Behind the Brand
Alex Bodikian: A Legacy in Fashion, Tailoring, and Textiles
Alex Bodikian’s journey in fashion is one deeply rooted in heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation. As a fourth-generation member of a distinguished fashion family, his expertise spans across tailoring, textiles, and design.
A Family Legacy in Textiles
The Bodikian family has long been synonymous with luxury textiles. Alex’s grandfather was a British wool merchant in Cyprus during the 1940s and 1950s, supplying some of the finest wools to leading garment makers. Recognised for his shrewd commercial business acumen and keen eye for fine design and luxury, he was invited by the owners of Bruck and Engleman mill in the late 1950s to move to Huddersfield, England, and take over its operations & ownership. Under his leadership, the family employed over 450 staff while solidifying their reputation as the premier manufacturers of high-end English fabrics. The mill had a strong reputation for supplying top-tier fabric to Savile Row tailors and high-end fashion houses worldwide. Bruck & Engleman was renowned for some of the finest cloth weaving and finishing in the world.
Alex’s father expanded this legacy, establishing Charles Clayton, a renowned English mill that became a global benchmark for luxury superfine worsted suiting fabrics. The mill was especially known for lightweight worsteds, superfine suiting cloths (Super 120s, 150s, 180s and above), and exclusive limited editions of premium fabrics. Charles Clayton fabrics were widely recognised for their exceptional softness, drape, and performance, making them a favourite among bespoke tailors and luxury brands.
Under his direction, Charles Clayton supplied the world’s most prestigious designers and luxury brands, from Tom Ford, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren to Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Lanvin, Dunhill, Brioni, Kiton and many more renowned fashion houses.
Charles Clayton wasn't just a fabric supplier — it was a mark of quality known among connoisseurs and tailoring insiders around the world. In the world of luxury textiles, a Charles Clayton fabric label carried prestige, signaling excellence in every tailored piece.
Charles Clayton remained a family-owned mill until its sale in 2010, after decades of global success.
The Soul behind the Style
Growing up in this rich creative environment, Alex developed an early appreciation for luxury materials and garment construction. His journey into tailoring began under the mentorship of industry legends. He trained at Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco, a revered name in luxury menswear. Further refining his craft, he completed a tailoring apprenticeship at Oxxford Clothes in Chicago, one of the last bastions of handmade American tailoring. He continued at Parsons School of Design in New York, where he deepened his expertise in fashion design, honing the tradition of tailoring with design modernity.
At the age of 24, Alex launched his own tailoring brand, dedicated to handmade bespoke clothing. His designs were quickly recognised for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, leading him to cultivate a clientele that appreciated the artistry of refined deconstructed tailoring.
The Evolution into Modern Design
Beyond traditional tailoring, Alex has long been fascinated by the evolution of menswear and the intersection between heritage craftsmanship and contemporary fashion. This passion led him to explore re-engineering garments, blending traditional luxury tailoring with modern streetwear aesthetics.
This fusion gave birth to Wo-Ma, his current venture—a unisex fashion collection that embodies minimalism, craftsmanship, and versatility.
With Wo-Ma, Alex is redefining the design of clothing by re-engineering vintage pieces whilst also creating bespoke, made-to-measure, and ready-to-wear collections. Every piece is meticulously crafted in England, staying true to the principles of quality, sustainability, and timeless design. The brand embraces blending minimalist design elements with advanced techniques such as laser printing denim combined with hand painted panels for details effects, which introduces a new bold, artistic edge to luxury tailoring.
From Concept to Creation
Wo-Ma is not just a brand—it is an evolution of Alex’s deep rooted expertise in luxury fashion and textiles, merged with the demands of a new, modern clientele. The collection champions versatility and inclusivity, embracing a unisex aesthetic that fits into both avant garde fashion and everyday wear. He maintains the artisanal quality that has been synonymous with his family’s name for generations, while introducing progressive silhouettes, high-tech fabric treatments, and a fresh approach to contemporary luxury.
Wo-Ma is an androgynous style, founded in London, which is designed for the individual and to empower the wearer. Designed for the non-conformist and discerning customer who is searching for clothes that reflect their true character ethos and inner confidence.
The oversized nature and style is designed to convey a style and mood which is completely relaxed and non constrictive. Designed to give the wearer an enhanced feeling of comfort with a wearable dramatic style removing all tension. Details have all been carefully considered for a customer who prefers their clothes to imbue a lasting impression.
Attention to detail with raw edging, contrast fabric paneling, textured layering and asymmetric block designs are detailed throughout the timeless range. The androgynous unisex style is reflected in the foundation of our name, Wo-Ma.
Alex continues to shape the unisex fashion design — one tailored, re-imagined piece at a time.