Story / Gill, garments and workshop history

Gill’s story at the worktable.

Craft story / Poole and Dorset

A tailoring story rooted in craftsmanship, sustainable fashion and bespoke dressmaking.

Gill’s atelier story connects lifelong making with a Poole workshop known for bridal alterations, garment repair, restoration and high-end tailoring for clients across Dorset.

sustainable garment repair approach view our archive of bespoke work contact the Poole atelier

STORY NOTE / 01

Chapter 01

Learning by making

I began my fashion career at school during sewing lessons, or home economics as it was called. I made a very simple elastic waist skirt and fell in love with the idea and action of making my own clothes. The opportunity to be as fashionable and individual as possible, with a drastically reduced cost, while learning new construction techniques every project. Needlework at O level and A level and two years at fashion college completed my academic learning for a while. Bringing up my two sons never hampered my enthusiasm for creativity; my boys always won the best costume on world book day at school!

Bridal work and finished wedding dresses

STORY NOTE / 02

Chapter 02

From bridal work to Tailoresque

I began my own business from home working for a local bridal boutique as their bridal seamstress for 5 years before opening my own bridal shop. Designing and selling my own bespoke designs as well as made to measure gowns. It was after I had returned to work from home that I was volunteering for a local am dram company when the director asked me to make costumes to a particular brief. The director suggested I study costume, as I had interpreted what she wanted with great accuracy. Within in six months I had enrolled to study a BA (Hons) in costume construction in association with the Royal Opera House. On return to Dorset in 2020 the opportunity arose to start a clothing alterations business. In June 2021 I opened Tailoresque, in premises where there has been a tailoring presence for the past 100 years.

STORY NOTE / 03

Chapter 03

Sustainable fashion study

More recently I have just competed my MA in Sustainable Fashion with a merit. Part of which was an exhibition curated to highlight the lack of sustainability in the wedding dress and the creative, innovative ways we can be more sustainable and circular in this field.

Upcycled denim wedding dress in the workshop

STORY NOTE / 04

Chapter 04

Keeping clothes in circulation

At Tailoresque, along with making garments from upcycled shirts to wedding dresses , I strive to keep your favourite clothes in circulation for longer, make the new dress or trousers, suit or winter coat, fit a little bit better and more importantly bring your wedding dress vision to life, through alteration, construction or reworking that much loved vintage gown.

Dress Gill made when she was 16 years old in 1980

ENDING NOTE / 1980

This dress I made in 1980 at the tender age of 16. It was my first venture into occasion wear, making something special, that was noticed. A dress for my dad’s football club annual dinner and dance presentation evening. The only garment I have actually kept form that time because it holds memories, not only of the occasion but also of the skill set learned in its construction. This dress fuelled my love of making clothes to be seen and noticed in.

Materials / downloadable notes

Gill’s manifesto to download.

DOWNLOAD 01

To Make Do Or Mend

Gill’s manifesto on clothing, care, repair and sustainability.

Download manifesto

Appointments / Poole workshop

Book a fitting or garment consultation.

For alterations, repairs, bridalwear, costume, bespoke dressmaking and deadstock fabric enquiries.

Poole, Dorset appointments for bridal alterations, garment repair and sustainable clothing repair.

Workshop reference: TTCC / POOLE / APPT

Address: 13 Longfleet Rd, Poole BH15 2HN

Phone: 01202 679996

Measurement margin: allow time for considered fittings.

Requests are sent directly to tailoresque.13@gmail.com.