The solo around the world yacht race and other sailing related items.
The Tailor of Bangkok
On the flight we met Coomie, a jewelry designer living in NYC. She gave us the name of her tailor, and we also asked the hotel for a name. The hotel recommended Embassy Fashion and that they would send a car over to get us. We thought as that was easiest, we would start with Embassy Fashion, get and idea of the fabrics and prices with not too much hard work, then take a taxi over to the tailor Coomie recommended and maybe one other before hand and then make our decision on where we would get a top for Darlene and a jacket and shirt made for me. The driver was over immediately and a few minutes later we were pulling in to Embassy Fashion. Parked right at the entrance was a Ferrari and I looked at Darlene saying this is going to be expensive. Either there is a very good customer in the store that they would allow to park where he did, but more realistically this would be the car of owner. On entering where the entire staff turned to acknowledge us, there were only two non staff people present. Someone, Raj, came and offered us a seat, anything we would like to drink, water, coffee, tea and then started asking what we would like to start to see. He brought out books to give me an idea of jackets. One of my IBM events is formal so I needed something for that occasion. The task had begun. The one client finished his mission and left, leaving just one other person, who turned out to be Roger, the owner. Raj began his almost impossible task of educating me on fashion, but he had an alley from Darlene who made clear the direction I would proceed in.
Darlene and Roger hit the dance floor.
After 30 minutes I needed to clear my head of all the fabrics, the colors, the styles, the decisions. Roger and I got talking about Ferraris. His was a 1994 and only 8 of that model was made world wide. Then it was back to work for me on this jacket, which was appropriate to ask the price. I was stunned. It was not as expensive as I had felt it could be on entering the store, not that I had anything to go on by yet. Two were even better priced and a consideration. We got talking about shirts, pants and a few items for Darlene. We were making progress. I had not made the decision yet if this was where we would do business. Darlene wanted to show Raj the pants I normal wore when speaking. I had shown him my keynote on line and the challenges I was having with my shirts. He sent Darlene back to the hotel to get the pants. We continued working but hunger set in so I asked Roger to recommend a place close by that we could walk over to eat at. He had a better recommendation than the immediate area and told us his driver would take us there, wait, and bring us back. We had not even agreed to buy a single outfit and yet he was treating us like the client who had dropped $10,000 in his store. This was service and at any time I felt I could say thank you and please take us back to the hotel. There was zero pressure, yet 100% service.
Lunch was interesting, fantastic and it was at Kinnaree, the restaurant that we met Bulong. We returned to the store, now some 5 hours since we had begun the process, and I was ready to get down to business. There was no where else in Bangkok I was heading to for my tailor. I had found my fashion team. Another two hours later I place the order for a skirt and blouse for Darlene, two fancy jackets, two shirts and a pants for myself all priced within my budget leaving some change. The first fitting was arranged for the following day and we were returned to our hotel.
Coomie had left a message for us to have dinner with her at her favorite restaurant. She picked us up and off we set. On telling her on what we had done for the entire day, the outfits we had ordered, she was shocked. Her words when we told her the total price was “Is that all”. Even she was impressed. She comes to Bangkok all the time as the manufacturing operation of the jewelry she designs is produced here. This city is as much home to her as NYC is. Dinner was fantastic then we headed to a bar, Koi, for drinks. This is where the international models hang out and the place had about a dozen stunning girls. There were only about 15 folks there as it was late and most people were at their parties already. After Koi, we walked through a residential neighborhood to get a taxi. It was almost 1 am and the massage places were still open asking if we wanted to come in. Coomie headed home and we headed in for our second massage. Darlene and I did not get to sleep till 4 am.
Our first fitting was at 10 am and Roger had shown Darlene where she could go get a haircut as she did not have time in the States to get it done. We awoke 5 minutes before the driver was showing up. The fitting was fantastic. We had the patterns close to perfection and the tailor brought it to perfection. There were still some design details Raj wanted to work out on my jackets regarding the type of pockets. We ended up with our own fashion statement of no lower pockets as I do not use them so why have it.
While Darlene had her haircut, Roger and I get talking about Thailand and the culture. He was from England and came over 26 years ago. He is married to a Thai, has three children (twins aged 9 and an very cute one and a half year old) and what I perceive as one of the most incredible lifestyles. Not only did he tell me what to do see some of the night life, he made the arrangements for his driver to take Darlene and I. I feel not only did I find my tailor of Bangkok, but a new friend. Then Roger took us to lunch, another 3 hours of fun and insights. This experience of our time in Bangkok will be remembered as another defining moment of our life. Friendships built, dreams lived, experiences like no other and service that I have never seen. We are privileged.