World famous in Ōtorohanga: Haddad’s Menswear made a name for itself for sure.
People travelled from around the country, and sometimes the world, to shop with Karam and John.
Karam was photographed with people such as Elvis’ cousin Donna Presley, TV presenter Marc Ellis and “New Zealand’s greatest guitarist,” Peter Posa MNZM.
He also met UK band Mumford and Sons’ lead singer Marcus Mumford and his wife, award-winning actress Carey Mulligan.
But Karam has also been the famous one on several occasions: appearing in countless newspaper articles, on national radio, and once in a documentary-drama series, Road Trip.
Karam and John were voted to be part of the series by New Zealanders and featured in one, six-minute episode. In it, the two main characters drove through Ōtorohanga and were fitted out with some new clothes.
The episode immortalised Karam’s personality, the shop’s history, and his banter with John.
In one scene, as main character Benni poked his head out from behind the tartan curtain of the changing room, Karam asked, “What are you hiding there?”
“Your store would probably be overrun with mad females if I stepped out like this,” replied the shirtless Benni.
“Oh my god,” came Karam’s stuttered response.
“Ōtorohanga would never be the same, mate.”
Karam didn’t get a photo with David Attenborough, who stopped by to purchase gumboots on the way to film in Waitomo. That was because it was only after the famed documentary maker left that anyone realised who had been in the store.
