Stitching New Life: Tailoring Academy Revives Lost Craft Skills

In Bradford, a new tailoring academy is set to open its doors, aiming to revive traditional sewing skills that are slowly fading away. The academy, founded by local tailor Imran Khan, will be located in the newly refurbished Westgate Ballroom, a space decorated with vintage pictures and deep red walls that give it a classic feel. When Lisa Coolen walked into the ballroom to sign up, she was reminded of her childhood, when her grandmother made all her clothes. Lisa, who works in logistics, never learned to sew herself, but she is eager to start now. She sees this as a chance to honor her grandmother and learn skills that are becoming rare.

Imran Khan, who started the academy, recently met King Charles during a visit to Bradford. Imran showed the King some of his tailoring work and shared his vision for the school. The academy is scheduled to launch in January, but Imran is already holding informal meetings to get to know potential students and understand what they want to learn. He wants the school to be flexible, offering classes on weekends and evenings so that people of all ages and backgrounds can participate. Imran believes the academy should be shaped by the needs of the community, making it a truly local project.

Interest in the academy has come from a wide range of people. Zaidan Khan, a 21-year-old, first tried sewing after watching a YouTube video on making traditional South Asian clothing. He hopes the academy will help him improve his skills and possibly turn his hobby into a career. Noor Haider, who has always loved sewing, says there are few opportunities to learn in Bradford, so she is excited to join. Paul Lambsdown, who recently retired from cybersecurity, wants to learn practical skills like altering his own clothes. He believes it is important to keep learning, no matter your age. The academy will be taught by professionals such as Zana Kacanovic, a designer and pattern cutter who studied sewing in Lithuania and London. Zana says sewing is creative and rewarding because you can make something unique with your own hands.

The opening of the academy comes at a time when traditional tailoring is at risk of disappearing. The Heritage Crafts Association has warned that bespoke tailoring is declining due to a lack of training and an aging workforce. However, new programs like this academy are helping to spark interest in sewing and other handmade skills. The Westgate Ballroom has been transformed into a beautiful space for learning and events, with a regal English style. Safora Uddin, who helped develop the academy, works in drug and alcohol treatment and believes sewing can help people recover and feel connected. She says learning new skills gives people confidence and a sense of belonging. Imran has put a lot of effort into restoring the building and preparing the equipment. For Lisa, joining the academy is a personal journey to reconnect with her family's traditions and keep valuable skills alive.