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Acclaimed Manhattan Tailor Donates Suits To Sandy Victims In Need

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some of those impacted the most by Superstorm Sandy are now proud owners of wool, silk and cashmere suits.

A Manhattan tailor decided to lend a hand to people trying to rebuild their lives, especially those looking for jobs.

Wilfredo Paneto is looking for a job in the security field. He got one of about 50 brand-new suits donated by tailor Mohan Ramchandani, who sought to help those displaced by Sandy.

"I lost everything -- all the clothes, everything, pictures and stuff. It's hard with seven kids," Paneto told CBS 2's Emily Smith on Thursday. "I am hoping this right here is like a super suit I can put on and make a change and make a difference."

Richard Chirelli said he's been living in a shelter since Sandy.

"They know what we lost. Everyone lost everything," he said.

And that includes all of his clothing.

"When I am dressed, I feel a lot better and this is a good step in the right direction for me," Chirelli said.

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Mohan's is a high-end custom tailor business. Their clients walk in and pick the fabric before having the suit created for them. They have a star-studded list of clients.

"We have Mayor [Ed] Koch, Mayor [Rudy] Guiliani, Kris Humphries from the Brooklyn Nets," Roma Ramchandani said.

All of the donated suits were ones customers forgot about and never paid for. So Mohan Ramchandani decided to call the Salvation Army and do individual fittings at his store.

"We have all the sizes and we are going to fit them according to the needy," he said.

"If they lost all their clothing, they at least have something to wear," said sales manager K.J. Singh.

For a job interview, a business suit can make or break getting hired, according to Lori Rosen, who owns a full service public relations company in Manhattan.

"When they make the effort to have a jacket even and a sports jacket and tie and a shirt--- they go to the top," she said.

The suits range from $500 to $1,500. The Salvation Army found most of the recipients by going to Staten Island shelters.

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