First China, then the world for ambitious fashion duo
Donald Ng was a traditional Hong Kong tailor. For 16 years, like his father before him, he had been working out of a small space in a Tsim Sha Tsui shopping mall, making men's suits. Then one evening at a friend's house a tall charismatic former fashion model from Chicago came into his life.
Daniel Joseph Pipala was running a women's fashion accessories business from Chicago when they met, but his head was full of creative ideas for the development of men's fashion. His career as a model had kept him up to date with the latest international trends and he was buzzing with ideas as to how they could be developed to suit both Asian and western men.
His meeting with Mr Ng, a conservative but hard working and talented tailor, was providential. Together these two men in their 30s formed a new high fashion company - The Daniel Joseph Collection. Mr Pipala brought a fresh input of capital and they moved into a bigger shop in the same shopping mall in February.
But now they are setting out to conquer the mainland and will open a free-standing boutique on The Bund in Shanghai next month. All their clothes are now being made in a factory in Dongguan.
'Chinese tailors produce excellent workmanship but they lack creative ideas. We hope to bring new ideas and elegant styles to the Chinese tailoring industry, and put it on the world map. We are making a line of high quality, trendy styles available at a quarter of the price charged by the big-name menswear designers,' said Mr Pipala.
He paused and lifted his arms above his head in a triumphant gesture - 'We are out to conquer - China today, tomorrow the world.'
He believes that the name Daniel Joseph will soon rank with Armani, Prada, Gucci and Hugo Boss for fine styling in menswear, but at a much lower price.
'The men's tailoring industry in China is at a stalemate,' he said. 'They have fine tailors, fine fabrics, low operating costs. All they need are the innovative styles to put them into the world class. We intend to help them do that.'
They produce two collections a year but modify the styles to suit individual customers. A jacket costs around $3,800 and a suit can cost up to $5,900. Mr Pipala believes it will be a quality and fit equal to those selling for around US$3,000 in Europe.
Mr Ng holds the licence to manufacture and sell in the mainland. He and his partner exert quality control over the garments made in Dongguan.
He seems a little dazzled by the ambitious plans of his partner, but he is with him all the way.
'I have a good solid clientele in Hong Kong and with new styles introduced by Daniel we have increased our sales among the younger generation,' he said. 'I never visualised myself being part of an international fashion company but with the help of my partner I think it can happen.'
Apart from a higher rent for the larger shop in the Grantham Road shopping mall, the expansion of the company did not involve a major outlay, but opening in China will stretch their resources.
When Mr Pipala joined the firm he contributed US$50,000 to their capital, but so far the Shanghai opening has cost more than that. 'We hope to go into profit by our second year of operation in China,' said the 36-year-old American. 'But we anticipate a steady growth of sales throughout the world after that. We will eventually open branches in New York, Los Angeles and then Europe.'
While running his women's fashion business (handbags and wallets made in China), Mr Pipala established himself in a flat in Mid-Levels and this is where he is still based.
