Tailoring before the advent of ready-to-wear fashion

The boom in ready-to-wear fashion has caused the traditional tailoring profession to gradually disappear. However, on the streets of Hai Phong, there are still workers quietly sticking to their profession.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Hung in Hai Ba Trung street, Le Chan ward witnessed the "golden age" of the traditional tailoring profession.

Past the "golden" times

In recent years, the development of ready-to-wear fashion has caused the traditional tailoring profession to fall into a slump. A profession that once went through its “golden age”, attached to many families, now has only a few people persistently pursuing it.

Tran Binh Trong Street (Le Thanh Nghi Ward, West Hai Phong) was once the "capital" of fabric shops and tailor shops, once known as "Hang Dao Street" of Hai Duong . Back then, customers came and went in droves, people buying fabric, people ordering tailoring bustling from morning to night. Ms. Thanh Thuy, the owner of a fashion tailor shop on this street, recalls: "More than 20 years ago, whenever people mentioned tailoring, they often came to this street. Many tailor shops had to hire more workers, working until late at night to deliver to customers. Now the street is no longer as bustling as before. Many shops have closed, some businesses have had to change jobs to make a living," Ms. Thuy regrets.

The tailor and fabric shop on Tran Binh Trong street, Le Thanh Nghi ward, used to be bustling, but now has fewer customers.

Not only Tran Binh Trong street, but also many other streets in Hai Phong used to have many tailor shops bustling with customers, but now they are no longer as they used to be. Mr. Hoang Quoc Hung on Hai Ba Trung street, Le Chan ward (East of Hai Phong) has been working with scissors, measuring tape and sewing machine for nearly 30 years, recalling: “In the past, this profession was very popular, especially at the end of the year, when people went to have clothes made for Tet. My family specializes in tailoring men's suits, and our customers are well-off people. The suits are intricately tailored, so it often takes a whole month to be completed, but customers still wait patiently. During the prosperous times, my family had to hire more workers, thanks to which we were able to buy a house and a car.”

According to Mr. Hung, fashion trends have changed a lot. Instead of going to tailor shops, customers now just need to visit ready-made fashion stores, try on a few outfits they like and buy them right away, which is fast and trendy. Along with the coverage of many big fashion brands and a variety of imported clothes, the tailoring profession is increasingly narrowing.

The ready-to-wear fashion industry is causing the traditional tailoring profession to gradually disappear.

Ms. Vu Thi Tham in Le Thanh Nghi ward shared: “In the past, I often chose fabrics and ordered clothes, but for many years now, I hardly do. I usually go to the store, it only takes a few minutes to choose clothes, try them on, and if I find them suitable, I buy them. It's convenient and fast, not having to wait a week or half a month to order clothes like before.”

With the ever-changing market trends and fashion, it is not difficult to understand why the tailoring industry is in trouble. In the fierce competition with ready-made fashion, traditional tailor shops are losing customers and are even at risk of disappearing.

Find your own way

Skilled tailors on Hai Ba Trung Street switched to clothing repair.

However, there are still workers who persevere in their profession. They do not give up, but find a new path for themselves.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang on Hai Ba Trung Street has been in the profession for 20 years. When the number of tailors decreased, she switched to clothing alterations. While meticulously re-measuring a customer’s shirt, she shared: “Tailor-made clothing is no longer popular, but many people still need repairs. So I opened a small shop to repair clothes. Now there are not many opportunities to be creative according to customers’ ideas, but repairing clothes also helps me make a living from this profession.”

On the streets it is still easy to come across clothing repair shops of once-skilled tailors.

Tailors only need a few square meters of space and a sewing machine to be able to practice their profession. On Hai Ba Trung Street alone, there are many small clothing repair shops. Some specialize in repairing leather jackets, others repair fashionable shirts and dresses, and others focus on repairing clothes for the elderly. Being in the same profession, they often share secrets for quick and beautiful repairs. An unwritten rule of tailors here is not to solicit, letting customers choose which shop they like.

Ms. Trang added: “If the work is steady, each repairman can earn 200,000 - 300,000 VND per day, sometimes more. In general, with skills, it is still enough to live on.”

Many people find a way by switching to sewing uniforms for students, workers, art troupes, or sewing according to orders from customer groups... Others choose a new business direction such as renting ao dai, selling ready-made clothes, opening a combination service.

Many tailors switched to repairing, polishing, and removing mold from leather clothes.

Ms. Pham Thi Hang, owner of a tailor shop on Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Hai Duong Ward, shared: “Instead of quitting my job, I opened a service to rent ao dai. With many years of experience, I just need to look at the customer's body shape to advise on the appropriate style, color, and size. I also accept custom-made ao dai alterations. Tailoring is a skillful profession that requires experience, so I do not want to quit but continue to promote the profession my mother passed down from childhood.”

Many tailors are still determined to stick with the profession even though their income is not as high as before.

Before the arrival of modern fashion, the traditional tailoring profession no longer maintained its position as before. But instead of disappearing completely, the craftsmen are adjusting themselves, adapting to social needs. Dedicated craftsmen still persevere in keeping their profession, finding ways to make a living. That persistence is not only a story of food and money, but also an effort to preserve a profession that was once closely tied to people's lives.

BAO ANH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nghe-may-do-truoc-cuoc-do-bo-cua-thoi-trang-may-san-522331.html