Sunday, April 28, 1991 - North Shore News - 37 lViaster t tailor back in business WHAT DO 1970s pop. star Sonny Bono, hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky and Vancouver Canucks’ president, coach and general manager Pat Quinn have in common? By Surj Rattan News Reporter An interest in hockey? Perhaps. But a better guess would be an interest in fashion: at one time or another, all three have gone to North Vancouver taifor Paul Minichiello to buy suits. The 50-year-old Minichiello has always had his base of operations m North Vancouver. Years ago he worked as a tailor for Tip Top tailors ac the carner of Lonsdale Avenue and First Street. He started fis own business in 1964. But in $984, the Italian-born Minich:eHo gave up his highly successful) tailoring business, which by that time included a host of celebrity clients. “I guess over the years I got tired of i1,’’ savs Minichiello. *‘J was doing quite a bit of work and it was tike a persona! thing. | would pick these guys up and par- ty with them.”* But now Minichiello has decid- ed to go back into the tailoring business and has set up his new shop, Paul's of North Shore, on West Esrianade in North Van- SOUVEr. “Terut Worth Vancouver on the gap ts tint 1970s) and I'm going oe fth Vancouver back on the sap again,” says Minichiello. MinichieHo is a well-known master at his craft. To prove the point, he flips open a briefcase and displays volumes of newspa- per clippings featuring stories about himself cad shows several pictures of celebrities and profes- siuial athietes dressed in Minichiello suits. WEST VANCOUVER PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT presents DANCE TO THE SOUNDS OF WEST VANCOUVER BIG BAND SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1951 8:00-12:00 p.m. AT THE SENIOR CENTRE MARINE AND 21ST $1GIPERSON FOR TICKETS 926-4375 One photo that stands out is of former National Hockey League (NHI) plaser derry Korab, dress- ed in’ a cheek black and white sports jacket and matching bell- bottom pants, looking at a plaid sports jacket. The outfit would be laughable today, but Minichieilo says it svas pretty hip for Korab’s time. “For three years in a row Jerry Korab got picked us the best- dressed player in the National Hockey League,” he says. And then there was the pint- sized Sonny Bono, one of Minichiello’s biggest customers. Minichiello says he measured and outfitted Bono for the first Sony and Cher TV show and flew to Los Angeles to deliver the clothes personally to ensure they fit properly. “From then on ! just had the measurements on file. If he wanted blue outfits or pink out- fits, which he wore a lot, he would just phone me up."* NHL players, including the Golden Jet, Bobby Hull, have always been steady Minichiello custumers. At one time, he had about 360 NHL players as clients. “Bobby Hull came in and got a whole bunch of clothes just before he signed with Winnipeg. The hockey players would phone me from the road and I would have a file on them and they may have asked for four suits and when they came to Vancouver they would) pick them = up,’’ says Minichiello. His clientele also included such tock bands as Chilliwack, BTO and the Powder Blues Band. Minichicllo has been in the tailoring business most of his fife. He started in Italy when he was only six years old. “We used to go to school from 8 a.m. to tl p.m. and then I would go to a tailor shop and work, and that’s where [ fearned it,’ says Minichiello. ‘At 12 years of uge | made my father a suit and myself a suit. [ started from scratch. [ think my dad still has that suit.’ yes Our technicians have been in the auto glass business for 25 years ASE work guaranteed Division at 407 Mountais ttey. NV ©, ueave the details tous! 980-7511 NORTH S NEWS photo Stuart Davis NORTH VANCOUVER tailor Paul Minichielio shows off the newspaper clippings and photos of the celebrities he has measured and made suits for over the years. The jong list includes the likes of Sonny Bono, Wayne Gretzky and a former NHL great Jerry Korab, who looked hip in the 1970s in a check suit and beli bottoms. Minichiello says he needed the break from the tailoring business because he was getting tired. But now his batteries ure recharged and he's looking forward to get- ting back into the business. SAVE 59% On selected Sofas, Loveseats, Chairs, Sofa Beds, Entertainment Units, Occasional Tables, Lamps, Pictures, Mirrors & Accessories. COME IN FOR A WINDSHIELD AND RECEIVE OUR SPRING CLEAN SPECIAL ‘VIP INTERIOR/ EXTERIOR CLEAN” at no extra charge ICBC claims welcome HORE AUTO GLASS Watda Glass Ltd. 4 Days Only April 26 Saturday April 27 10-9 9-5 Sunday April28 12-5 Morday April! 29 10-6 GEORGIA INTERIORS RICHMOND VANCOUVER bel Ss 2 OFtN 7 DAYS A ween ESE | Leacmend | Friday M3257 suedeNn Way TH89 Ws, GEOAG-A ST (acraus from Ise ay (GEDAGIA S THURLOW) 270-0035 659.0045 y =