Who make our clothes? Where do they come from? We only see them displayed at store or photographed on set but we are rarely shown the unglamorous side of fashion. Behind The Stitch highlights the workforce who creates garment and showcases people who might never appear on runway or glossy pages but crucial in the success of a brand.

I learnt to sew from a sewing course that I took in 1994 and I have been a tailor ever since. I was still single back then and I have my family’s full support to pursue my passion, so I did. This is partly because I’ve been working for a living alone here while my family was back in Kediri.

At first, I worked for someone for two years to fund my study at the fashion school. When I first moved to Pasar Paseban, I recruited three people I know and we’ve been working together until now.

I enjoy my work because I like fashion and I always follow up the trend to better myself in sewing. I get quite a lot of orders from offices around here, but I mostly do kebaya for weddings and church events.

Alhamdulillah, orders keep on coming in even though business has been slowing down this year due to the (economic) situation in the country. Usually it is piling up even more than this.

The most unforgettable thing that I've experienced in this line of work is whenever a client reached out to me and told me how they are happy with my work.

Their appreciation of my work is my own personal achievement. It is exhilarating to know that your clients appreciate your works and it also means that I am gaining exposure from mouth to mouth, which means that I will be getting more customers.

Thus, my motto is to always give the best services. That is all. 

Mulyadi, tailor and owner of Sinar Jaya Tailor, Pasar Paseban