Marram (sample) is a fashion label of four people in a former rope works in Springfield: two collections a year, made in short runs from cloth we choose at the mill.
We started in 2019 (sample) with one coat and a sewing machine in a spare room. The coat sold out, so we made it again in a second colour, and then a jumper to wear under it.
We still work that way: few pieces, each made to be worn with the others, shown as looks so you can see how they go together.
From the first drawing to the piece in your hands takes about a year. These are the steps, in order.
1
Every collection starts as a wall of drawings and cloth swatches, about eight months before it is shown (sample).
2
Each piece is cut first in plain calico, fitted on two people of different heights and adjusted.
3
We order cloth from the mills once the toiles are right, usually 300 to 600 metres per colour.
4
One sample of each piece, sewn in the studio, worn for a week by someone on the team.
5
The samples are styled into looks, put in running order and photographed for the lookbook.
6
A short run of each piece is made by a workroom 40 minutes away; the rest is made to pre-order.
Four of us draw, cut, sew samples, answer the phone and pack the parcels. Ask for anyone by name.
Designer and founder (sample)
Pattern cutter (sample)
Samples and production (sample)
Studio, stockists and orders (sample)
The whole collection hangs in the studio in running order, with swatches of every colour. Visit on a studio day or book an hour.