italian mills, mink-lined coats & real tailoring versus made-in-China hype 📈 Pricing, tariffs, and why quality wins over marketing 📍 Flashbacks to former stores on Madison Ave and stories from 47th Street’s diamond dealers 💼 Doing business online, by appointment, and connecting with clients across the country 👞 A shoutout to new burnished leather shoes and style tips for dressing in the city 🎙️ Why I started this podcast: to show how anything “that’s been done before” can be done better This isn’t polished, filtered content. It’s storytelling from the sidewalk, mixed with business wisdom and street-smart style. — 📆 Recorded live: May 6, 2025 📱 Originally streamed via TikTok Live 🎧 Podcast by: Suitcafe 🎙️ Podcast Series: It’s All Been Done Before — 📍 Learn more or shop custom menswear at: 👉 https://suitcafe.com 📲 Follow Suitcafe on Social: 📸 Instagram: @suitcafe 🎥 TikTok: @suit_cafe 🧵 Threads: @suitcafe 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/suitcafecom 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@suitcafe Meet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    23 min
  7. 19/04/2025

    Live on TikTok Inside the Clothing Business: Stallone’s Suit, Shoplifting, and Real Retail Stories

    Send us a text In this episode, recorded live on TikTok, I share a real-world look at the clothing business — from managing production challenges to dealing with unexpected client issues. I talk about working with custom orders for high-profile clients, including a story about Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King suit fitting problems during filming in New York. I also dive into stories from the retail side: dealing with stolen credit cards, shoplifting incidents, and the realities no one tells you about running a customer-facing business. Whether you’re in fashion, retail, entrepreneurship, or just curious about the true behind-the-scenes experience, you’ll find honest lessons, unexpected stories, and insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Follow along for unfiltered talk about craftsmanship, resilience, and building a business when the unexpected is just part of the job. clothing businessSylvester StalloneTulsa Kingcustom suitsshoplifting storiesstolen credit cardsretail lifesmall business ownerfashion industryentrepreneurship journeyMeet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    3 h 42 min
  8. 10/03/2025

    Philip Pravda’s 4-Hour TikTok Livestream: Cashlana™ Suit Drop, Luxury Fabrics & Spring/Summer Styles, Menswear Q&A

    Send us a text On this episode of It’s All Been Done Before, we take you behind the scenes of our 4-hour TikTok Live Stream where we officially drop the brand-new Cashlana suit—a luxurious blend of Super 150s wool and cashmere—at just $495, with an exclusive $100 off using code CASH100. Throughout the live, we take real-time questions from viewers and dive into everything menswear—from custom suit construction to top-tier Italian labels like Zegna, Brioni, Canali, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, and Tom Ford. We also preview fresh spring/summer swatches, including new Irish linens, dynamic wrinkle-resistant linens, and other standout seasonal fabrics. If you’re into tailoring, fabric geekery, or just love a good fashion convo, this one’s for you. 🧵 Tailoring. Talk. TikTok energy. It’s all been done before—but not like this. 🔗 Connect with us: • TikTok: @suit_cafe • Instagram: @suitcafe • X / Twitter: @suit_cafe • Facebook: @suitcafecom Meet Your Host: Philip Pravda Philip Pravda, founder of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned menswear expert with over 35 years in the business and a family legacy dating back to 1908, when his ancestors first started selling men’s clothing in New York. His passion for luxury fashion, fine tailoring, and craftsmanship has made him a respected voice in the industry. Philip’s expertise extends beyond traditional menswear—his new collection includes handmade shoes and sneakers from Spain, fully customizable online, along with silk neckwear, pocket squares, and genuine crocodile belts. Each piece reflects his commitment to quality, elegance, and modern customization. Follow Philip on social media (@suitcafe on all platforms, especially YouTube & Instagram) for exclusive content on luxury fabrics, tailoring, and the ever-evolving menswear industry. Explore the collection at https://suitcafe.com

    3 h 58 min

À propos

Philip Pravda: A Legacy in Menswear, Reinvented for the Modern EraPhilip Pravda, founder and CEO of SuitCafe.com, is a seasoned expert in luxury menswear with over 35 years of experience in the industry. Coming from a long line of clothiers spanning generations, Philip grew up immersed in the world of fine tailoring, learning firsthand from his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His expertise in luxury Italian fabrics, custom suiting, and high-end fashion retail has made him a recognized name in the menswear business.For years, Philip owned and operated multiple luxury menswear boutiques on Madison and Fifth Avenue in New York City, catering to an elite clientele seeking premium craftsmanship. However, in 2014, recognizing the changing landscape of retail, he made a bold move—going online with his business. This transition allowed him to bring high-quality, custom Italian-made suits directly to discerning customers worldwide.Philip’s journey is a testament to innovation within tradition. While the foundation of his business remains rooted in classic tailoring, he has redefined what it means to sell luxury menswear in the digital age. Through SuitCafe.com, he provides personalized service, expert guidance, and exclusive made-in-Italy pieces crafted from the finest fabrics. His deep knowledge of fabric sourcing, tailoring, and modern retail strategies has positioned him as a thought leader in the evolving menswear market.Philip also shares his insights through his podcast, “It’s All Been Done Before,” where he explores how entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry professionals reinvent themselves in an ever-changing world. His debut episode flips the script—he is the one being interviewed, sharing his experiences, challenges, and strategies for success. Future episodes will feature conversations with colleagues, customers, and friends from various industries, uncovering how they overcame the notion that “it’s all been done before” to carve out their own unique paths.Whether through custom luxury suiting, digital innovation, or thought leadership, Philip Pravda continues to prove that while the fundamentals of business may not change, there is always a new way to do it better, smarter, and with your own signature style.