Tailor

Tailors produce custom-made (‘bespoke’) suits, jackets and coats for men and women.

They may create the whole garment or work in a team, which involves each member working on a particular part of the tailoring process.

Tailors often focus on making a new item of clothing, which includes: agreeing a style and fabric with the customer; working out how long it will take and the cost of producing the garment; creating a design (either by adapting an existing pattern or developing a new design); producing a pattern, either by hand or using computer aided design; fitting the garment and marking any alterations. Clients also come for repairs and alterations to clothing purchased or created elsewhere.

When working with expensive fabrics, tailors may first of all create a ‘mock-up’ of a garment (called a 'toile') using cheaper fabric like calico. Bespoke garments would usually be hand stitched. Tailors also spend some time researching and gathering design ideas, which can come from clients, magazines, brochures, pattern books, art, exhibitions and fabric samples.

Starting salaries for tailors can be around £10,500 to £13,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to between £14,000 and £18,000.

In high quality bespoke outlets on Savile Row, salaries may rise to around £50,000. Self-employed tailors set their own rates. 

You could start work straight from school and learn on-the-job from a master tailor. You may be able to arrange this yourself, or it could be part of an Apprenticeship scheme.The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

It could be an advantage when looking for work if you have some relevant skills and there are a number of courses that may help you with this, for example: City & Guilds levels 1 to 3 in Creative Techniques in Fashion; ABC Level 3 Diploma in Handcraft Tailoring; ABC awards in Sewing and Textiles, or Fashion and Textiles BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Art and Design; NOCN levels 1 to 3 in Creative Skills.

If you are interested in working closely with the manufacturing industry, the ABC exam board have developed a Level 3 Diploma in Production Tailoring.

You may be able to get into the industry through an 18-week pre-apprenticeship course, which is part of the Bespoke Tailoring Apprenticeship Programme offered by Newham College (in partnership with Savile Row Bespoke). This programme is supported by employers, however, the number of opportunities on Savile Row is limited, so competition for places is strong.