Recently, Bespoke Textile’s founder, Katie Young Gerald, visited India in order to see Bespoke’s napkin and pashmina factories to see how they work and the luxury products they create for us.
It has always been a part of Katie’s ethos to personally visit her affiliate factories to make sure that they are in line with her sustainability policies. The factory has to be clean and safe, with happy well-paid staff whilst producing beautiful quality products. She performs her own quality control checks on all garments and textile items that she is able to see first hand.
This is how she maintains the elevated standard of production and quality that Bespoke Textiles has become acclaimed for. Bespoke Textiles has recently been nominated for the Venus Awards’ Small Business Award, and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, which is a part of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Last year Bespoke Textiles was also a finalist for The Business Award for Sustainability by the Grichan Partnership.
In Srinagar, Kashmir, Katie saw pashminas being made by hand on traditional looms. A plain scarf takes 2-4 days to make, or 2-6 weeks depending on the level of detail in the embroidery.
From hand-dyed reels of colourful yarns to intricately embroidered pashminas, it was a stunning trip full of colour and expertise. Unfortunately, Katie was unable to actually see the factory where our silk pashminas are made using machinery, but she learnt so much about the traditional art of making them that she was hardly upset!
The pashmina factory may have been off the menu, but she did make it to the factory in Delhi that makes our luxury napkins for our bespoke product collections. Not only do they make napkins, but they are also highly-skilled in making a wide variety of linens.
Katie commented: “I was so excited to see our factories, I have many friends there whom I haven’t seen in years, but on the way I couldn’t help myself from hunting down the famous tailors in the Old Town of Srinagar. What’s interesting is that textiles and clothes making is traditionally a male art in the East. I was introduced to many men who happily make the most exquisite textiles and articles of clothing for their community and family members – and the few tourists with higher tastes!”
If you are interested in manufacturing quality textiles in India but are unsure of where to start, let Bespoke Textiles help you! Bespoke Textiles has introduced an ‘Introductions’ service where we will set up and manage the entire operation of sourcing the right factory and tailored supply chain right through to quality control.
From teddies to tiaras, luxury uniforms to umbrellas, bags to brooches, you name it, Bespoke Textiles has made it, learnt the lessons, loved the journey and selected our top partners we actually use and would recommend. Our cross-cultural teams can offer advice and consultation services along the way. Or, like many of our core clients with already very full plates, you can have our full Bespoke service and we will do it all for you. We get your approval at every stage to reassure you.
If you are interested in this service, please get in touch
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