Interviews
Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing Set Up Factory in Suffolk
More and more these days brands are setting up their own factories in order to take control of their own production. Make it British member Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing is one such brand. Founder Paul Brown tells us about his journey to setting-up his own UK clothing factory, how it has benefited his brand, and…
Read MoreRelaunching a made in the UK lingerie brand – Lucy Jones Lingerie
Lucy Jones enjoyed success with her lingerie brand in the 1980s, supplying high-end retailers and featuring in Vogue. What made her decide to relaunch the brand in 2019? And how does manufacturing lingerie in Britain differ from thirty years ago? Lucy Jones launched her eponymous lingerie brand in 1981 after spotting a gap in the…
Read MoreHow automation can improve UK manufacturing, with Devanet
Devanet is a British designer and manufacturer of metal and leather components of all types, from buckles and pet collars to bespoke jewellery. In this interview they give some very valuable advice for businesses thinking of employing automation and technology to improve production. Could you tell me about Devanet and the products you manufacture? Devanet…
Read MoreSetting up an Ethical Garment Factory, with Jenny Holloway
Trailblazer of UK reshoring and ethical manufacturing, Jenny Holloway gives a frank interview on how tough it was to set up a clothing factory. Having previously come from a buying background, she shares the highs and lows it took to create a succesful and ethical garment factory in North London. Fashion Enter, is a garment manufacturer…
Read MoreHow to make a British-made heritage brand relevant for today’s market
Brand Consultant, Andrea Freeman, joins us to discuss her work with heritage brands to keep them relevant for todays customer, and share how she is building one of her own – The Beehive Brand. The Beehive Brand is a heritage knitwear brand which has been modernised for today’s market by brand consultant Andrea Freeman. Andrea…
Read MoreHow to build your British-made brand with Ruth Farrell
Starting a British-made fashion brand? Watch our video interview with fashion consultant and British-made brand owner Ruth Farrell, to gain valuable insight into how you can build your brand. Ruth Farrell has 30 years experience in the fashion industry from fashion assistant to creative manager and has worked across retail, etail and wholesale. She works…
Read MoreWhy all brands need a clear vision of the future to succeed with Charlotte Meek
Charlotte Meek, the founder of Yorkshire brand The Stitch Society, delivers a fascinating talk. She discusses branding and growing your business in the textile industry, but the lessons are relevant to all British businesses across any sector. It’s essential watching for anyone looking to build a brand in the UK today. Charlotte owns the successful…
Read MoreUnderstanding knitted fabrics with Rajen Ved of Aristo Fabrics
The variety of knitted fabrics available can be confusing, but understanding the different fabric types is essential when designing fashion. Your fabric choices can make or break your product when it goes into production. We speak to Rajen Ved of Aristo Fabrics, a specialist in knitted fabrics who explains it all. Rajen has been in…
Read MoreHow to become an independent jewellery maker, with Isabella Day
Have you considered making the leap to a more creative career? Isabella Day shares the story of how she started her jewellery business – I hope it inspires you! Many of us dream about leaving corporate careers to make our living doing something more hands-on and creative. But, where do you start? Is it even…
Read MoreWhy all designer start-ups should have the know-how to make a garment, with Jenni Sutton of Fashion Enter
Jenni Sutton discusses the importance of technical knowledge and production skills to designers and start-up fashion brands. Fashion Enter is a large, ethical factory in North London, with a mission to support designers and train the next generation of fashion professionals. They manufacture for many brands, including ASOS, but, alongside production they offer training, apprenticeships, and mentoring.…
Read MoreHow to gain investment for your start-up brand with Simon Middleton
Brand guru, Simon Middleton, shares his advice on how to gain investment for your start-up brand and the importance of professionalism. Simon Middleton is an entrepreneur and a brand expert. In this interview, which was done originally as a Facebook Live, Simon shares his wisdom by telling us about his new venture, Blackshore Coastal Clothing, …
Read MoreFrom Tannery to Leathergoods: The History of Tusting
We interview Gillian Tusting, from the family run leathergoods company Tusting The Tusting family counts five generations as part of the English leather trade. The business began as a tannery, but diversified into leathergoods production in the 1980s, a time when other factories were closing down. Their leathergoods started by rescuing two machinists and machinery…
