Crafting Beauty From the Land: Tailoring, Natural Dyes & Local Wool with Alis Le May (#160
Description
Step into the studio with bespoke tailor Alis LeMay, whose Glasgow-based craft blends heritage techniques, natural dyes, British wool, and a deep respect for the land. In this inspiring conversation, Alis shares how chance encounters, traditional skills, and local collaborations shaped her journey from animation student to couture dressmaker — and why natural materials are at the heart of her latest project, Clò an Tìr (“cloth of the land”).
Discover:
- The magic of British wool
- How natural dyes shift and glow in changing light
- The rigour, romance, and reality of bespoke tailoring
- Glasgow’s forgotten textile history
- The joy of collaboration and apprenticing - Why fit, craft, and local production still matter
- And hear about incredibly large statues, made of wool!
Whether you're into slow fashion, heritage craft, textiles, sustainability, or just a good creative origin story, this episode is a rich, warm, craft-filled journey.
You can find Alis on the web at alislemay.com and on Instagram as @alis_le_may
Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology
Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.
Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.
United States
