Bradford Museums & Galleries

In 1986 Barket Ali had worked as a tailor for over twenty years - twelve of them spent in Kashmir, Pakistan. He came to England in 1978 to live in Bradford and established the Shafique Brother Cloth House in 1982 (it is named after his younger brother, Shafique), at 225 Leeds Road. Working with a colleague who helped him out with sewing and cutting, he produced lady's and men's clothing, both Asian and British - although the majority of his customers are Asian. For £8 in 1986, Barket would produce a shalwar-kameez (Asian baggy trousers and top), whilst men's English-style suits could be bought for around £40.