It was about time I put a face to the tailor behind all of the projects this blog has been witness to. I spent many an afternoon hanging out at my tailor's when I was home for the holidays, and I thought of snapping some photos around the shop to share with you, my dear readers.With a crown in the logo and the words "haute couture", my tailor's storefront is what I'd call humbly bold.
Mang Jun is master cutter and owner of Toppers, and is the only person I deal with when having my kooky clothing concoctions created. He is ace at fitting, but don't hesitate to go down to the smallest detail with him to have your garment look exactly the way you want it.Mang Jun with the same comical smile he flashes when I haggle with him for discounts
And for a little tour of the shop:swatches of suiting materialbolts of shirting fabric in different shades of whiteand even more fabric to be fashioned into anything you imagine. I've got my eyes set on that green sandwiched between two blacks.alteration notes over age-old clippings for inspirationa shirt with a note to "put botton hole"Mang Jun at work
Inside the workroom:sewing machines and alphabetized shelves for every customer's last nameMang Jun's wife, a head seamstress, at workan exquisitely embroidered Barong Tagalog (the Philippine national costume) freshly finishedlooking out onto busy Katipunan Avenue
The scene outside:the auto repair shop right beside my tailor'ssleepy dogs and plants potted in plastic bags
I had been calling the shop's poorly-attended line to follow up on orders that were a little late, and after a bit of persistence, finally got them to deliver the last few pairs of pants they had to finish. I came home with this:What they might lack in punctuality and refinement, they make up for with a down-to-earth and almost cheeky sense of customer service.
I love my tailor and it's high time you find the one you'd adore yourself.
Toppers Gent's Haute Couture2277-D Katipunan Rd.Loyola Heights, Quezon CityPhilippinestelephone: +6324367938
For my tips on getting things tailor-made, check out The Dandy Project Guide to Getting Things Tailor-made.