They say clothes make the man, and the man behind the best dressed men, and women in South Florida is John the Tailor according to many famous clientele. Since 1964, John Khoury says he has been creating custom European suits for men and tailoring the clothing worn by the best-dressed people around.
In the 1970s, John made suits for the one and only Johnny Carson. Today, his client list includes former Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, current Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Alonzo Mourning, Penny Hardaway, Heat basketball players, mayors, city and county commissioners and clients from the Keys to Palm Beach.
John the Tailor opened his shop in South Miami more than 30 years ago. He tailors off the- rack suits and dress shirts to give them a made-to-order look. John also crafts custommade European suits from the finest English and Italian fabrics. It takes only three brief fittings to create the perfectly tailored, customized suit, says John.
“Most men don’t want every suit to look exactly the same. I follow current trends so I can make recommendations to my clients about fabrics, cut and styling.”
The secret of a well-dressed woman is the Sharp dressed men go to John the Tailor South Miami’s John the Tailor fit,” says John. He also tailors women’s business pantsuits, skirts, blouses and dresses, as well as special occasion dresses. “What good is a nice suit or dress if it doesn’t fit well?” asks John. “Your clothing will fit, and therefore will look so much better. I guarantee all of my work.”
To handle fashion emergencies, John the Tailor offers same day “emergency” service at no extra charge. He has four talented tailors, including one of his brothers, who work with him and have been sewing under his watchful eye for more than 17 years.
John learned to sew with his grandmother and uncle in Lebanon at a very young age. He described his uncle, Doumit Khoury, as “the best tailor in Lebanon who has made suits for the kings of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Africa.”
“I made my first pair of pants when I was 13, I would leave school to go work with my uncle. I love to sew – it’s in my blood. I love this business and I love what I do.”
John is one of 10 children from the Khoury family, who all came to the U.S. from Lebanon. The Khoury name is a familiar one in South Miami. His brother Maroun owns Khoury’s Restaurant on Southwest 73rd Street. John has been married to wife Layla for 38 years and together they have three children and three grandchildren.
John the Tailor is at 5609 SW 74 St., 305- 667-8768. The shop hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
