Knitwear Apprenticeship

In november a collection of scottish knitwear companies came together to decide to create a apprenticeship scheme to help save their industry. The companies included are: Hawick Knitwear, Johnstons of Elgin and Barrie. The scheme will have 50 places and the apprentices will be trained in handcraft and machine production techniques as well as milling, finishing and processing.

£1m to Save our Skills

The government has given £1m to 'SkillSet'. The money will fund apprenticeship schemes to help raise our falling number of skilled workers within the fashion and textile industry. The apprenticeship will include textile and digital printing, technical textile technician, senior pattern technician and senior tailor.  The scheme will run for three years and the first places are due to be offered in spring next year. The scheme will be over seen by advisory groups from each sector of the creative industries.

picture source 

'Made in Britain' 51 in Drapers Power list

YEY! 

The 'made in Britain' label has made in to 51st place (out of 100) in Drapers power list of 2011. This shows that the public are proud of of our manufacturing and the quality we produce and the growing international luxury market cant get enough of. This only reenforces the fact that we need to train and develop british people in our trades before we lose these skills forever. 

With retails now taking note with a lot of stores launching British labels e.g. Marks & Spencer's & John Lewis hopefully it wont take long to notice a raise in training courses and a update to the current higher education courses teaching not just design but the ability to produce also. 

Picture source www.sustainable-fashion.com

New British Brand launched

Matilda & Quinn

Sally Hartfield originally from a law background has launched this brand after her passion for being creative overtoke. In an interview from the make it british website, she has said that she saw the gap in the market for quality britsh made clothing. She also describes the brads products as softly tailord, quirky, stylish and with that essential britishness style. One of the main aims of the company is to try and source as much as possible the materials in the fabrics from british manufactures from fastenings to arm pads. 

Take a look at some of the collection: 

Source: Make it British 

Tweed not just for fashion - Homewear too!

Tweed not only does it keep you warm in winter but it looks great in your home too.  With the wide range of colours and patterns invaliable in tweed you can incourparate in within any home and room. Here are a few of my faveourite examples.

 

Photos from: http://www.breanishtweed.co.uk/ & House & Home 

A logo for Made in Britain

A generic label for 'Made in Britain' has been developed by PR agency Umpf the aim is for the logo to be commonly recognised by the public to show this is now a factor we should developed into our shopping habits.  It can be used by all companies from kitchen wear to fashion are getting behind their country the first company to use this logo is a British kitchen manufacture

Holland Copper British at its best

Holland cooper set up by Jade Holland copper are an establish British brand who sell quality fashionable mens and women's fashion pieces, their clothing has been seen in Vogue, Britain's next top model and the Times to mention a few.

Jade Holland Copper saw the potential in british uniqueness and produced wonderful collections, here are some pictures of their current stock.

Check out their website: http://www.hollandcooper.com/