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Apprenticeships

korinkahn

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Apr 9, 2006
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Please forgive my enquiry I am without vast resource. I am 20 years old and aspire to become a master tailor. Currently I am enrolled in a Design school-but unfortunately the curriculum will not provide me with the necessary skills to create masterfully crafted,world class suits as by Savile Row or the Great Italian Suiting houses. All of my research as yielded the same results- that the art of suit making is handed down from master to student. I am willing to do anything for the honor and privilege to apprentice under a master. If you have any information that could aid me in my quest to train under a master artisan tailor please let me know, I am willing to commit my life to my goal-

Thank you for your time.

Keith Wall
[email protected]
 

pgoat

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Mar 15, 2006
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I have to fantasize about this as I am in my early 40s - wish I'd been as on the ball as you at your age....good for you and good luck!
 

Alexander Kabbaz

Distinguished Member
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Dec 22, 2003
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Bespoke Tailoring
Pre-Apprenticeship
supported by Savile Row Bespoke Ltd
NewCAD Level 2


Is this the course for me ?
Bespoke means hand crafted and individually made. Bespoke tailoring entails the personal attention of a cutter who measures the customer, creates and cuts a pattern, and directly supervises the making and fitting of the garment. If you are interested in developing your abilities towards a career in bespoke tailoring, this course is for you. The course is also suitable if you are interested in other careers in garment production.

Savile Row Bespoke Ltd
Savile Row Bespoke Ltd was established at the beginning of 2004. The four founding members of the company, all based in Savile Row, are Gieves & Hawkes, Huntsman, Dege & Skinner, and Henry Poole. The aims of the company are to protect and develop the reputation of bespoke tailoring on Savile Row, to maintain craft skills on Savile Row, and to develop a training programme for bespoke tailors. Savile Row Bespoke Ltd has advised on the design and content of this course and will deliver some sessions at College and at Savile Row. Additionally, some students will be offered work placement in Savile Row during the course.

What does the course involve ?
You will learn about basic tailoring working methods and the technical and practical processes involved in the hand production of tailored garments. The course includes;
\tBasic sewing skills\t\t\tUsing sewing machines and equipment\t
\tUnderpressing and shrinking \t\tConstructing canvases
\tConstructing pockets and details\tBlock construction
\tFiguration \t\t\t\tConstructing bastes
\tWorkshop practice\t\t\tBespoke Patterns
An important aspect of the course will be the development of your ability to work in a professional and commercial context - to be able to complete tasks to a high standard and a given deadline, to present yourself and your work well, and to be reliable and self-motivated.
You will learn in a variety of ways, including talks, demonstrations, practical tasks and exercises, assignments, independent study, group discussion, and presentation and evaluation of your work.
There is regular tutorial support and review of your progress, and assessment feedback to encourage you and to help you to achieve your goals.
The course is based at East Ham Campus (five minutes from East Ham tube) in modern, well- equipped studios and garment production workshops. You will also use our library and resources centre, the FLEX, and the multimedia facilities in Learning Waves, our independent study centre.

What options are open to me if I successfully complete the course ?
It will take many years to acquire the level and range of skills and expertise required for bespoke tailoring, and the next step will be application to the one year Bespoke Tailoring Apprenticeship L2 programme. Alternatively you may choose to progress to study other specialist garment production or design courses available at Newham and elsewhere - a wide range of alterenative progression courses is available.

What qualifications do I need to get on to the course ?
You will preferably be 16-18, although 19+ applicants can also be accepted on to this course. You need some previous experience and evidence of interest in making garments, and 4+ GCSEs are desirable but not essential. Please complete and return a NCFE Admissions form and you will be invited to an introductory session of the course in February 2006.

Length and start date of the course
The course starts in September and February each year, and is timetabled 10am - 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for 18 weeks over three terms. The next course starts in February 2006, and you will receive a course handbook and detailed timetable at the beginning of the course.

Cost
This course is free to UK residents and people from EU countries. Materials and equipment to start the course will cost approximately £40, with an average of £5 per week needed for materials.

Contact
Admissions enquiries\tAdmissions on 020 8257 4446 or email [email protected]
Course enquiries\tAndy Jaggernauth on 020 8257 4342, [email protected]
 

whoopee

Distinguished Member
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Jun 7, 2005
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I advise that you enquire at the Savile Row houses and also independent tailors. Good luck!
 

alflauren

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
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470
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Originally Posted by LabelKing
It seems to me we need more of these niche craftspeople.

I agree. It's kind of disheartening when you realize the amount of knowledge that the human race has lost along the way. When I was looking for a bespoke stationer, I was told that if I wanted my die cut by hand the time to make the die would be on the order of several months, rather than a few weeks for machine etched. The reason? It seems that most of the people who still cut by hand are quite old, and don't have any apprentices to help with their backlog. When these master craftsmen pass on, the trade comes to an end.
 

tiger02

Militarist
Joined
Nov 16, 2004
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Originally Posted by alflauren
I agree. It's kind of disheartening when you realize the amount of knowledge that the human race has lost along the way. When I was looking for a bespoke stationer, I was told that if I wanted my die cut by hand the time to make the die would be on the order of several months, rather than a few weeks for machine etched. The reason? It seems that most of the people who still cut by hand are quite old, and don't have any apprentices to help with their backlog. When these master craftsmen pass on, the trade comes to an end.
Ah, but the amount of knowledge gained more than makes up for it!
 

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