We are often asked how our students are able, within just one academic cycle, to learn what is generally regarded as a craft that takes many years to master. Part of the answer lies with the fact that we don’t believe in the traditional division of labour: rather than having to decide whether they want to become cutters or tailors, all our students learn the full range of skills. This enables them to develop a better understanding of the closely interlinked, complex processes more quickly. Once they understand the logic behind the construction of the bespoke garment, there is nothing holding them back. But talent also plays its part:
Eshyah joined our International Program having had made her own garments since she was young – she even ran her own video tutorial channel – but she didn’t have any tailoring experience when she arrived at the workroom in September 2025. As her tutors, we were delighted with the ease with which she was able to absorb a large amount of new skills and knowledge coming her way. Her work ethic was exemplary and she truly made good on a promise to herself – to make the absolute best of every minute on the course.
Halfway through the programme, she had a special request: could she take the first jacket she had made on the course onto a tour of Europe, where she had lined up a series of interviews with bespoke tailoring houses. Of course there was no question she could. She went and – low and behold – that jacket had the exact effect she and all of us were hoping for: the beautiful garment convinced the patron of one of the finest tailoring houses in Italy, master tailor Gaetano Aloisio, to offer Eshyah first an impromptu work experience and, when she excelled, a full-time role within their workrooms.
Maestro Gaetano is the president and founder of ESI – the Italian Sartorial Excellence Foundation for culture and education in our sector. He also serves as President of the World Federation of Master Tailors and certainly possesses an eye for talent. In Eshyah, he found someone who not only brings a natural gift but also a solid skills foundation to his workroom.
This is, however, not the whole story – back at school, Eshyah embarked on her Community Tailoring project, an individual project our students are encouraged to work on during their final term with us: prior to embarking on her qualification, Eshyah had promised her father a three-piece suit, and now was the time to make good on this promise. Over a series of fittings with her discerning and clearly very proud dad, we had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful suit taking shape. We witnessed a young craftswoman grow into her strength before our eyes and leaving, eventually, as a fully rounded craftswoman in her own right.
Eshyah at Work
