The School of Sewing was founded by Barry Rogers in 2007 and has proved so successful that we have begun to enhance and develop our courses further by bringing in new tutors.
Barry Rogers
Barry Rogers has enjoyed being in the textile industry since 1983 after being inspired from studying bespoke tailoring with Audrey Cousins. Since then, he has worked alongside bespoke tailors, fashion designers and bridal specialists, including environments such as workrooms, cutting rooms and factories, in addition to studying at a variety of establishments including the London College of Fashion.
He now has his own successful business, established in 1992, offering a fitting and alterations service for personal clients and local businesses alike.
Barry has also manufactured bridalwear of his own designs for a high street specialist, for which he uses both traditional and modern methods. For the past fourteen years, he has developed this interest to include embroidery and beading to enhance his work.
Alison Westcott
Joining the School in 2010, Alison is a pattern cutter and garment maker with over twenty-years of experience in the industury. After leaving college, she worked for a company who freelanced pattern cutting for workrooms and fashion designers - including the likes of Frank Usher.
Later on, Alison got a studio of her own and embarked on making made-to-measure garments for private clients with a particular emphasis on ladieswear... mid to high-end tailoring, evening and bridalwear.
Highly thought of and already teaching cutting skills and sewing techniques to BA Hons and MA Fashion students, both nationally and internationally, she'll be teaching our new and exciting Pattern Cutting courses.
Julia Wigley
Having joined us in 2011, we are delighted that Julia continues teaching at The School of Sewing. Having worked at Stephen Jones Millinery for 18 years, and assisting Stephen in Paris at the studio of John Galliano making and fitting hats on models, Julia also makes her own bespoke designs.
Julia will be teaching here at our Studio offering her experience and techniques to create wonderful millinery creations.
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