The Last Stitch

Chiman Chhiba carries on a family tailoring business founded by his father a century ago in central Johannesburg. Photo by Darren Taylor

Chhiba’s Tailors has survived the mean streets of inner city Johannesburg. Photo by Darren Taylor

Hundreds of pants and jackets fill the cramped and dingy tailor shop with a fresh smell of new fabric in a shop he once shared with his brothers. Chhiba still works a 12-hour day. Photo by Darren Taylor

He and three brothers used to make suits from scratch. Now Chhiba sells ready-made, imported clothes, making occasional alterations. Photo by Darren Taylor

When Chhiba retires his shop will be replaced by a modern business. “Now, everybody wants to look the same,” he says. Photo by Darren Taylor

Chhiba holds a photograph of his deceased father, Ramjee, the founder of the family business. Photo by Darren Taylor