Kenji Tanaka | Founder & Creative Director
Elegance does not begin with fabric, nor does it end with a finished garment.
It begins with understanding how a person moves, lives, and wishes to present themselves to the world.
That belief has guided Kenji Tanaka throughout more than two decades dedicated to menswear design, pattern making, and garment development.
After graduating from Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, one of Japan’s most respected fashion institutions, Kenji began his career working with companies specializing in menswear, leather garments, and large-scale apparel production.
From the very beginning, his focus was never simply on fashion trends, but on the architecture of clothing itself. Pattern making, proportion, functionality, and construction became the foundation of his work.
Throughout his career in Japan, he developed menswear and womenswear collections, supervised international production processes, and collaborated with manufacturers across Asia. These experiences provided him with a comprehensive understanding of every stage of garment creation, from concept development to final production.
Between 2005 and 2007, Kenji lived in London, where he further expanded his perspective on menswear and European sartorial culture. Experiencing both Japanese and European design traditions helped shape a philosophy that values timeless elegance, functionality, and attention to detail.
His work has also been recognized through participation and nominations in international fashion competitions and exhibitions in Japan and Europe, contributing to a broader understanding of the global fashion industry.
Later, he established himself in Colombia, where he continued developing collections and products for leading companies within the fashion and apparel sector. Over the years, he has worked across design, product development, research and development, international production, and creative direction.
His professional experience also includes teaching pattern making and garment construction, sharing technical knowledge with emerging designers and industry professionals.
In 2014, Kenji founded Uniontailors with a clear vision: to create a menswear brand where technical precision, functionality, and elegance coexist in balance. Over the following years, he continued refining the identity of the brand while expanding his professional experience and developing his own perspective on contemporary menswear.
In 2019, Uniontailors officially began commercial operations. Since then, the brand has focused on luxury menswear, bespoke and made-to-measure garments, and a highly personalized experience for each client.
Today, from Bogotá, Colombia, Kenji continues to lead Uniontailors as Founder and Creative Director, remaining actively involved in the design, development, and construction of every collection.
His work reflects the convergence of three influences that have shaped his journey: Japanese precision, European sartorial tradition, and the warmth and character of Latin America.
Rather than following trends, his goal is to create garments that remain relevant for years to come.
Because true quality rarely needs to announce itself. It reveals itself in the details.