He’s been featured as one of America’s best-dressed real men by Esquire, but Angel Ramos actually didn’t begin his career as a clothier. During his time living in Atlanta in the mid-aughts, Ramos was actually in real estate at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty working with some of our city’s best-known agents. He even applied for a position at two of Atlanta’s most-well-known men’s brands. “One of the brands refused me, saying, ‘You’re just not the right look for us,’ which seemed depressing, but it was what I needed to hear at the time,” he says. Ramos started his brand, Angel Bespoke, almost in defiance. Now, rebranded as 18th Amendment (eighteenthamendment.com) in honor of Ramos’ fascination with the Prohibition era, the dapper dresser and keen businessman is ushering in a new phase. He’s partnered with investor and tech executive Stephen Schweickart, and the duo aims to bring what Ramos calls a “sort of Lucky Luciano-meets-Basquiat” feel to their first collection under the new name. As for what’s trending, Ramos has opinions: “We don’t do trends; we love the timeless. You’ll always see us draped in flannel and cashmere during the fall.”
To his point, Ramos’ favorite piece from the new collection is “our house blazer ($1,295), made in our signature exploded black-and-white glen plaid.” The by-appointment-only fittings feature up to 30 body measurements, and celebrity fans include the likes of Tom Hanks, Geoffrey Zakarian, Atlanta’s own Alton Brown and more. “Our clients come from a wide range of successful professional backgrounds,” says Ramos. Regardless, “they want to stand out within their peer groups. All enjoy the art behind putting together their sartorial uniform for the day.” Check out 18th Amendment’s trunk show at e St. Regis Atlanta Nov. 7 and 8, and be sure to ask for information on the upcoming collaboration with menswear footwear giant Stubbs and Wooton.