Made In Britain

I was doing so well keeping up with fashion month. Before I resume with the S/S 2013 collection reviews I thought I'd take a brief interlude and write about a trend appearing on the British high street. Unlike other European countries Britain has stopped making things. Aside from Henry Hoovers and weapons of mass destruction our exports dwindled when Lady Thatcher took office and closed the mines and factories. We became a service based economy. With the economic downturn and the rise in unemployment the acceptance of Britain being a service based economy has waned. There is a nostalgia for the days when we made things. Fashion, especially fabrics, was something Britain used to be renowned for. Nottingham lace, Harris tweed, Shetland wool - it seems that once upon a time, every county was associated with a different fabric. Recently British manufacturers of fabrics are capitalising on the rising costs of exporting goods from China and Turkey, and old companies that succeeded in weathering the economic storm are experiencing a revival.    

Retail expert Mary Portas recently fronted a programme titled Mary's Bottom Line in which she attempted to revive the UK's manufacturing industry by reopening an underwear factory in Manchester. There were tears and multiple set backs but Mary's Midas touch proved infallible and Kinky Knickers was launched. Each pair of knickers are 'handcrafted by local apprentices trained in lace-making techniques' and they are made using 'authentic Nottingham lace'. The biggest concern for Mary was the retail price. Women in Britain often buy underwear from shops like Primark whose ridiculously low prices have warped consumer expectations of how much garments should cost. Factoring in the cost of materials, labor and shipping with the necessity for a good profit margin, it's quite likely that knickers that cost £2 are the end product of exploitative labor and bad quality manufacturing. Kinky Knickers cost £10 a pair. This may seem expensive for the generation that has embraced disposable fashion, however, Kinky Knickers has proven that many Britons have common sense and realise that quality, more expensive knickers will probably survive longer than numourous pairs of inexpensive tat. It appears that the company is doing well dispite it's higher than high street price point. It is currently stocked in Marks & Spencers, Asos, John Lewis, Selfridges and Liberty with stock 'continuing to fly off the shelves faster than we can make them!'

This example of British manufacturing experiencing a revival is not an isolated case. Topshop has recently released a Made In Britain range which at the time of posting featured 115 items. The collection is described as 'slick utilitarian outerwear and sumptuous silk separates combine[d] with graphic and floral prints in the finest textures to create a grown-up collection that exudes charm'. Topshop has a star rating system on it's website which usually backfires as I have more frequently than not seen items rated one or two stars by customers. The Made In Britain range has been rated highly in comparison to Topshop's usual stock, and though many items in the range are quite expensive, primarily because they are part of Topshop's premium ranges Unique and Boutique, you can still grab a Fairisle hat for £14 or a jumper for £26.

The trend for British manufacturing is not just for ladies as the lastest Topman newsletter proudly advertises a new collection made of Harris tweed. Harris Tweed has an almost mythical brand identity. 'Handwoven by the islanders on the Isles of Harris, Lewis, Uist and Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, using local wool', it's distinctive flecks of colour and strict certification ensure a unique premium product. Harris tweed has famously been used by designers like Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood helping to bring a quintessentially British look to their designs.

The cut of the Topman jackets are modern and sleek. I'd love to add one to my ever expanding collection but if like me you don't have £150 to spare, get vintage shopping. I picked up a beautiful Harris tweed jacket originally from BHS for £12 about a year ago, still in perfect condition despite it no doubt being older than me.