Veteran bra maker still holding up in boom or bust

[John]

A 91-year-old Chinese tailor is determined to continue making customised bras for his clients despite his advanced age and outdated designs.

"My sons and my daughter-in-law all tell me to stop working," said Ran Yusheng at his stall in the southwestern city of Chengdu.

"But my customers say if I stop, where will they be able to buy such bras? They wouldn't buy those bras from other stores."

Ran and his wife ran a busy bra shop in the heart of the city's commercial capital in the 1940s, but today all that remains of his business is a small balcony outside his apartment.

Bags of cotton cloth, two pairs of scissors and a sewing machine line the small workspace.

Born in 1918 in Suining in Sichuan province, Ran was sent to the provincial capital Chengdu by his father at the age of 15, where he started as an apprentice to a tailor.

In the 1940's, he was sent to make brassieres for a department store in the bustling commercial district of the city, where he started his specialisation.

When the department store closed, Ran opened his own shop in bustling Chunxi street. Although he frequently moved premises, the customers always followed.

[scorpionf]

And to think I just walk into Best & Less and try on and buy bras that are my size... I am so not fussy - My only requirements are that it fits properly and is comfy.

Makes you wonder how much he charges for customized bras, and still have such a loyal group of customers, and what will happen the day he does decide to pack it in...

[JohnCenaFan28]

Interesting, thanks.