Tom’s Sons International began as a family-run business focusing on fabric pleating in 1931, but its roots run much deeper. The precursors to the business began with textile manufacturing in Armenia around 1880. Branches run by family members were opened in France, Syria, Lebanon and New York, where the operations worked in a range of textile production, including dyeing, sewing, jacquard weaving and pleating. Later generations began to perfect the pleating process. By the time the current iteration of the atelier was opened under the name given by Thomas Kalajian's three sons, the focus had shifted entirely to pleating.

Today Tom’s Sons International pleats fabric for high-end fashion, homes, and Hollywood blockbuster movie costumes. The atelier also works with individuals, and has recently relaunched Tom’s fashion line, Pierre Labiche, the family label that was popular through the 1970s and 1980s. Archaeological evidence suggests that pleating is the oldest form of fabric manipulation. Though aspects of the actual pleating process are trade secrets, more about the history of pleating and the nuances of this art form can be found in Pleating: Fundamentals for Fashion Design, which was written by one of Tom’s sons, Leon, and Leon’s son and current owner, George Kalajian.