The Podium fills that made-to-order fix with four stores that offer services from creating tailor-made jeans to professionally altering that designer outfit to your size.
Viktor Jeans
Ino Caluza, the design genius behind Viktor jeans, started the whole made-to-order jeans revolution in the country. The Podium store is his first branch. Here, one can look at tons of fabrics and styles from which Ino can create your denim piece.
What: Made-to-order denim creations
Where: 4th level of The Podium
What you may not know: Ino will soon embark on creating a new label called Lord Viktor — a high-end label that will specialize in creating tailor-made denim suits for men and women.
Kingsmen
Owner Alex Racho established Kingsmen almost four decades ago in España, Manila. The store caters mostly to the Filipino gentleman who is looking for just the right custom-made look.
What: Custom-made coats, tuxedos, barong tagalog and other clothing pieces.
Where: Basement level of The Podium
What you may not know: Kingsmen also makes clothing for women.
Malu Veloso
Malu Veloso started making dresses for children in the late ‘70s and expanded to cater to brides, bridal entourages and children in the ‘80s. The shop now also specializes in weaving piña fabric into unique creations.
What: Formal made-to-order bridal gowns, babies and children’s dresses.
Where: Basement level of The Podium
What you may not know: Malu Veloso got her inspiration for beading and intricate pattern-making from time spent in finishing school in Switzerland. The Swiss, with their intricate costume patterns, made a mark on Veloso.
Alterations Plus
The store evolved as a small parking-level shop when friends of Alterations Plus owner Lucia Carlos convinced her to take her then only home-based small time business when they noticed what a professional job Carlos did in altering their clothes.
What: A one-stop alterations shop that goes beyond what your usual mananahi does. Pieces are professionally cut and sewn. All of their staff have professional tailor training so results are guaranteed.
Where: Basement level of The Podium
What you may not know: Alterations Plus also does a fantastic job in professional dry cleaning. The store uses a process that’s very sensitive to delicate fabrics such as hand-painted clothing pieces.
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Cheers! E-mail me at djmontano@ pacific.net.ph.