The best tailors in Asia and their unrivalled craftsmanship

Asia is home to some of the world’s finest tailors. From the storied legacy of Hong Kong's tailoring houses to the precision of Japan's bespoke suits, these ateliers exemplify exceptional skills.

In the 1960s, Hong Kong emerged as a leading force in the Asian tailoring scene. The bustling metropolis attracted a diverse clientele of businessmen, diplomats, celebrities, and expatriates, creating a unique environment where East met West. Whilst the city established itself as an international finance and tourism hub, Hong Kong tailors capitalised on its cosmopolitan atmosphere, offering an irresistible combination of reasonable price, well-paced turnaround times, and exceptional quality. However, the notion of quality tailoring has spread across Asia, highlighting a blend of young and old establishments in Singapore, Korea, Shanghai, and Japan, each bringing their unique flair to the table. This evolution has given rise to numerous well-known tailoring establishments throughout the continent, further enriching Asia's reputation in the sartorial world. Here are some of Asia’s leading tailoring houses.

Hong Kong

Tailoring Capital of Asia

Heavily influenced by Shanghainese tailoring, Hong Kong is still considered to be the sartorial capital of Asia. Today, tailors in Hong Kong are characterised by a mix of generational family-run businesses and a newer and younger wave of boutique sartorial shops.

Ascot Chang

Established in 1953, Ascot Chang is a prominent name in Hong Kong's tailoring scene, particularly famous for their exquisite bespoke shirts. However, their expertise extends far beyond shirts, offering excellent bespoke suiting services that draw on the rich traditions of Shanghainese tailoring. Their ability to blend Eastern precision with Western styles has made them a favourite amongst discerning customers. Ascot Chang's reputation for quality has led to a global presence, with locations in New York, Beverly Hills, and Manila, in addition to their Hong Kong location.

Address: Hong Kong. Ascot Chang Co. Ltd. B520 Focal Industrial Center. 21 Man Lok Street. Hung Hom, Hong Kong +852 2364 4384.
Website: https://www.ascotchang.com/

Empire Tailors

Empire Tailors is a third-generation tailoring house in Hong Kong led by the Asaf family since 1983. The renowned store blends Hong Kong's rich tailoring heritage with British-inspired styles with strong shoulder lines and overall structured silhouettes. Hong Kong's original master tailors are becoming increasingly rare, but they can be seen working inside the store, earning the establishment acclaim from discerning clientele from high-profile business leaders and political figures. Empire hosts frequent trunk shows annually across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia, measuring and fitting both repeat and new clients for bespoke orders.

Address: 3rd Floor, Fontaine Building, 18 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R, (MTR Exit N1)
Website: http://www.empiretailors.com/

W.W. Chan & Sons Tailor

Established in 1952, W.W. Chan & Sons is known to be one of the original “Red Gang Tailors”. Chan is widely believed to have played a crucial role in preserving and continuing the Shanghainese tailoring legacy, a craft that has been passed down from generation to generation amongst Hong Kong tailors. With an international following, WW Chan & Sons host trunk shows across the United States and Europe every year. W.W. Chan's bespoke process involves multiple fittings, ensuring each garment is perfectly tailored to the client's body and preferences.

Address: Unit B, 8/F., Entertainment Building 30 Queen's Road Central Hong Kong
Website: http://wwchan.com/

Singapore
Ateliers of the Lion City

Singapore's tailoring scene is a reflection of the city-state's multicultural heritage. In recent years, there's been a growing interest in bespoke tailoring amongst younger Singaporeans, driven by a desire for personalised, high-quality garments and a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship in the age of fast fashion.

Common Suits

Common Suits, founded by Javin They in 2014, uniquely blends English, Italian, and French tailoring traditions in Singapore. Specialising in lightweight, climate-adapted suits, the company offers personalised, digitally-driven tailoring services. Their approach combines traditional craftsmanship with modern business strategies, emphasising sustainability and long-term investment in quality suits. With a presence in Singapore and Manila, Common Suits aims for further expansion in the coming years. 

Address: 122 Telok Ayer Street, Level 1, Singapore 068591
Website: https://www.commonsuits.com/

KAY-JEN

KAY-JEN is a bespoke tailoring brand in Singapore founded by Matthew Lai in 2014. Lai, now in his early 30s, learnt cutting from master tailor Thomas Wong and is known for blending traditional skills with contemporary trends. In 2023, Lai collaborated with Dylan Chong, creating two entities: Dylan & Son for bespoke orders and Kayjen Dylan for made-to-measure orders. Lai caters primarily to clients in their 30s and 40s, often reaching them through social media. His approach balances preserving traditional techniques with adapting to modern preferences in the fashion industry.

Address: 23 New Bridge Road #04-01, Singapore 059389
Website: https://www.kay-jen.com/

The Prestigious

The Prestigious is a renowned bespoke tailor in Singapore, founded by master tailor Thomas Wong, who has over five decades of experience in the industry. Located at 62B Boat Quay, it offers a Savile Row-like experience with all commissioned suits crafted in-house by a team of skilled tailors personally mentored and supervised by Wong. The Prestigious stands out for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, completing every process on-site without outsourcing. They cater to an exclusive clientele, including titled dignitaries and captains of industries, and have gained recognition in social and business magazines. 

