To begin with Andy Young kindly gave me a brief introduction to the company's history and relatively recent shift in focus towards waxed cotton production. He showed me the company's latest product lines - representatives of the company are just back from Paris & Milan trade shows where they were presenting their diverse waxed cotton and waxed silk products to designers of outdoor wear.
Infact here's a garment test/sample Andy showed me that menswear designer Nigel Cabourn (whose lines are often inspired by vintage military apparel) produced with Halley Stevenson waxed cotton.
The rolls of fabric had such a variety of weights and textures - they are definitely materials to feel and scrunch up and wax treated cottons just get better with wearing and aging - a bit like a leather jacket or old leather chair they mold and fit to the user. The waxed silk felt incredible to touch and the Beeswax treated cloth was a firm favourite.
Ever the nerd I was totally intrigued by the Laboratory! This is where fabric dyes and wax mixes are developed. Sadly the lab team were away the day I visited so I do hope I can catch them next visit. I wonder if I'll get to wear a white lab coat and goggles (yes please!)
Andy showed me the vast machines that dye, wash and wax the huge rolls of cotton textile.
The machines were all a stunning 1950's style minty green colour! (freshly painted Andy reported) Its an impressive operation which the company are understandably keen to keep a trade secret so no pictures of those textile treatment processes! Halley Stevenson is only one of four companies world wide that produces waxed cotton cloth so they are a highly specialised niche industry. The noise of the machinery meant talking wasn't so easy so I nodded and smiled with staff. I'm going to return in a few weeks to meet folk in the works Canteen where hopefully we'll get a chance to chat over lunch.
Part of my tour took in the factory Mill Shop which sells a great variety of furnishing fabrics and interiors textiles. There I met Linda and Nancy, who as well as working for Halley Stevensons work freelance as curtain makers and dressmakers (we exchanged business cards). I'll be returning to the Mill Shop soon to spend a little time between customer sales and enquiries exchanging stories and work experiences. Linda's tool of her trade are a "decent pair of scissors". I think amongst the tailors that's gonna come up again and again.
Apparently a number of Costumers use some of the shops bold, heavier weight fabrics to great effect on stage. I can see that and I also have my eye on a roll of fabric that could work well for a sculptural skirt I've in the pipeline!
Look forward to coming back to get to learn more about the company and the people at Halley Stevensons. Thanks to Andy, Linda and Nancy for a warm welcome and an openous to the project.
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