1976 – Mr Robert Loh fitting the legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali

It was the fourth tailor, Robert Loh, whose suits fit me perfectly and I have never gone to the fifth or sixth one! – Tun Dr Mahathir

1974 – Lord’s Tailor began as Groovy Apparel

Lord’s Tailor first began back in the 1970’s. Its founder and managing director Robert Loh trained under some of the most skillful masters and renowned tailors of the day in London’s Tailor & Cutter. Upon his return to Malaysia, he established his first tailoring establishment called Groovy Apparel. In 1976, their first big break came in the form of heavyweight boxing champ, Muhammad Ali. This unforgettable experience with the legendary boxing champ was featured by the papers and soon orders came pouring in. Lord’s Tailor’s reputation for quality and fitting suit began to spread.

1980′s – renamed Lord’s Tailor

By early 1980’s, Mrs Loh suggested they change their name to Lord’s Tailor since bellbottoms were out of fashion and they had definitely gone upmarket. When asked about the origins of their regal name, Lee Lee Loh, Marketing Director and wife of Robert Loh simply explained, “Robert had trained under the best tailors in London so we felt this name was more appropriate.”

Robert Loh fitting Tun Dr Mahathir

By 1987 even the former PM, Tun Dr Mahathir, was getting his striking clothes made by Lord’s after having tried three previous tailors and has remained with Lord’s for over 25 years. Tun Mahathir noticed his son-in-law’s clothes looked well made and enquired where he got them from and Robert Loh was called to the PM’s office to measure him. Since then, Lord’s Tailor has been dressing the always sharp-looking Tun Dr Mahathir.

Since the mid 2000’s, Lord’s Tailor has also been busy dressing up the men for the Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian awards, Malaysia’s version of the Grammy Awards. On its premier outing, Lord’s managed to dress Fahrin Ahmad who won Best Dressed Award. Lord’s Tailor has also gone on to win the Best Designer Award from ABPBH twice ever since.

Another year to remember for Lord’s Tailor was 2007, when businessman Datuk Vinod Sekhar, who himself was a patron of Lord’s Tailor, wanted to present some suits to international movie star Mel Gibson and brought Mel Gibson to Lord’s Tailor to have his measurements taken. It caused quite a commotion in Bangsar Shopping Centre, where Lord’s Tailor has one of two retail outlets. Mel Gibson found the suits of such quality that later, he came back to order more a second time round. In fact, one of the suits was later spotted on the famous actor at one of the Oscars Night. It was indeed a proud moment for Lord’s Tailor but the cherry on top was winning the BrandLaureate Award for Product Branding Retail Category – Premier Custom Made Apparel in 2010, which was also Lord’s Tailor’s 37th anniversary.

At the celebration night, where over 200 dignitaries along with local and international celebrities all wore one of their Lord’s Tailor suits attended, Dr Mahathir gave a warmly glowing speech thanking Robert Loh for being his personal tailor for over a quarter century. “When I moved from Alor Setar in the early 1970s I had to find a new tailor. However, after having suits made by the first tailor I went to, I did not feel comfortable in them. I went to a second tailor and then a third.

It was the fourth tailor, Robert Loh, whose suits fit me perfectly and I have never gone to the fifth or sixth one! I’ve often urged the Lohs to go international since they are equal to top Italian brands.”

Dato’ Jimmy Choo – Lord’s suits fit me better than any London high-street tailor

As Jimmy Choo puts it, “Lord’s suits fit me better than any London Saville Row high street tailor.” He exclaims, “Robert’s clothes truly make me look younger and look more fit physically too!”

2009 – Lord’s Tailor relaunches Premier branch in Bangsar Shopping Centre

In November 2009, Lord’s Tailor celebrated the re-opening of the Bangsar Shopping Centre shop with much gaiety and fanfare. Customers and celebrities such as Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza, Dafi, Farrid Kamli, Rosyan Nor and Nazril Idrus were some of the VVIPs who attended the toney affair.

Lord’s Tailor is indeed a cut above the rest and is here to stay as the son of Robert Loh, Kenny, who runs the Bangsar outlet in Bangsar Shopping Centre, has been training for more than a decade to step into his father’s legacy of the perfect fit.

2012 – Lord’s Tailor adds prestigious Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award (APEA) – Outstanding Entrepreneur Award

Awards won:

2010: BrandLaureate SME Best Brand Award – Premier Custom Made Apparel Category

2011: BrandLaureate SME Best Brand Award - Premier Custom Made Apparel Category

2012: 1Malaysia iAward – iAmaze category

2012: Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2012 – Outstanding Entrepreneur Award