More young talent to join the Emma Willis Atelier

Our Gloucester creative team goes from strength to strength, with no need for agencies to find local talent, as we can happily recruit from within, with children joining or children’s friends.

In August we will be joined by two extremely talented young men in their twenties, both already with several years of experience in pattern making, cutting, sewing and finishing. Each experienced machinist can make up to 1,000 shirts a year, so slowly and gradually we are growing whilst keeping a personal business and also, of course, most importantly, making with care and attention.

Creative talent typically migrated to London, but now we are seeing the opposite direction of travel. Carta is from Gloucester and has been working in Savile Row for two years, but wanted to return to his home city.

Carta, like many of our youngest employees, was taught at an early age to sew and now brings all this experience to our business, with many years ahead. He is the friend of our head machinist Sarah Robertson’s son, but nepotism seems to work very well for us here at Bearland House!

To illustrate this, we have three pairs of mothers and daughters, two pairs as featured here. Bespoke cutter Kelly Parker with her daughter Lily, 17, who joined us straight from college at 16, and Jasmine, daughter of our head machinist, trainer, and manager Sarah Robertson.

The future of our British shirt-making industry depends on young people, as in any industry, and I was never sure that a return to craftsmanship would come about, but we really are seeing this happening. These cutters and machinists are the heart of the fashion business, those who can make beautiful things for us to wear.

Thanks to the continued demand for true quality and responsibly produced clothing, and a growing number of young, talented people seeking this rewarding, respected work, hopefully we have a bright future.

Best wishes,

More young talent to join the Emma Willis Atelier

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