Your measurements, not a size chart
We take twelve measurements before cutting a single centimetre of fabric. The result sits differently from anything you have worn off a rack.
Cut foryou. Onlyyou.
The studiobehind thestitch
Elk Pegasus is a small bespoke swimwear studio in Ideguchi, Nobeoka, in the south of Miyazaki Prefecture. Every piece starts with twelve measurements and a toile, a trial garment in plain fabric, so the pattern is drawn around one person instead of being scaled from a size chart. Clients near Nobeoka come to the studio by appointment; clients elsewhere in Japan fit the toile at home over a video call.
What we offer
What makes a bespoke piece different
Italian stretch fabrics
Our base fabrics are Italian-made stretch fabrics, chosen to be chlorine-resistant and UV-protective and to hold their shape through a full season of use. Ask us what is in the studio right now.
Three fittings, no exceptions
Every commission goes through an initial drape, a toile fitting, and a final check before the finished piece is handed over. We do not skip steps.
From the journal
Recent writing
2026-09-20
How to pack and travel with luxury swimwear
A bespoke swimsuit represents a significant investment of time and money. Packing it carelessly for a trip can undo months of careful construction in a single flight. This article covers how to pack swimwear so it arrives in the same condition it left the studio.
Read more →2026-09-06
How to choose fabric for a bespoke swimsuit
Fabric choice is the decision most clients find hardest. The options are wider than they expect, the terminology is unfamiliar, and the stakes feel high because the fabric is the most visible part of the finished piece. This guide covers the main categories of swimwear fabric, what the specifications mean in practice, and how to think about the choice before a first consultation.
Read more →2026-08-25
Bespoke swimwear versus ready-to-wear: an honest comparison
The case for bespoke swimwear is not simply that it is more expensive or more exclusive. It is that ready-to-wear swimwear is sized for a statistical average, and most bodies are not average in every dimension simultaneously. This article looks at where the difference matters and where it does not.
Read more →Who
The studio
Nobeoka, Miyazaki
Elk Pegasus works on a small scale on purpose. Patterns are drawn, cut and sewn at the studio in Ideguchi, and a commission is taken on only when there is room to give it proper attention, so the first reply to your message may include a suggested start date instead of an immediate one. The method is the same for every piece: measure carefully, test the pattern in a toile, then cut the final fabric once the fit is settled.
Frequently asked
Common questions
How long does a full bespoke commission take from first contact to finished piece?
For in-person clients in Nobeoka, the process runs four to six weeks: an initial consultation, a toile fitting two to three weeks later, and a final collection appointment. Remote commissions add about a week for postage each way, so allow six to eight weeks in total. We will give you a specific timeline at the first consultation.
Can I commission a piece if I am not based in Nobeoka?
Yes. Remote commissions are a normal part of how the studio works. We post a measurement guide, you take your measurements at home, and we arrange a video call to go through them together. A toile is then posted to you for a home fitting before the final piece is made. It works well for most designs.