ABC Awards Level 3 Diploma in Bespoke Cutting and Tailoring (NVQ) is currently being offered by one of the tailors on Savile Row London.  The Savile Row Academy, part of Maurice Sedwell Tailors recently had a Moderation visit at which ABC took the opportunity to chat to some of the learners about their experiences.  Unfortunately the Principal, Andrew Ramroop, OBE and the Assessor Ansel Wong were not able to be at the Academy due to an illness contracted in Trinidad - but the visit went ahead with the learners. Margaret Ramsbottom.

Learners showed an inordinate amount of initiative when seeking a position on Savile Row, most of them had gone from door to door just to ask if they could be considered for any jobs / training opportunities that might be available and it certainly paid off.

However, in the case of Gregory Urban Mills, his arrival at Savile Row was slightly more unconventional. At a Fashion Week in Trinidad, Gregory met Andrew Ramroop and after a discussion about a career, Andrew invited Gregory to study with him at Savile Row.  Gregory has undertaken the ABC Level 3 Diploma, Handcrafted Tailoring units and hopes that the skills he has acquired will allow him to take his skills back to Trinidad. The University of Trinidad and Tobago wants to offer a Bespoke Tailoring programme and Gregory hopes to use his Savile Row training to teach on this programme.

 

Elizabeth Mair Clifford found her way to Savile Row following the completion of her degree in Psychology in London.  She applied on line to the Academy and was accepted to complete the training.  Elizabeth hopes to stay in London and get a job in the Bespoke Tailoring environment.

Alexander Romain Thistlethwaite Estorick saw a BBC 4 programme about apprenticeships on Savile Row and approached the Academy for an interview.  Alexander was interested in menswear but felt that he needed a craft and wanted to re-train following his Degree in Art History.  He wanted a career that somehow would enable him to mesh together his art studies with a craft.  Despite absolutely no experience of sewing, Alex feels he has already gained so much knowledge and would like to undertake an apprenticeship but a job anywhere would be good.

Andrew Taylor Bosher, originally from the USA went to Italy to study fashion and sewing.  Whilst on a layover in London, he called in to Maurice Sedwell to meet with Andrew Ramroop.  Following his return to Italy, Andrew Ramroop invited him to come back to Savile Row and undertake an apprenticeship.  Andrew spent a year in the shop and then returned to the USA and then Italy.  However, he wanted to finish his sewing training and returned to Savile Row to complete the NVQ in a year and a half.  Andrew, as part of his study had carried out an impressive comparative analysis of Health & Safety issues.  He is now focussing his area of expertise on waistcoat making.  He has his own studio and also works for a number of other tailors on Savile Row.

Jennie Adamson from Stockport has completed her ABC Awards qualification and is now working full time for Maurice Sedwell as a trainee cutter.  Jennie was unsuccessful with getting onto the University course she had chosen, so e-mailed Savile Row on the off chance she might be able to secure a placement.  Andrew Ramroop invited her for interview and she was one of the first cohorts of learners on the ABC qualification.  Jennie is happy living in London as she feels this is the best place for her to pursue her chosen career.