Supporting British seamstresses

I am only on page 43 of Lucy Siegle's new book - To Die For - Is Fashion Wearing out the World? but I am hooked.

On a daily basis I am inundated with offers, mainly from China, for 'cheap' hats, hair for wigs and scarves. In 2006, when I started designing, I thought it must be possible to make goods in the UK. I didn't realise how few seamstresses are left earning a living in the UK and how expensive fabric has become relative to being able to buy goods in the value or fast fashion sector.

However, I set out to do this. I had the benefit of a friend who is a fully qualified seamstress, designer and lecturer. Working with her, we were able to create the headwear, using her skilled hands with compensation that reflected her ability.

I have since expanded the number of seamstresses and have a great time discussing fashion, technical garment making skill - the cut and the make - and working together to make the nicest hats, headwear and scarves we can.

So it is possible and still does not make the products too expensive. It is worth trying to bring back this skill without sweatshop rates.