Keeping the art of tailoring alive by nurturing the next generations of tailors.
Thomas Wong, a young boy growing up in Singapore, at the tender age of 16, he decided to pursue his passion for tailoring and began his apprenticeship under a master tailor. However, as he began to pursue his craft, he faced a lot of criticism and ridicule from those around him. People looked down on tailors as being low-skilled and uneducated, and many felt that Thomas was wasting his time by pursuing such a profession.
But this only served to fuel Thomas's determination. He refused to let the negativity get to him and instead used it as motivation to become the best tailor he could be. He poured his heart and soul into every stitch, determined to prove that tailors were just as skilled and valuable as any other profession.
Since then, Thomas devoted himself to the craft, learning the secrets of cutting, sewing, and fitting from his mentor and by working with customers.
As time passed, Thomas began to gain a reputation for his impeccable workmanship and attention to detail and soon people from all over the world were seeking out his services. He was no longer looked down upon, but rather respected and admired for his craft.
But Thomas's work didn't stop there. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to preserve the art of tailoring and ensure that it would continue to thrive in Singapore and beyond. So he became a lecturer at LaSalle College of the Arts, where he taught aspiring tailors the fundamentals of the craft, and also taking on his own apprentices and passing on his knowledge to the next generation.
Over the years, Thomas's reputation grew, and he was frequently invited to teach and conduct trainings in other countries, including India and Vietnam. His classes were always packed with eager students who hung on his every word, soaking up his expertise and passion.
As Thomas approached his seventh decade of life, he looked back with pride on the legacy he had created. His work had inspired countless young tailors and helped preserve the art of tailoring for future generations.
And he knew that his legacy would continue, thanks to the many apprentices he had trained and the students he had taught. Thomas Wong was truly the preeminent Master Tailor of Singapore.
-Thomas Wong