I was intrigued to be invited to a chat with Steve Duke, BBC journalist and award-winning podcaster on his show The Factory Next Door. He had already portrayed some of Britain’s greatest makers and producers, and was interested in the Tailoring Academy as the institution that teaches heritage bespoke tailoring skills at the highest level in the UK. He struck me as a natural ally in our pursuit of putting vocational education back on the nation’s radar.
When Steve arrives, having climbed the four flights of stairs to the top of one of Macclesfield’s old silk mills, it’s like greeting an old friend. Being the pro he is, of course he has his microphone ready the instant he sets foot in the workroom. I’m notoriously queasy in any on-air scenario but somehow he manages to make this feel normality.
And so the conversation starts, a meandering chat about all things tailoring, that time superstar tenor Pavarotti walked through the door and, of course, the making of a proper suit that lasts a lifetime. We also listen to a cameo recording of Duane MacLeod‘s account of his time at the academy and learn how he took his skills home to his small island community off the coast of Maine, to start his own bespoke tailoring business, aged 70 – what a legend! Reminiscing about past students and their achievements, I feel my chest swelling with pride.
But when we eventually arrive at Steve’s final question ‘What’s next?’, I have trouble keeping my voice steady. Because next up are The Golden Shears Awards, the ‘Oscars of the Tailoring World’ and I have just been told two of our graduates who entered the prestigious contest have made it to the finals! Their work will be judged against stiff competition from Savile Row as well as Costume and Fashion Design colleges from around the country. For me, this means I need to get to work myself and make a proper suit, to wear at the awards next month.
When you tune in to this episode, put your feet up, enjoy and please consider buying Steve a coffee, to help keeping this wonderful show on the road. And if you would like to learn more about how to become a proper bespoke tailor in 2025, why not share your own story below:
