Mr Choo Foo Wah, founder of Fatman Singapore Gents' Wear Company, was a member of the Singapore Masters Tailors Association since the early 1950s. This certificate affirms Fatman's membership in the association, as well as membership in the Federation of the Asian Master Tailors, both providing the opportunity for Fatman to be involved in discussions and exchanges with other fellow tailors locally and regionally.Fatman Singapore Gents’ Wear Company was one of the local tailor shops that specialised in the making of men’s Western suits as early as the 1950s. Its branding of a fat gentleman in a Western suit which is unique and familiar to many, implied that the tailors at Fatman understood the male body, and could tailor clothes to fit all body types. Mr Choo first started out as an apprentice to a local tailor (specialising in making Western suits), before setting up his own business, Singapore Tailor, at Desker Road (1955–1957). Later the business was renamed Fatman Singapore Gents’ Wear Company, with its main shop in Jalan Besar (1957–2009), later Whampoa area (2009–2018), as well as branches along Victoria Street (1975–1981) and in the Orchard Road area (1981–1994). In the 1960s, with Western culture making greater inroads into the local fashion consciousness, there was an increasing popularity for made-to-measure clothing which led to a demand for tailors who could replicate coveted Western designs. Between the 1970s and the 1980s, Fatman was one of the most renowned tailor shops in Singapore, ordering fabrics from London to satiate the growing demands of consumers, who also appreciated Fatman's fine workmanship.
