Our Ethos
At The Makers Boutique, the ethical sourcing of our materials, sustainability and reducing our global footprint is incredibly important to us. Off-cuts are repurposed for accessories, and we offer learning and making workshops within our local community as another string to our zero waste ethos. We encourage up-cycling, and a few of our chosen makers who sell with us at The Makers Boutique reuse a myriad of materials ranging from tyres for wallets or paddling pools for wash-bags.
We believe that there is a different, affordable way to nourish both our bodies and the planet without the need for fast fashion. We champion long-lasting garments that will be a staple of your wardrobe, and the banishment of sweat-marks!!
And this all starts here at The Makers Boutique.
Our Clothes
"Beautiful and elegant clothes do not need to preclude comfort and the body's natural movements. All of our clothes at The Makers Boutique are designed with this in mind by award-winning designer and maker, Laura Jones. Laura not only designs each garment herself, she hand makes each item to incredibly high standards in her Devon based workshop and boutique.
All clothing at The Makers Boutique is made using ethically sourced materials which drape beautifully across the body and importantly, allow the skin to breath, essential for all of our every day busy lives."
A little bit about our fabrics...
Core Fabrics We choose only the loveliest fabrics to wear. Your comfort and kindness to your skin are our top priority, so fabrics are selected for their softness and breathability as well as their beauty. The sciencey bit Fabric fibres are divided into three main categories: Natural – like linen, wool, silk and cotton. Manufactured/ man made (often referred to as viscose or rayon) – are made from natural cellulose or proteins Synthetic – made from synthetic chemicals The difference between “manufactured” and “synthetic” fibres is that the manufactured fibres are derived from naturally-occurring cellulose or protein, while synthetic fibres are not. This means they have a breathable quality, feel much softer and kinder to your skin and the planet are generally much nicer to wear. Our Fabrics of choice- Viscose Viscose is a lovely fabric to wear. It is a man made fibre, created using a base natural ‘cellulose’ (such as wood) that is pulped and then extruded into a finished yarn. It is super soft and has a luxurious silk like sheen. It is breathable even in the hottest weather and drapes beautifully over the body, discreetly concealing unwanted lumps and bumps.Bamboo is a wonderful fibre. Not only is it softer than silk, making it one of the most comfortable materials you'll ever wear, it is also anti-bacterial, resistant to wrinkles, and is kinder to the planet than most alternatives. The thermoregulatory properties of bamboo fabric help to keep you cool in hot weather and the microscopic holes in the fibre create ventilation. Bamboo feels amazing and keeps you feeling fresh for longer, meaning you have to wash your clothes less. Ultimately, less washing helps clothes last longer.
Cotton & Silk
Oeko Tex Cotton JerseyCotton is a natural fibre, which is gentle and breathable. All our cottons are Oeko Tex certified. Products that carry the Standard 100 Oeko tex label have been tested for and proven to be free from any harmful or toxic substances. Cotton Jersey holds its shape and quality for longer than standard cotton. Silk - we all know silk feels amazing to wear, but did you know is can be considered one of the most sustainable natural fibres with inherent properties of longevity, low impact cultivation and biodegradability, depending on how it is treated and dyed.
Meet Founder, Designer & Maker... Laura Jones
Laura Jones lectures in Fashion Design, Creative Pattern Cutting and Professional Development, having amassed a wealth of knowledge working across the fashion industry.
Laura began her career as a costume maker, stylist and researcher for many feature films and TV productions, including Batman Begins, Tomb Raider 2 and Peep Show. Before returning to education to study Menswear Fashion Design at the University of Westminster.
Laura has since worked as a menswear designer, pattern cutter, garment technologist and consultant for renowned fashion labels such as Nicole Farhi and Vivienne Westwood. She has also as set up and run her own fashion label, showing collections at both London and Paris fashion weeks, and with stockists in China, Japan and across the UK.
In 2015 Laura graduated with a Masters in The History and Culture of Fashion from UAL, where she focussed her study on 19th Century Jewish Tailoring and Entrepreneurship, a subject in which she is now a leading expert.
Since graduating Laura has played a fundamental role in producing a major exhibition focussing on the development of men’s high-street fashion, held at the Jewish Museum in London.
Laura continues to meld her creative and entrepreneurial skills and currently runs 2 businesses alongside her lecturing role.