Roshan Melwani, the man at the helm of the famed 66-year-old Hong Kong tailoring institution Sam’s Tailor, embodies the essence of a people’s person. His affinity for people and conversation is what led him to his family’s business, a cherished hub for bespoke suits that has attracted locals, celebrities, and even presidents.
As a child, Melwani would visit the shop regularly after school, soaking in the bustling atmosphere and observing the interactions with a diverse clientele. It was here, under the guidance of his father, Manu Melwani, he learned to converse with clients considerably older than him.
In recent times, Melwani has successfully leveraged social media platforms to reach a wider and younger audience, amassing over a million followers on TikTok and thousands on Instagram. His catchphrases, like ‘gift-wrapping’ his clients in ‘signature details’ and ‘4D fits’, have gone viral with users worldwide creating parodies of his videos.
After finishing his education at New York University and gaining some work experience at a law firm and two start-ups in London, Melwani returned to his roots in Hong Kong. He joined Sam’s Tailor in 2000, seeing an opportunity to pour his energy and passion into his family’s legacy. Now 46, Melwani caters to a diverse range of customers, from local students to distinguished personalities like former U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
Melwani has earned the moniker of ‘the suit whisperer’, owing to his knack for understanding his clients’ visions and translating them into unique creations. However, the greatest influence on him remains his father’s unrelenting work ethic. Now a father to three children himself, he acknowledges the priceless legacy he has inherited and the responsibility to keep it alive.
Melwani’s digital transition started during the Covid-19 pandemic when he began live-streaming to combat the solitude of an empty shop. Surprisingly, viewers started ordering suits through these live streams, creating a novel revenue stream for the business. Despite his newfound internet fame, Melwani remains humble, acknowledging that he is the caretaker of the throne his father has built over decades.
Through Sam’s Tailor, Melwani continues to weave threads of tradition and modernity, preserving the institution’s heritage while introducing fresh elements for the younger generation. With his son Riaan expressing interest in becoming a tailor, it seems the legacy of Sam’s Tailor is destined to endure for yet another generation.
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