The Hong Kong Tailors Thread

[tchoy]

I'll just make it brief since it's a little bit of topic.

In terms of handwork both are excellent with Bn you can ask for optional extra handwork. Both have excellent fit as you would expect for bespoke. I like the styling better on my Bn stuff, they do the spalls camicia better than WW Chan.
The guys at Bn are young and very motivated and often travels to Italy to learn more on how to better their craft. Price wise both houses are very similar.

I have gotten great service from both houses but as I mentioned above there have been changes at WW Chan, their reluctance to except CMT is a big minus for me, one of the reason I started to look for a alternate tailor. Two fitting are schedule with your appointment while in the old days there was no restrictions on fittings. If you ask them to make something that is not within their house style they may very well refuse you. I find Bn more flexible in that regard.

I will continued to use WW Chan but I must admit I am really happy working with Bn and I can see majority of my commissions will be coming from them in the future.

 

[TheTukker]

Many thanks Tchoy - I see a lot of BNT's work online and it's looks pretty terrific. Not much chance of me heading their way, but if they were to start traveling...

 

[32-20]

Hello all,

Anyone have any recent experience with Y William Yu in Hong Kong? I am looking to have two good suits made while I am in HK for a week coming up and want to make the most of my visit, as well as get the best value for my money. YWY appears to be 4/6 the cost of Chan and 4/5 the cost of Gordon Yao.

I am good to go with YWY or should I pony up the extra money for Chan or Yao as I may not get back to HK anytime soon. Anyone with recent experience and/or options re: these tailors would be very much appreciated.

thx.

YWY is legit. I asked about fusing etc. and their default is canvassing; I provided a printout of my style specifications, and they followed it faithfully; at the fittings, they prompted me for my opinion on subtler stylistic details (skirt length, lapel width.) I think it was Andy who suggested a slightly higher button stance, and basically asked for the go-ahead, rather than making presumptions; also slightly longer jacket sleeves. I assented to these suggestions to good effect. In short, it's a nice bespoke experience, though I think better for a customiser than someone who wants a house style. I went with Harris tweed (the real stuff,) so it's hard to judge the relative softness or hardness of their cut, since I'm basically wearing cloth armour.

 

[GBR]



YWY is legit. I asked about fusing etc. and their default is canvassing; I provided a printout of my style specifications, and they followed it faithfully; at the fittings, they prompted me for my opinion on subtler stylistic details (skirt length, lapel width.) I think it was Andy who suggested a slightly higher button stance, and basically asked for the go-ahead, rather than making presumptions; also slightly longer jacket sleeves. I assented to these suggestions to good effect. In short, it's a nice bespoke experience, though I think better for a customiser than someone who wants a house style. I went with Harris tweed (the real stuff,) so it's hard to judge the relative softness or hardness of their cut, since I'm basically wearing cloth armour.

How detailed is your style specification?

 

[tchoy]



Many thanks Tchoy - I see a lot of BNT's work online and it's looks pretty terrific. Not much chance of me heading their way, but if they were to start traveling...

You never know if they will ever travel to the U.S. but at the moment they are pretty busy doing local stuff. Patrick Johnson another tailor I used for some casual stuff are travelling to the US soon for trunk shows.

 

[TheTukker]



You never know if they will ever travel to the U.S. but at the moment they are pretty busy doing local stuff. Patrick Johnson another tailor I used for some casual stuff are travelling to the US soon for trunk shows.

Many thanks Tchoy - saw that too and while I like PJ's work, don't really think he's in the same league as BNT as he seems to be doing more MTM. Could be wrong though.

 

[add911_11]

Cross post from the tweed thread

 

[borbor]

what cloth is that may I ask

 

[add911_11]



what cloth is that may I ask

thats a random new wool tweed I brought from Brookster before its bankruptcy. I only knew this is from Scotland.

 

[32-20]

How detailed is your style specification?

Quite detailed. I provided a scrapsheet of example photos - a gorge height example, Jim Cagney raising his arms in a jacket with gloriously high armholes, a picture of some Phineas Cole open quarters, a H. Huntsman straight shoulder; and a pic of double vents, as I wasn't sure of the fluency levels before I went in. The only thing they couldn't do on the sheet was a biswing, which is to say, shoulder pleats. Well, Andy advised against it with thick fabric, and I took this to be a characteristically Chinese way of saying "I can't do this" without losing face. In fairness, a dishonest tailor would have assured me he could do it, let his workers bungle a feature they were unfamiliar with, and nodded all the way to the bank.
We were also able to discuss things I couldn't find photos for, the like cuff button configuration.

 

[porcupine85]

I went there once (ywy). The experience wasn't stellar compared to ww chan. That said maybe it was just me not being able to get my message across and forgetting to specify.

 

[Digital Man]

Just a follow up regarding my Gordon Yao purchase in November ..................

As noted earlier, paid them a visit for the 1st time Sat. 11/23 for a measurement for a suit and (3) Thomas Mason shirts, returned Monday for a fitting and that was it. Gordon was in the US at the time so the initial measurement was done by a gentleman manning the store at the time followed by a fitting from who I gathered to be their main tailor.

Was a bit concerned that: A. I was only getting one fitting and B. Gordon was on the other side of the globe.

Suit was their entry level VBC Super 110 in Plain Blue and shirts were all cotton Thomas Mason. Total cost 10,000 HKD

Package received 12/29 so just a month including delivery.

I must say I am very impressed with the workmanship and fit of all items especially considering only one fitting. The only noticeable issue was a bit of a mismatch in sleeve lengths but that can be easily remedied. I just love the fit of the shirts and the suit but I must say I did not go into this with a lot of requests or requirements. I basically just wanted their "house" fit and I'm very pleased with it. Here's a few snaps ............ you be the judge.

 

[GBR]



Just a follow up regarding my Gordon Yao purchase in November .................. As noted earlier, paid them a visit for the 1st time Sat. 11/23 for a measurement for a suit and (3) Thomas Mason shirts, returned Monday for a fitting and that was it. Gordon was in the US at the time so the initial measurement was done by a gentleman manning the store at the time followed by a fitting from who I gathered to be their main tailor. Was a bit concerned that: A. I was only getting one fitting and B. Gordon was on the other side of the globe. Suit was their entry level VBC Super 110 in Plain Blue and shirts were all cotton Thomas Mason. Total cost 10,000 HKD Package received 12/29 so just a month including delivery. I must say I am very impressed with the workmanship and fit of all items especially considering only one fitting. The only noticeable issue was a bit of a mismatch in sleeve lengths but that can be easily remedied. I just love the fit of the shirts and the suit but I must say I did not go into this with a lot of requests or requirements. I basically just wanted their "house" fit and I'm very pleased with it. Here's a few snaps ............ you be the judge.

That's a very commendable suit and typical of GY's quality. Were you measured by Peter Pak? How many back pockets and inside pockets does he provide as standard - mine are specified but I would be curious to know what his 'norm' is?

 

[GBR]



Cross post from the tweed thread

Who is the tailor? Have you done more detailed photographs - your expositions on Grantham Brown were very interesting.

 

[add911_11]



Who is the tailor? Have you done more detailed photographs - your expositions on Grantham Brown were very interesting.

I have plenty of pics about this tailor on my tumblr 'obiter dictum'

He is my most trusted bespoke master. He is located in Causeway Bay Hong kong, very old school and no website.

He specialise in pagoda shoulders, although he can execute any shoulder well. I have big upper arms so I am not easy to work with and I must select the right person in order to get it right.