Read MoreHow I launched my luxury accessories brand with Patrick Morrison of Furious Goose
We interview Patrick Morrison of Furious Goose to find out more about the brand that is disrupting the world of high-end accessories with a healthy streak of British eccentricity. Based in Brighton, Furious Goose products are designed using crisp vectors of vivid colours and bold patterns. From there the designs are digitally printed onto high…
Read MoreHow I grew my British childrenswear brand with Kirsty Hartley of Wild Things
Kirsty Hartley, founder of Wild Things Dresses, talks to us about making the switch from designing for big name brands to growing her own British childrenswear brand. Kirsty has some great advice for other British-made brands. Top tips in this article include: Have a passion for what you do Source in help for areas that…
Read MoreMy journey to becoming a British-made gifts retailer with Kate Tompsett of Happy & Glorious
Find out how Kate Tompsett selects the special products for her Happy & Glorious store and what her customers make of this very British retail destination. Inspired by the wonderful products that are made in Britain, Kate set-up her British-made goods retail business to support British manufacturing, applaud British talent, and keep her carbon footprint…
Read MoreHow I started my printed scarf business with Ruth Dent
Find out how Ruth Dent went from working in IT to becoming an artist and then turning that art into a printed scarf business Have you ever thought about having a career change because you wanted to follow your passion? That’s exactly what Ruth Dent did, when she went from working in IT to becoming…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: Innovative textile manufacturer – British Millerain
We speak to Make it British member, British Millerain, UK finishers of waxed cotton cloth for outerwear who have been making innovative textiles in the UK for over a century British Millerain may have been keeping people dry with its waxed cotton – all over the world – since 1880, but they are a modern…
Read MoreHow Crown Northampton's British heritage and quality craftsmanship underpins its success
How has one of the last remaining footwear factories in the UK adapted to the changing industry? We catch up with Chris Woodford of Crown Northampton to hear how his family footwear business has survived after many businesses have closed down Located in the heart of British shoemaking, Crown Northampton have over a century of…
Read MoreHow a chance meeting at an event led to a very British brand collaboration
After striking up a conversation in the Brand Hall at our Meet the Manufacturer event, four companies who make products in the UK embarked on a collaboration which led to some fantastic publicity. One of the great things about making in the UK is that there is a real sense of camaraderie. This is never…
Read MoreHow the David Nieper fashion house is tackling the textile industry skills shortage
David Nieper is one of the largest UK clothing manufacturers. We interview MD Christopher Nieper to hear about his ‘just-in-time’ business model and initiatives to tackle textile skills shortage David Nieper is a long-standing fashion house based in Derbyshire. The company sells direct to customers and operates a vertical business model carrying out everything in-house,…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: David Watson, bringing local art to life
The David Watson collection is a collaboration with local artists to create silk scarves and accessories with quintessentially British scenes. We introduce you to some of the artists and their designs… After stumbling into his dream job as a cameraman travelling around the world filming sailing, Samuel Petty decided to pursue a second dream to…
Read MoreAbbey England support the future of UK saddlery with their scholarship
Abbey England have supplied the equestrian market for over three decades using traditional manufacturing methods and British raw materials from their Walsall foundry and workshop.Find out about why they’re launching The Abbey Scholarship to support the industry Can you tell me about the history of Abbey England? The company was founded as Abbey Saddlery in…
Read MoreHow to build a successful relationship with your manufacturer with Tiffany London founder of Tiffany Rose and Alie Street
We visit Tiffany London, founder of British brands Tiffany Rose and Alie Street, to hear her advice on how you can build a successful relationship with a UK manufacturer How did you come up with the idea for Tiffany Rose’s maternity wear? The idea came to me when my big sister was attending a wedding,…
Read MoreWhy you should buy local food, with Jason Crotty, owner of Farmers Choice
We interviewed Jason Crotty, owner of Farmers Choice in Hampshire. Read the interview to find out more about food provenance and why you should buy local food from independent producers rather than from the supermarkets Jason, what is Farmers Choice? Farmers Choice is an online farmers market, what we do is we take all the…
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