Kam Lun Tailors supplies uniforms for more than 200 Hong Kong schools. Photo: Jonathan WongIn his office, Peter Lam, 60, unpacks dresses and shirts from a cardboard box. His desk has a binder of school logo patches; the cabinet behind him has rolls of cloth.
Downstairs is the shop for Kam Lun Tailors. Hong Kong pupils come here to buy uniforms for the new school year.
This store was opened by Peter’s father, Paul Lam, in 1961. For over 60 years, it has provided uniforms for more than 200 Hong Kong schools. Over the years, Peter and his 96-year-old father Paul have changed the business to fit the needs of students and schools.
How uniforms have changed
St Paul’s Co-educational College used to be called St Paul’s Girls’ College. In 1918, it was the first school in the city to require uniforms.
Uniforms changed over the years as technology and styles changed. There have been cheongsam, sailor suits and chequered uniforms.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, many people came to live in Hong Kong. More children needed school uniforms. This inspired Paul to leave his job at a larger uniform company and start Kam Lun.
“The mid-80s to mid-90s were the most flourishing times for us,” Peter said.
Recently, Kam Lun has seen many more changes. Some historical secondary schools “appreciate the traditional old Hong Kong style”, Peter said. He pointed out the blue cheongsam at St Stephen’s Girls’ College.
But newer schools have mostly left behind older styles.
Peter showed his point by unfolding a uniform shirt with two different chequered patterns. He said, “They have changed track and adopted all these fancy fashions.”
Only a few of Kam Lun’s clients keep their logo badges.
“All the schools used to have big logo badges on their uniforms,” Peter said, “but the recent trend has been to make them very small.”
He said: “We joke that it’s because nobody will be able to identify students if they make trouble outside of school.”
Peter added that many students would choose hoodies over logo blazers to be more comfortable.
All of these changes have affected the company.
Challenges lie ahead
In recent years, Hongkongers are having fewer children, and many families have left the city. Schools have fewer pupils, so there are not as many customers for Kam Lun.
Even after six decades, Paul still works at the office. But his grandchildren have other careers, so there is no third generation to inherit the firm. The company’s sewing staff are in their 60s or older. But it has been hard to hire younger workers.
Newer companies make trendier designs. It can be difficult for old-school tailors like Kam Lun to compete.
“We’ve lost quite a bit of business in that area,” Peter said, “because we don’t go out and sell or propose trendy designs just to get clients.”
He continued: “Tradition is our strength ... In the future, we must do our best to keep up with the trend yet maintain tradition.”
Despite recent challenges, Peter is sure that Hong Kong school uniforms will continue to exist.
“Uniforms will always be the same in the end – [a mix of] old-school and new styles,” he said. “So we’ll keep going ... as long as we can survive.”
Peter hopes that students will appreciate the meaning behind the uniforms they wear. He explained that uniforms represent a school’s history.
“Love your school uniform,” he advised. “Appreciate it because it serves as part of your memories.”
Reflect: Do you like your school uniform? Why or why not?
Why this story matters: Most students in Hong Kong wear school uniforms. But have you ever thought about the people who make your clothes? This story gives you a peak into Kam Lun Tailors, which has seen over 60 years of change in Hong Kong.