The contract is somewhat significant, given that the small business students who run Critisized weren’t approached last autumn when their own study programme (which is now called entrepreneurship) came out with a similar offer. Entrepreneurship went with the larger company SuitSupply, thanks in part to the success of an earlier scheme in sports marketing (a sister study programme at COM).

Disappointed

Alessandro Joia and Wanissa Phromson of competitor Critisized were disappointed when they weren’t approached. ‘Of course, the one who has the best bid gets the job,’ they responded at the time. ‘But we were deeply disappointed that the entrepreneurship study programme, which positions itself as a hands-on programme, didn’t give one of its own a seat at the table.’
For the young start-up, the fact that student association RISA has come to Critisized now has made amends. Joia: ‘This is a way for us to prove that smaller businesses can also dress young professionals.’

Taking measurements

The company will be bringing six employees to Kralingse Zoom at the beginning of March to take the measurements of interested students. During the measurement sessions, a two-piece bespoke suit for ladies or gentlemen will be 299.95 euro, which includes a made-to-measure shirt.
The price, the custom tailoring, and the connection to the university were all reasons for RISA to choose Critisized, says RISA’s Paul de Graaff. He estimates that around 10 percent of the RBS’ 3,500 students and employees will be inclined to buy a suit. De Graaff: ‘But it’s a major purchase for students who are well known for their tight budgets. That’s why it’s difficult to judge how much interest there will actually be.’

Text: Jos van Nierop
Illustration: Demian Janssen