Thrill to threads? You simply must meet Sam the Tailor

Sam Fits Intrepid Correspondent Stephanie Oswald - 31 sec./1.4M QT Movie

March 6, 1997

(CNN) -- Connoisseurs of custom-made clothing say few places are better-suited to a thrill for threads than Hong Kong. For many, a trip would not be complete without a visit to a tailor known simply as "Sam," who is almost as famous as his clientele.

Manu Melwani, the proprietor of "Sam's Tailor," has been stitching his way to success for almost 40 years and is now part of the fabric of the Hong Kong fashion world. Humble and hospitable, he has outfitted legendary political and social figures, from royalty of the entertainment world to residents of the White House and Buckingham Palace.

Power suits

Former U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George Bush, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, and singers Michael Jackson and David Bowie are just a few of the famous figures who've called on Sam.

Star or not, everyone follows the same pattern for a fitting at Sam's. The first steps include choosing a fabric and style. Dozens of colors, 2,500 types of fabric and a variety of looks -- from casual to dressy -- are offered.

Thirty-two measurements are used to ensure an excellent fit. Once taken they're recorded in Sam's book, so the next personalized creation is just a phone call away.

After the specifications are finalized, this master wardrobe architect begins to build. Sam says he can finish an outfit in 24 hours, but that the perfect fit takes at least two fittings and several days. Travelers hoping to get custom-made clothes in Hong Kong should make a tailor one of their first stops.