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Arshad Mahmood shows off Apsley Tailors' suit. Photo: Thomas Yau

Is this one of the world's most expensive suits? It's a snip at HK$1 million

Video: Boasting 22-carat gold stitching, with a gold waistcoat and diamond-encrusted gold buttons, the one-off is on sale at HK$1 million (US$129,000).

A tailor in Hong Kong has produced what he claims to be one of the world's most expensive suits.

With 22-carat gold stitching, a gold waistcoat and diamond-encrusted gold buttons, the one-off was sold on May 29 for HK$1 million (US$129,000). It took Apsley Tailors 200 hours to make the suit from the finest wool, with gold woven into the fabric.

Apsley Tailors is based at Punjab House in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is famous for its bespoke suits. Established in 1889, it became the go-to tailors for the British forces stationed in Hong Kong, making officers' uniforms as well as civilian attire.

Word soon spread to Europe and America of the firm's reputation as one of the city's leading tailors, prompting it to open a shop in London's exclusive Pall Mall. But in 1997, the company had to rethink its business plan in Hong Kong when British troops left after the handover.

Now, the company has turned its focus on the sporting world, boasting five English Premier League soccer clubs and two rugby teams among its clientele.

Director Arshad Mahmood said the gold suit was the only one of its kind in the world. "It is very special. It's a great achievement for us," he said.

The world's most expensive suit is believed to have been made by Stuart Hughes and Richard Jewels of Manchester, England. The R. Jewels Diamond Edition is made from a blend of cashmere wool and silk, contains more than 480 diamonds and costs HK$7.3 million.

Apsley's suit beats what was apparently the world's second-most expensive suit, luxury designer Alexander Amosu's HK$854,000 creation with nine diamond buttons set in 18-carat gold. The suit, which took 80 hours to make, also contains 5,000 stitches of platinum and gold threads.

Video: This is what a HK$1 million suit looks like

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: This gold suit's a snip at HK$1 million
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