Anybody have any idea of how the work of our friends in Kowloon stacks up with the various Cypriote tailors around London who might be their closest competitors price-wise?

Chan is exacting. I've used them for almost twenty years. However, I did go to Kowloon twice, had fittings, and so on. Once they get it right, it is replicated perfectly. The only down side to their London visit, is the uncertainty over when the next visit would be. I think it depends upon how much business they do. So the issue of fittings for new customers may be a problem. That said, what I would recommend is to bring them something you like, let them take measurements, details, photos, and send the example to Hong Kong. Then get a fitting in London, and it will be better than your sample. At least that's been my experience, your mileage may vary.

They have the usual range of British cloths including H Lesser, Harrison's, Porter and Harding, Holland and Sherry, as well as the usual Italian suspects. Do not buy shirts from Chan, they are subcontracted, and don't work out well. Also, the only disappointment I've had was with a topcoat, where the sleeves, shoulders, just weren't right.

Another thought is to have Chan make something of a novelty that you wouldn't want to do at SR prices: perhaps corduroy or linen trousers, a cotton sport jacket, etc.

Patrick Chu, (under his name the hotel will be registered in London and the three times per year USA visits) is first rate. Raymond Kiang, his predecessor, was also very good. I heard that he left Chan to begin one of the first tailoring shops in Shanghai. I think he has a website. Chan subsequently opened as well in Shanghai, and my understanding is that Peter Chan is spending most of his time developing that emerging market.

It is a pleasure to do business with these guys. Absolute integrity, no tales of the Empire, royal warrants from pretenders to vanished thrones, and so on. No slick brochures, smirks, or pretension. Western merchants could learn a thing or two from them. Seriously, one of the satisfying things about Chan, is that they really want you to be happy with the goods. I can't say the same for some of the Western hustlers I've wasted money on.

I WISH CHAN WOULD COME TO OZ!

I see that Chan have scheduled visits to London in April and October of this year, so I can only surmise their first visit was a success.

addiciton, yes, but pretty benign compared to the other vices