Vol.1 香港シャツメーカー “Ascot Chang/アスコット・チャン”

6月8日から6月21日まで、香港、台湾、イタリアへ出張して参りました。
毎年1月と6月にイタリア・フィレンツェで開催される展示会「Pitti Uomo/ピッティ・ウオモ」への参加がメインでしたが、香港・台湾での打ち合わせも多くあり、非常にバタバタとした2週間でございました。
今後少しずつ、こちらのブログにて、今回のピッティのお話を書かせていただこうと思っております。

ただ、今回から数回は、イタリアの後の香港滞在時に訪れた、香港を代表するシャツブランド「Ascot Chang/アスコット・チャン」のお話をさせてください。

「Ascot Chang/アスコット・チャン」は、1953年創業のビスポークシャツメーカーで、現在、香港に4店舗、アメリカに2店舗、フィリピンに4店舗、中国に5店舗を展開しています。基本的に、ビスポークシャツがメインですが、既成品のシャツの展開や、店舗によってはイザイアやブリオーニの商品も取り扱っています。
また、様々なショップとのコラボレーションも積極的に行っており、「The Armoury/ジ・アーモリー」、「Bryceland’s/ブライスランズ」、「Oak Room/オークルーム」などでMTMオーダーやダブルネームの既成品を展開しています。

現在、創業者のアスコット・チャンの息子、Tony Chang/トニー・チャンが仕切っておりますが、SNSなどのメディアには、トニーの息子、いわゆる3代目のJustin Chang/ジャスティン・チャンが登場することが多いと思います。
彼は、私と年齢も近く、いろいろな部分で共通点の多い友人です。今回、彼の厚意で、アスコット・チャンのオフィスと工房を見学させてもらました。

次回、具体的に彼らの工房のご紹介をさせていただきます。

Text and Photos:Moto Kwok, Sally Kwok

シャツの型紙保管棚
創業一族3代目のジャスティン
motokwok

Moto Kwok-fan

Moto was born and raised in Japan and has lived and worked in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
After he graduated from university, Moto started his career as a real estate and investment agent and digital-marketing. He worked for this industries for about six years and afterwards he started own business as marketing and some fashion brand agent.
In 2018, he joined SARTO GINZA as director and now he in charge of the marketing, promotion and sales department.

Menswear enthusiast and movie props, LEGO block, old Kenner/Hasbro Action figures “Huge Collector”

Vol.1 About SARTO

If you are a foreigner and looking for a tailoring shop, look no further than the professionals at Sarto.  Sarto offers a full range of services from bespoke and made-to-measure suit and dress making to alterations and repairs.  They even offer a bespoke shoe making service.
Best of all, there are several staff members who speak English fluently.

While living in midtown Manhattan, in New York City, I was often frustrated by the lack of tailors and alteration shops.  Too many times I had to resort to having alterations done at my local dry cleaners.  Although it was quick and convenient, the services were usually limited to the most basic alterations such as hemming trousers, taking in or letting out a waist, or shortening the sleeves on a jacket.  If you’re as particular as I am about how your clothes fit, then the simple offerings of the dry cleaner or the local seamstress shop are not enough.

New York Magazine publishes a “Best of” annual guide to the best of the city’s dining, shopping, services and entertainment.  It was there that I found a tailor based in Tribeca, recommended as the best place for alterations.  After a couple of visits, I got the feeling that this tailor wasn’t so keen on my business.  When asked, his honest reply was, “I only take in alterations until I can make enough money with my bespoke business.”  That was my last trip to that shop.

After moving to Tokyo on a modelling contract, I started doing a lot of work for the men’s magazines.  Through the fashion editors and stylists, I was introduced to Sarto.  The level of skill and professionalism I found at Sarto soon turned me into a regular customer.  

No matter how big or small or how simple or complicated the repair or alteration required, the Sarto staff were happy to help, their skill always matched by their friendliness.  Since being introduced to Sarto, I have had countless alterations done, but have also had bespoke and made-to-measure suits, jackets and trousers made with absolutely beautiful results.

Working in the fashion industry, it’s important for me to be well dressed.  Having clothes that fit properly is a big part of that.  Without the help of my friends at Sarto, I wouldn’t be half as well dressed.  I love Sarto and I’m sure you will too.

Over the coming months, I will be explaining all of the alteration and tailoring options available at Sarto. 
 
The Italians have a philosophy of “La Bella Figura,” or always look your best.  Sarto can help you achieve this, in style.

Text:David Retzlaff

David Retzlaff

Our good friend David has worked internationally for the past 25 years as a model, stylist, photographer ‘s assistant and most recently as a fashion journalist.