Park Wong

Master Jacket Maker (Retired)

Park Wong took a leap of faith and moved to Vancouver, Canada when he was just 21 years old. Like countless Wongs from the village in the post-war period, Park was invited to join Modernize Tailors. He humbly learned the techniques of tailoring and practiced this craftsmanship until he could complete tasks with his eyes closed.

After refining the basic techniques, Park was given the opportunity to learn suit-making alongside his relatives, each of them mastering their own speciality within the business. Jack and Bill were more than just tailors; they were also savvy businessmen who built a devoted community network and prosperous future for Modernize Tailors.

He found the process of making a fitted jacket to be the most challenging but rewarding. He believed that a good tailor had to be devoted and have a strong understanding of the structural complexities of a jacket, the importance of accurate measurements, and the value of each single step of the production process.

Park seized every opportunity to perfect his tailoring skills and create jackets that satisfied his clients’ needs. He eventually mastered the craft and was crowned as the “Master Jacket Maker” at the shop.

He continued to excel in his career and was given an opportunity to create thirty-five suits for Arnold Schwarzenegger for one of his movie scenes that filmed in Vancouver. Wong knew the suits might become unwearable every time Schwarzenegger jumped into the water, but he insisted on providing the best quality for each suit he created because that was his responsibility as a tailor. Park believed that all the sleepless nights and restlessness would be worth it if Schwarzenegger could finish each scene without worrying about his suits.

After 63 years serving the family business, Park retired and passed his responsibilities on to a new generation of apprentices who would safeguard the family’s tradition. Wong became a key mentor of the new owner of Modernize Tailors, Mia Wu.