(Credit: Chris Casella)

If you compare Gary Jones’ life to a business suit, one might say that it's tailor made.

Every thread of the custom clothier’s life has been methodically woven into the fabric of a talented and driven “suit engineer,” as he refers to himself.

Growing up in a religious family, the Columbus native was accustomed to putting on his Sunday best. However, it wasn’t until Jones received an unexpected reaction to his GQ-esque senior pictures that he realized he had a natural knack for dressing well. Combine that with an entrepreneurial spirit and the desire to help others, and Jones’ career path was clear.

Before starting his own company, Jones Select, in 2010, Jones reached out to a tailor in Los Angeles and worked under a mentor for more than seven years, learning the trade and building a clientele. Today, Jones Select offers customs suits, dress shirts, ties and monogram services. A standard suit delivery takes about four to five weeks from start to finish, with pricing that begins at $599.

Jones’ focus goes beyond outfitting the man; his aim is to help brand the man.

“I’ve learned that people oftentimes buy you before they buy your product,” he said. “First impressions are lasting impressions and it’s my focus to assist in the process of dressing by building a person’s wardrobe and taking away that worry.”

This month, (614) goes behind the seams with a Gary Jones of Jones Select Custom Clothiers.

Who is the Jones Select man?

Jones Select provides a contemporary look for the upscale man. My mantra is ‘stand out or fit in,’ so the Jones Select man is very confident and comfortable with who he is.

What do you enjoy most about your profession?

The best part of what I do is working with clients from infancy starting with a vision, building their wardrobe and then being able to see the client walk out the door with the confidence to take over the world as a result of looking and feeling their best.

If you weren’t building custom suits, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t in fashion, I’d be a coach. I’ve always had an affinity for sports, as well as the urge to empower and encourage others.

If you could dress anyone in Columbus who would it be and why?

Mayor Michael Coleman. He’s one of the longest-tenured mayors in the country and has done some great things for the city. As a Columbus native, it would be an honor to merge talents, look after his wardrobe and be able to add some innovation to what he’s already doing in the realm of business attire.

What is the future of Jones Select?

In the future, we will branch out to other cities and make Jones Select a premier company throughout the U.S. We plan to do some phenomenal and innovative things within the tailoring business, but we will always call Columbus our home base.

Jones is pictured wearing a Jones Select suit, dress shirt, bow tie and Mezlan shoes.