Address: 62B Boat Quay, Level 3, Singapore 049850 (Nearest MRT stations are Raffles Place/Clarke Quay)
Website: https://www.theprestigiousbespoke.com/

Japan
The Mecca of Precision-Based Craft

Japan's tailoring scene, rooted in the 1868 Meiji Restoration, blends Western techniques with traditional craftsmanship. Initially adopted by officials and professionals, Western-style suits coexisted with kimonos in daily life. Over time, tailors in Japan have developed a distinctive style known for precision and attention to detail. 

Ginza Tailor

GINZA TAILOR, founded in 1935, is a prestigious bespoke tailoring establishment located in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district. Known for their high-quality craftsmanship, they offer various levels of tailoring services, including their signature "Samurai Line," which incorporates traditional Japanese elements like kimono silk linings and lacquered horn buttons. The tailoring process involves multiple fittings and meticulous attention to detail, with prices starting at JPY250,000 for bespoke suits.

Address: 5-5-16 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo, GINZA TAYLOR Building 5F
Website: https://www.gintei.com/en/men

Ciccio 

Ciccio, founded by Noriyuki Ueki, is a renowned bespoke tailoring establishment in Tokyo, Japan. Ueki, who trained under Italian master tailor Antonio Pascariello, combines traditional Neapolitan tailoring techniques with Japanese precision and aesthetics. Located in the Minato-ku district, Ciccio offers high-quality bespoke suits and jackets, known for their soft volume and clean lines. The atelier has gained international recognition, attracting clients from Asia and around the world. 

Address: 5 Chome-4-43 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Website: https://www.ciccio.co.jp/

Sartoria Domenica

Led by master tailor Kikuchi Tsutomu, Sartoria Domenica represents the pinnacle of bespoke tailoring in Japan. Tsutomu-san, trained in Italy, brings Neapolitan flair to his Tokyo workshop. His suits are characterised by their lightweight construction, soft shoulders, and meticulous hand-stitching, embodying the best of both Italian and Japanese craftsmanship.

Address: 5 Chome-4-43 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Website: https://www.raffaniello-jp.com/

South Korea 
The emerging fashion trendsetter

It's no secret that South Korea has been making waves in the world of fashion and trends, and bespoke tailoring is no exception. Here are three top tailors in Korea:

BN Tailor

BN Tailor, founded by master tailor Kim Jae-pil, has been at the forefront of Korean bespoke tailoring for over two decades. They are renowned for their expert craftsmanship and innovative approach to suit-making. BN Tailor's signature style combines elements of Italian sprezzatura with Korean precision, creating suits that are both elegant and comfortable.

Address: 567-27 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Website: https://en.bntailor.com/

Ascottage

Launched in 2020, Ascottage is a distinguished tailoring brand that has quickly become one of Korea's most fashionable bespoke houses. At the heart of Ascottage's expertise is co-founder and head cutter Geoffery Shin, the first from Korea to work as a cutter at 'Cad and Dandy' on London's prestigious Savile Row. Geoffery’s unique experience has allowed Ascottage to bring the refined techniques, premium fabrics, and classic designs of British tailoring to their atelier in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Address: 38 Dosan-daero 28-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Website: https://www.ascottage.com/en/ascottage_en/

Sartoria Vanni

Sartoria Vanni, one of Korea's most established tailors, has significantly shaped Seoul's bespoke tailoring scene. Their approach blends Neapolitan, British, and Korean elements, creating a distinctive style. As part of the old guard of Korean tailoring, Vanni continues to produce high-quality garments that cater to Seoul's discerning clientele, maintaining their reputation for excellence and innovation.

Address: 131, b1, Janggyo Bldg, Janggyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Website: https://www.sartoriavanni.com/en/

Shanghai 
The Legacy of Red Gang

Shanghai's tailoring scene is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. Rooted in a rich history dating back to the city's "Paris of the East" era in the 1920s, Shanghai's tailors are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in creating bespoke suits and qipaos (traditional Chinese dresses). Here are some of the top tailors in Shanghai:

Principle M

Principle M, founded in 2013 by Justin Kwan, is a prominent bespoke tailoring establishment primarily based in Beijing, not Shanghai. Known for their high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, they offer bespoke, made-to-measure, and ready-to-wear collections. With showrooms in Beijing's Embassy District and Parkview Green Mall, Principle M uses premium fabrics from England and Italy. Their style blends Italian tailoring influences with modern aesthetics, featuring softer shoulders and contemporary silhouettes.

Address: Shang Plaza Xinyuanli West #20, 2nd Floor Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100027 
Website: https://www.principlem.com/

The Ficus Shanghai

The Ficus Shanghai is known for its unique blend of Eastern aesthetics and Western tailoring techniques. Their Shanghai Collection showcases this fusion, with pieces like the Shanghai Jacket and Shanghai Polo Shirt. These garments incorporate traditional Chinese elements such as mandarin collars and frog buttons whilst maintaining a modern, versatile style. The Ficus prides itself on handcrafting each piece using traditional Chinese tailoring methods, ensuring a perfect balance of heritage and contemporary fashion.

Address: 1F-W18, Infinitus Mall, No. 168, Hubin Road, Xintiandi
Website: https://www.ficusshanghai.com/

GERMAIN TAILORS

Germain Tailors, founded in Shanghai in the late 2000s by French and Asian tailors, specialises in soft tailoring with a contemporary flair. They offer bespoke and made-to-measure services for suits, blazers, coats, shirts, and casual wear. The company features two main collections: a Neapolitan sartorial line and a tailored casual wear line called Weekend. 

Address: 506 Jianguo Xi Road, Near Wulumuqi Road, Building 40 (3rd left in the lane), Xuhui District Shanghai China
Website: https://www.germain-tailors.com/