Stanton Tailor Shop, New York

Having been sewing since the age of 12, Pablo Vargas found work quickly in the former garment district of the Lower East Side after arriving from the Dominican Republic. Thirty years later, he and his team of tailors are some of the most sought after in New York. Hems, fittings and alterations are all available for most types of fabrics, but no fur. The shop looks the part of the harried tailor, with spools of thread on the walls, worn and scuffed carpets on the floor and a mish-mash of clothing hanging from the ceiling. Demand often creates lines out the door on weekends, but at off-peak times, pants may be hemmed while customers wait, otherwise turnaround is usually in two or three days.