A beloved Singapore tailor is celebrating its 48th year this year! We catch up with its founder and his daughter to uncover what’s behind their success and passion.
Looking for a traditional Singapore tailor or a tailor for ladies in Singapore? A name that comes up often is Meiko Tailor. The tailoring house has been a go-to for quality bespoke suits, tailored shirts and everything in between since its inception in November 1977 as a tiny shop at Geylang Lorong 3, thanks to the masterful hands of founder Chung Chi Kwong (affectionately known as Uncle Chung). Now with his daughter Adele working alongside him, the family business is only going from strength to strength.
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with this father-daughter duo at their Pan Pacific atelier, where they often work well into the night. Here, shelves are lined with lush fabrics from renowned mills like Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Holland & Sherry and Scabal. There are also framed photos of distinguished clients alongside Uncle Chung, who remains the master draftsman and cutter behind every piece. This day, even a former cabinet minister, who has been a regular customer for 30 years, popped in to pick up his suit! Here, the pair chat about their journey and vision for the future.
Meiko Tailor is celebrating its 48th year of operations this year. What have been some standout moments for you?
Uncle Chung: I started my tailoring apprenticeship back in the 1960s, so I’ve been in this trade for more than 50 years. Our family wasn’t well-off. As the eldest, I had to start working at a young age to help my parents support the family.
Tailoring is hard work. It involves long hours and constant use of your hands, eyes and mind because you’re always calculating measurements and planning the perfect fit. That’s a tailor’s life.
Certainly, there have been challenges in starting and sustaining the business. But we’ve also had many milestones and memorable moments over the years. For us, the most important thing has always been ensuring that every customer is satisfied and that our work is respected.
One of the standout moments in my life was when my wife and I welcomed our first child, Adele, not long after we opened our first store. It was tough juggling parenthood and a new business, but there was also immense joy. We also had a good run in the 1980s and 1990s when we custom-made suits and styled local celebrities for TV Chinese drama serials, including The Unbeatables. That was an exciting period for us and a turning point in how the market started noticing us.
We’re especially grateful to have been operating at the Pan Pacific Singapore since the hotel opened in 1986. And we’re still here today, like an extension of the hotel’s services to its guests. We’re very happy that our regular customers keep coming back. Some overseas customer actually choose to stay at the hotel when they are here on business so it’s convenient for their fittings.
Meiko Tailor recently unveiled its first men’s and women’s haute couture collection. How did that come about?
Adele: We were grateful to be shortlisted by Design Orchard and UltraLuxe festival, and had the opportunity to participate in the latter in October 2024. Shortly after, we were invited by SilkRoad Maritime Fashion Week to present our designs on the runway alongside some of China’s renowned designers. We certainly wanted to showcase what Meiko Tailor, as a Singaporean homegrown tailoring house, can offer beyond classic bespoke menswear tailoring.
We’re always looking to innovate and try new things. It was also a great collaboration with my dad. I designed the couture pieces, drawing inspiration from fabrics and themes I had in mind. Meanwhile, my dad drafted, cut and brought the designs to life. Staying true to our commitment to craftsmanship, workmanship and premium quality, the haute couture collection offers both aesthetic appeal and functionality, blending fabrics with traditional techniques. For example, our denim men’s suits are conscious fashion pieces made using excess Loro Piana denim stored in our workshop.
Bespoke couture begins with a conversation, when customers tell us they can’t find what they’re looking for and ask, “Can you design something for me?” This truly embodies the essence of what we do – it’s all about slow fashion.
Beyond traditional menswear tailoring, Meiko Tailor has become a go-to tailor for ladies in Singapore over the last few years. Tell us more about this expansion.
Adele: We have noticed that women who come to us for tailored womenswear are seeking well-fitting, high-quality and versatile garments. Women appreciate versatility and the ability to extend the wear of a single suit through various combinations. This is where I come in – to curate the design, engage in a conversation with the ladies and create designs tailored to their needs. The process is similar to how we approach men’s suits, but there are more design options, styles and fabric combinations to explore. That’s the fun part!
