(September 4, 2025) In the world of bespoke tailoring, few ateliers carry the kind of gravitas that attracts presidents, prime ministers, and spiritual leaders. The Imperial Tailoring Co. in Moscow with branches in Ukraine and Kazakhstan is a gentleman’s den of fine fabrics and perfectly tailored suits. The man weaving it all together is Sammy Manoj Kotwani, an Indian entrepreneur who, over the past three decades, has stitched a legacy that spans continents, cultures, and communities with multiple showrooms across the three nations.
“Apart from many political leaders, I have been the personal tailor for Mikhail Mishustin, the current Prime Minister of Russia,” shares the Indo-Russian entrepreneur with Global Indian, adding, “I have been dressing him for about 18 years now, long before he rose to his present office. Even Volodymyr Zelensky, who is now the President of Ukraine, visited my shop for a suit back in the day when he was still a comedian, before he entered politics.” Kotwani’s atelier is a trusted address for some of the most recognizable names in global politics. His company has also created bespoke suits for Nursultan Nazarbayev, the former President of Kazakhstan; Serzh Sargsyan, the former President of Armenia; and numerous other world leaders and diplomats.
Beyond politics, Sammy Kotwani’s clientele stretches into spirituality and governance. Sadhguru, the Indian spiritual leader, owns a pair of Kotwani-designed golf pants, while Narendra Modi, during his 2008 visit to Moscow as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, wore a set of short kurtas crafted from an exclusive fabric which was so rare that only a couple of meters existed, reserved solely for him.
“These are just a few names, but in total our company has dressed several heads of state to date, along with numerous diplomats and public figures,” Kotwani says with pride. “It’s a matter of great honour for me to have earned the trust of such distinguished clients. Each project whether for a president, a prime minister, or a celebrity is handled with utmost confidentiality and care. As a tailor, you become a confidant of sorts. And I must say, seeing these individuals wear a Sammy Kotwani suit at important events is immensely gratifying. It inspires me to keep up the high standards and continue this legacy of craftsmanship,” he remarks.
From Mumbai to Moscow
Kotwani’s journey to Moscow was as much about timing as it was about talent. He arrived in 1990, when the Soviet Union was still intact, armed with nothing more than a few hundred dollars, professional training from London, and determination.
Sammy Kotwani with cousins Andy and Jimmy, who look after operations in Ukraine and Kazakhstan
“I first came to Russia (back then the Soviet Union) in 1990. The primary reason was my profession – I’m a tailor by trade, and I was drawn by the opportunity to serve the significant diplomatic community in Moscow. At that time, Moscow had many diplomats and international officials who needed high-quality bespoke suits, and I saw a chance to fill that niche,” he recalls.
Four years later, in 1994, he founded Imperial Tailoring Co., positioning it as a bespoke house that would serve the most powerful. The timing was impeccable. Russia was opening up to the world, and Kotwani, with his mastery of fabrics and eye for precision, steadily became the tailor of choice for diplomats and rising political figures. Starting with a single atelier in Moscow, the venture has now grown into multiple ateliers across Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan extending its reach and reputation across the region.
The art of dressing leaders
For Kotwani, tailoring is more than just a profession; it is a craft that involves trust and rapport. “I’ve been very fortunate in my career to dress some truly eminent people,” he says. “I believe the reason these leaders come to us is not just the quality of the suit, but the relationship and understanding we build with them.”
Sammy Kotwani styling Russian footballer Roman Zobnin
Each garment is carefully designed to reflect the stature of its wearer, often made with rare fabrics reserved exclusively for high-ranking clients. Confidentiality is paramount, as is the emotional connection built over years. In many ways, Kotwani’s suits have accompanied leaders at different phases of their careers like dressing Mishustin long before he rose to Russia’s premiership or outfitting Zelensky when he was still a comedian discovering his public voice.
Balancing many hats with grace
Yet, Kotwani’s influence cannot be confined to the walls of his atelier. He is also a prominent community leader, serving as President of the Indian Business Alliance (IBA) in Russia and heading the Indian National Cultural Center ‘SITA’, which he established in 2016.
Balancing entrepreneurship with cultural leadership might seem daunting, but Kotwani insists it comes down to passion and perspective. “For me, it’s all about mindset and passion. I truly believe life is a festival. Every single day is a celebration. When you enjoy what you do, switching between roles doesn’t feel like a burden,” he says. “One life, many roles – I embrace them all with a smile, and that keeps me balanced.”
Sammy Kotwani
This ability to wear the hats of a tailor, entrepreneur, cultural organizer, and business leader together has made him one of the most visible Indian faces in Russia. His leadership within IBA places him at the center of India–Russia trade discussions, while SITA has become the hub for cultural exchange.
Family as the catalyst for culture
Sammy Kotwani points to his family as the spark behind his cultural initiatives. Raising three daughters in Moscow brought with it a responsibility to ensure they stayed connected to their Indian roots. “A big inspiration for me was my family. I’m a father of three daughters. Raising my children in Russia, I felt a deep responsibility to make sure they stayed connected to our Indian culture,” he reflects.
This personal motivation blossomed into a community mission. Through SITA, he began organizing cultural events engaging the Indian diaspora and welcoming Russian audiences into the vibrancy of Indian traditions. “I started organizing cultural events and festivals so that not only my children, but the entire younger generation of Indians in Russia (and even our Russian friends) could experience the richness of Indian traditions,” he says.
A philosophy of celebration
What drives Kotwani through the maze of tailoring, leadership, and organizing large-scale festivals is the philosophy to treat life itself as a festival. “Everyone gets the same 24 hours in a day. It’s just about managing those hours efficiently and joyfully,” he says. His optimism, paired with an ability to prioritize and delegate, allows him to move effortlessly between his many responsibilities.
Sammy Kotwani during Holi celebrations in Moscow
He also credits his teams both at The Imperial Tailoring Co. and within his cultural organizations for supporting his vision. Together, they create not only finely tailored garments but also cultural experiences that leave lasting impressions on both Indians and Russians.
A legacy of fabric and friendship
Today, Sammy Kotwani stands at the intersection of business and culture, bridging nations with both needle and vision. His tailoring brand continues to flourish beyond Russia to Kazakhstan, and Ukraine with his cousins managing the business in the two countries, while his cultural endeavours through SITA and IBA cement his role as a custodian of India’s image in Russia.
Through it all, his guiding belief remains unchanged: that life is best lived with passion, positivity, and celebration. Whether he is styling the outfit of a head of state, hosting cultural festivals for thousands, or ensuring his daughters remain rooted in heritage, Kotwani’s life’s work reflects the mission to weave together the threads of tradition, diplomacy, and friendship.
Sammy Kotwani with Narendra Modi when the latter visited Russia as CM of Gujarat in 2008
With every suit tailored and every festival staged, Sammy Kotwani continues to stitch together not just fabric, but the very fabric of relationships between India and Russia.
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