Established in 2023, WIT is a not-for-profit community, providing opportunities for discussion and education by hosting quarterly events that connect women from all sectors of the industry.
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On Friday 22nd May, a group of our members travelled to Abraham Moon in Guiseley with The Campaign For Wool.
The visit offered participants a unique opportunity to experience one of Britain’s finest vertical woollen mills. Beginning with an introduction and guided mill tour, the day provided an insight into every stage of cloth production, from raw fibre through to finished fabric. A company and product presentation, followed by a Q&A session with the Moon team, deepened participants’ understanding of the relationship between mill, maker and garment, while highlighting the enduring value of British manufacturing, provenance and craftsmanship. The visit concluded with lunch and an opportunity to explore the mill shop before returning to London.
Su Thomas, Women in Tailoring Committee Member and Founder of Eco Luxe, said:
“Our Women in Tailoring group enjoyed a fabulous sunny day in Yorkshire’s Guiseley, exploring the magnificent heritage and manufacturing techniques of Abraham Moon & Sons. The welcoming atmosphere and extraordinary expertise shown throughout the tour gave the group a deeper understanding of the heritage, skill and processes behind the great woollen cloths and tweeds for which Abraham Moon is world-renowned.
From design inception to the production of cloth and yarn, the visit allowed us to see how every stage of the process contributes to fabric of the highest standard. Almost 160 years after Abraham Moon built his first mill, travelling through the history and continuing craft of the company was an experience few of us will forget.”
Here are a few reflections from those who took part:
“It was fascinating to follow the journey from raw wool to finished cloth. Seeing each stage of production and learning about the skill required to operate the machinery gave me a completely new appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the cloths we work with every day.”
“Seeing the full journey from raw wool to finished cloth was incredibly valuable. Learning how Abraham Moon & Sons manages every stage of production on one site deepened my appreciation for the expertise and quality behind the cloth, while also providing a wonderful opportunity to connect with others across the tailoring community.”
“Visiting Abraham Moon & Sons was an inspiring experience. The team’s passion and expertise brought the process to life, from raw wool to finished cloth. I was particularly fascinated by the design and colour development, and left with a greater appreciation for the skill, heritage and innovation behind every piece of cloth.”
“The visit was a real treat. The team were incredibly welcoming, and seeing the many stages between raw wool and finished cloth gave me a new appreciation for what lies behind a garment and the question, ‘Is this made in the UK?’ I was also struck by the immaculate mill and the skill required to run its impressive machinery. In an increasingly digital world, it was inspiring to see traditional British craftsmanship thriving through the expertise of its people.”
“”It was fascinating to see the scale of textile production still operating in the UK and how the mill balances heritage with innovation, preserving traditional machinery while investing in modern technology. I was particularly drawn to the colour palette and weave structures, which offered a distinctive perspective within a classic market. The visit was incredibly inspiring, and I would love to take part in future trips exploring other areas of British heritage manufacturing, from shoemaking and knitwear to silk weaving.”
Special thanks to the team at Abraham Moon for the exceptional welcome, and to Lloyd Almond and The Campaign for Wool.
On Thursday 5th March, we welcomed Jo Baker Waters who shared insights from her remarkable career – from apprenticeships and coat making to fashion design, art and textiles. In conversation with WIT committee member Antonia Sebag-Montefiore, Jo also spoke about her current work expanding tailoring systems into contemporary art, using ethical wool in a world of synthetics.
Jo completed her apprenticeship at Gieves & Hawkes on Savile Row, later practising as a master tailor and developing a signature approach rooted in sculptural tailoring, sharp pattern cutting, and hand construction. She is a double award-winner of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors’ prizes
for “Best Womenswear Tailor” and “Best Bespoke Tailor” (2005). In 2017 she authored and published Pattern Cutting Techniques for Ladies’ Jackets, written to support the transmission of advanced tailoring skills. Formerly Head of Menswear Design at Calvin Klein in New York, Jo was personally sponsored to relocate by Calvin Klein. She worked alongside Raf Simons, Pieter Mulier and Matthieu Blazy, before expanding her practice beyond fashion into contemporary art installation and wearable art. She now works between Los Angeles and London, combining Savile Row precision with material experimentation at architectural scale.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and brought such thoughtful questions, and to Holland & Sherry for hosting.