Whether it’s a two-piece or a three-piece set that includes a jacket, trousers and a skirt; a jacket, a dress and trousers; or even just a blazer dress, they can maximise the wear of each piece and, most importantly, build a wardrobe of garments that fit them perfectly.
Did you always know you wanted to join the family business?
Adele: No, I actually worked in corporate for many years. In my 40s I reached a crossroads. I was exploring life coaching – I’m a certified Gallup coach – and image consulting while assisting with the family business.
One day over a family lunch, my five-year-old niece asked my dad, “Gong gong (grandfather), how many customers did you have yesterday?” She rarely sees my dad because he comes home late and often works until midnight. This moment deeply impacted me. I understood that I couldn’t juggle two careers, so I decided to join the family business full-time in June 2018. I’m driven by purpose and, for me, that purpose was returning to the family business. I wanted to ensure that by the time my niece turns 21, the business would still be thriving and she would understand why her gong gong worked such long hours.
As I became more involved, I began to truly understand and appreciate the craftsmanship. Then, when I started designing, my passion and purpose intertwined. My background in coaching and image styling provides a valuable perspective. Tailoring is more than just creating suits and trousers; it’s about building relationships with our customers. There’s a personal touch in everything we do.
I am still learning and wouldn’t consider myself a master tailor. I’ve always called myself “the tailor’s daughter”. However, as I spent more time in the business, I felt the desire to create my own women’s label. That’s why I launched Adorn & Co, a bespoke womenswear label, two years ago.
Although it operates within the same tailoring house, we aim to establish a separate identity as a leading tailor for ladies in Singapore while upholding our core values: bespoke, pre-ordered and fully custom-made. We create a sample and, if you approve, we produce it in your size using your chosen fabrics. This approach also aligns with our commitment to sustainability by minimising mass production. Adorn & Co is about collaborating with you to create the perfect garment exclusively for you.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your father?
Adele: His fussiness with details! He does not compromise on quality and takes it upon himself to ensure that every customer receives a garment they can truly be proud of. This dedication to excellence is something I deeply admire. He’s also incredibly patient, a quality that has taught me a great deal about business integrity and social intelligence. My father believes that every person who walks into our store, regardless of their intention to purchase or not, deserves the utmost respect and service from us.
Uncle Chung: The very act of tailoring is a profound exercise in patience. Without it, creating a truly exceptional piece is impossible. Rushing the process inevitably results in subpar work. Tailoring requires meticulous attention and often multiple adjustments to achieve the desired outcome. Impatience will never lead to success in this field.
What keeps you motivated as a Singapore tailor, Uncle Chung?
Uncle Chung: The continued appreciation and support of our loyal clientele drive me forward. People often suggest that I retire, given my age, but tailoring remains a source of immense joy for me. It’s more than just a job, it’s a passion. Now that Adele has joined the business, I find renewed motivation in supporting her and ensuring a smooth transition for the future. I feel incredibly fortunate that she’s chosen to carry on the family legacy. I’m proud to say that our business has regained momentum under her care. We’re not just an old traditional tailor for men, but a tailor for ladies in Singapore and one with modern fashion sensibilities.
What is next for Meiko Tailor?
Adele: Our commitment to quality, customer service and ensuring the continued success of our family business remains unwavering. Expanding our team and diversifying our service offerings in womenswear as a leading tailor for ladies in Singapore, as well as business casual wear and conscious fashion will be key priorities for 2025 to cater to evolving customer needs. We will soon have a new space to house our new lines of tailored apparel in a modern and inviting setting.
Ultimately, our goal is to build a lasting legacy by fostering long-term customer relationships. We envision a future of SG60 (the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence) and beyond, where generations of families pass down the tradition of utilising our tailoring services – from fathers to their sons and grandsons, and even to their daughters and granddaughters. We hope these families will recognise us as their trusted Singapore tailor for all their milestone occasions, such as weddings, graduations and anniversaries. We’re confident they will remember us and continue to return to us for years to come.
Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, #02-01
6334 6911 | WhatsApp 8180 6418 (for appointments)
meikotailor.com
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