Dressed for success
Raja Daswani, the head of Hong Kong bespoke tailor Raja Fashions, explains why a well-tailored suit will never go out of style
EVEN the relaxed fintech professionals of Silicon Roundabout need to smarten up on occasion, whether it be for an important meeting with lawyers or to court City investors. No-one can deny the advantages of a quality, tailor-made suit over an off-the-rack number, but the typically high price tags can be off-putting.
This is where Hong Kong-based Raja Fashions comes in, offering designer fabrics and custom tailoring at a mere snip of the price of Savile Row.
Raja Daswani, the head of Raja Fashions, travels regularly to the UK to meet with customers requiring bespoke garments. In fact, the UK is Raja Fashions’ biggest market, since the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the UK to China in 1997.
“Many of the UK expatriates living in Hong Kong had to leave,” says Daswani. “So we decided – if they’re leaving us, we’ll go and visit them.
“It’s been really positive. They’ve started recommending their friends and now we visit so many different cities in the UK it’s unbelievable. We started in London but we now travel all over the UK including Scotland, Wales and Ireland in response to growing demand.”
With 20,000 fabrics to choose from – including designer textiles from the likes of Holland & Sherry and Ermenegildo Zegna – and a multitude of styles, there’s something for everyone.
“It all depends on your profession or what you want your tailor-made garment for,” explains Daswani.
“If you’re a solicitor, you may want a dark, tailored suit or dress and jacket that is good for the workplace, whereas someone in a more creative industry may want a brighter-coloured suit that stands out.
“And if you want a party suit or an evening outfit, there are different types of suits you may wear. It all depends on the individual.”
A bespoke suit is no longer purely a prerequisite for men. “There’s huge demand for ladies’ tailored garments, which we’re doing more and more of now,” Daswani says.
Raja Fashions’ suits are around one third or even one quarter of the prices on Savile Row, Daswani says, using many of the same fabrics.
Bespoke suits start at £350 for lightweight fabrics and £435 for 100 per cent wool. Raja Fashions’ high-end suits go up to £2,500, but the same item could cost £12,000 on Savile Row, the tailor explains.
Furthermore, Raja Fashions is currently promoting several special offers. Customers can buy two suits and two shirts from £580, six shirts or blouses from £298 and a bespoke suit with fabric by Ermenegildo Zegna from £850.
“We want to make sure that the price is reasonable, so that people can afford it and get more suits tailored,” says Daswani. “We’re even competitive with the high street.”
Daswani’s team travel to the UK every two months, taking over hotel suites across the country so that clients can get suit fittings without having to travel to the Far East.
The entire process, from the first appointment to receiving the tailored item, takes four to five weeks.
“Our suits never go out of style – on the contrary, more and more people are buying bespoke suits,” says Daswani.
“When it comes to off the peg, you may get a branded suit but you don’t get the right fit. This is why more and more people are understanding the benefits of going to a tailor.”
Visit Raja Fashion’s website at www.raja-fashions.com or email raja@raja-fashions.com to book an appointment. Hong Kong main shop: 34-C Cameron Road, G/F, TST, Kln, Hong Kong.
