SHANGHAI, Oct. 19 -- A MUSEUM highlighting Shanghai's fine tailoring heritage is due to open in Huangpu District next year.

The Baromon Cultural and Art Design Center will open on Huangpi Road N. opposite the Shanghai Grand Theater by August, 2008.

Visitors will be able to see old tailoring tools such as treadle sewing machines and coal-heated irons, as well as suits made 80 years ago.

Shanghai Baromon Suit Co was established in 1928, winning a reputation for its fine tailoring, design and quality. Its customers have included state leaders, and Baromon has been named a Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage brand.

"It is common in Western countries to set up industry museums for a certain company. We decided on Baromon because the brand involves culture and history. We will soon launch a campaign to collect relics of the Baromon brand," said Tang Weikang, a researcher at Shanghai History Museum who is in charge of establishing the new center.

He said the museum would cover more than 600 square meters over three stories. The first floor will feature a tailoring workshop for customers, while the second will display old tools and samples, plus replicas of suits made for such big names as Shanghai's first mayor, Chen Yi, and author Guo Moruo.

On the top floor, senior tailors and designers will ply their trade, allowing visitors to see their skills in action.

"A tailor-made suit involves hundreds of complicated working procedures and these masters will show visitors their speciality," Tang said.