No takers for tailoring trade

Rehman Sharif started his career as a tailor 40 years ago. Back then, his brother and he were told that the profession had a massive demand and would earn them a good living. They started out small and eventually started working for the who’s who of the film industry. 

All the top actresses of the 80s were his loyal clients and he was no less than a celebrity in his locality for having worked with the top names in the business. 

As times changed and the retail culture thrived, the scenario started changing. However, tailoring hasn’t died completely, but the way the profession is perceived has changed. “Back then, tailors (or ‘master’ as they are popularly called) were respected, and tailoring was considered a glamorous job. The sheen is now worn-off and the profession as such is dying. Both my children work in private firms and do not want to continue this,” says Rehman, who functions from the basement of Fountain Plaza in Egmore. 

The premises has a line of tailors who have been stitching for decades. They start their day from 10 in the morning and work continuously till 10 pm. 

“Some days are busier than others and our hands are mostly full during the wedding season. We end up working till late hours because we find it difficult to find decent helping hands. The younger generation wants more money for lesser work and this profession can be back-breaking at times,” says Ravi, another tailor. 

However, the profession is not out of business just yet. Vijay Kumar says, “People want to buy the clothes actors wear on screen and they are expensive. They come to us asking to make something similar for them. Also students come to us to get the costumes stitched for them for college fests.” N. Shanmugam of Raj Tailors says that evolving with the changing times is the key. 

“Like any other field, this profession must be also developed. There are so many new designs and techniques coming up, I’d like the next generation to learn that and take it forward. I have three children who are still in school and I’d make one of them take this profession forward but with a modern touch.”