Title: Just Down the Street: The Beauty of Local, Bespoke Clothing
Today, I was in the studio making a bespoke pair of trousers for a customer who, as it turns out, lives just one street away. As I pressed the seams and adjusted the fit, I found myself thinking about how rare—but how right—it feels to make something by hand for someone so close by. Tomorrow I have a customer popping in for a bespoke style that she picked out the fabric for... There’s a timeless quality to it, it's exactly what my business moto says "making clothes the old fashioned way."
There was a time when this was the norm. Our high streets were lined with garment makers, tailors, and dressmakers. People popped into local shops to browse fabrics, discuss their needs, and talk directly to the person who would be crafting their clothes. There was conversation. Trust. A sense of collaboration. Clothes weren't just worn; they were made with intention, often designed to last for years or even passed down through generations.
In those days, fashion wasn’t about mass production or next-day delivery. It was about connection—to your community, to your body, and to the process. People knew the story behind their garments: who made them, where they came from, and why they were made the way they were. And with that story came pride, emotional value, and a deeper respect for what we wear.
Working with someone just a street away today reminded me of how important it is to keep this way of making alive. It reminded me why I do what I do. Because clothes should feel personal. They should fit not just our bodies but our lives—our values, our rhythms, our stories.
Let's make clothes the old fashioned way. x