Kate Hills of Make it British

Kate Hills of Make it British

Edition #01

www.loreleilondon.com

June 2024

KATE HILLS OF MAKE IT BRITISH


Joins us for a chat at "One for the archive"

Every few weeks we will be interviewing an inspirational friend to our brand. This week I would like to introduce to you the amazing Kate Hills founder of Make it British. She’s on a one woman mission to save British manufacture. Kate’s aim is to put business’s interested in manufacturing in the UK in touch with the many supply and manufacturing possibilities the UK has to offer. Kate also runs The British Brand Accelerator programme, mentoring small business owners that want to make in the UK. 

To date she has helped countless entrepreneurs on their journey to proudly producing in the UK. Kate’s experience in this field stems from starting her own brand and factory after university, she then went on to work in design and buying roles, for both high end and high street brands. I can confirm first hand, that this woman’s knowledge of the fashion industry, wisdom and love of British manufacture have made our Lorelei journey possible and for that we are eternally grateful.

What nostalgic memory do you have of someone’s style that influenced you when you were growing up?

"For me I really loved the Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli she started the House of Schiaparelli in 1927 and ran it until the 1950’s.  I loved her quirky and colourful surrealist design’s, it was her work that got me thinking about studying fashion design originally."

Do you have a fond memory of a garment that made you feel incredible?

“Oh, when I got married in Vegas, it was a bit of a random last minute decision . I wore a beautiful dress by Ghost, which was made in England back in those days. It was a double layered, shift dress embroidered and asymmetrical, very Y2K and that really did make me feel incredible.”

What song makes your heart sing and takes you to a moment in time?

“Any song by Jose Feliciano, I saw him live once at Ronnie Scott’s in London, it was such an intimate setting and pretty special. I recently found out that I share a birthday with both Jose Feliciano and Elsa Schiaparelli.”

Where is your favourite independent store to shop at in the UK?

“The one I really love is Labour and Wait, a lot of the things they sell are made in the UK.  They have a nice mixture of utility clothing that’s hard wearing and really well made products for the home."  


Finally, what is your most treasured garment in your wardrobe that is definitely “One for the archive?”

“Ive got several vintage Leonard printed silk jersey dresses from the 1970s, Ive got one in particular that is really special.  The silk jersey is beautiful and really fine, with the most amazing print.”

Thanks so much Kate for joining us for a chat and allowing us into your archive. - Liane Spencer-Garnham