Sew far, sew good
As traditional Hong Kong tailors find ways to reach younger audiences, avant-garde fashion designers are reinterpreting beloved staples. Rebecca Lo turns the spotlight on the current state of the city's rag trade.
"My grandfather's apprentice is still working here today," Chang notes. "When I became the boss, there was a bit of pushback from staff members who'd been here since before I was born. I may not know how to hold a tailor's chalk the right way, but I show them that I am just as passionate about our suits as they are."
It's late afternoon and, at the Hung Hom factory, one tailor is embroidering an intricate monogram on a shirt with colorful thread, while another is chalking fine Italian cashmere for a pair of pants. The shirt studio is filled to the rafters with bolts of fabric standing ready for a sharp pair of scissors.
"I love that Americans consider it a family event to get suits made," Chang says. "These are nice relationships that we continue to cultivate over the decades."
He recounts the memorable challenge of fitting the right jacket cut for a New York symphonic conductor. The key, it turns out, was to ensure the client looked flawless with his arms in motion. As Chang explains, "The jacket looks a bit odd when he lowers his arms, but is perfect while he is conducting an orchestra."
