Michael's Furs, 215 Newbury St, Peabody, MA 01960, US

Kim Pham came to Boston in 1987, bringing with her all the expertise and creativity that comes with being from a family of respected tailors. After years of obscurity, Boston newspapers began to take notice of her when she designed costumes for a performance of Tan Dun's "Heaven-Earth-Mankind Symphony" in 1997. She has been reviewed favorably by The Boston Globe, the Phoenix and others. While she clearly cherishes the elements of Vietnamese tradition with which her family worked for generations, she displays a perfect versatility. She takes great pride and care in her work -- even noting eye, hair and skin color in her design choices. This creativity is also evident in her expert alterations; clients can bring any outfit and return to find that she's made it fit perfectly. Kim tells the story of a bride-to-be who came to the store with an heirloom wedding dress she inherited from her mother. But she had undergone a mastectomy. "You bring the dress to Kim!" she was told, "She makes everything look nice!" When Kim finished the alterations, the woman put it on and saw herself in the mirror. "Kim!" she cried, "You've made my life!" Her Copley Place location is cozy and colorful, with one dressing room. The merchandise shares the room with her sewing machine, where Kim sits, tirelessly dividing her time between greeting those who enter the store and doing her work.

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