Laura & Melinda, New York

Turkish-born Mustafa Kip named his Lower East Side tailor shop Laura & Melinda after two of his daughters. Having sewn since the age of eleven, Kip continues to work to nip, tuck and shorten or completely re-cut dresses, suits and other garments. Weddings are a particular specialty, and there’s no shortage of praise from blushing brides for his timely and precise alterations and fittings of the gowns. The bill is another surprise, as it’s much less than most other city tailors, thanks in part to Kip’s own frequency on site at the diminutive, simple shop, where his Turkish connections help fill the brick-walled store with beautiful rugs, wall-hangings, fabrics and vintage frocks.