The Company has been finding ways to increasingly connect with the ancient art of haberdashery. By supporting fashion and textile scholars we weave a modern thread to our history and heritage.
Nuraan experiments with 3D printing techniques to use textiles in an innovative way
The ancient art of haberdashery is a unique aspect of the history of the Company, with fashion being our ‘golden thread’. Haberdashers, until the mid-1600s, were fashion retailers, specialising in accessories.
In 2021/22 the Company provided seven grants totalling £56,520 to individuals and organisations involved in the fashion and textile world. From a well-established relationship with Royal College of Art to a new partnership with London College of Fashion, all of these endeavours connect us more deeply with our past.
Nuraan Petersen is the Company’s current London College of Fashion scholar, completing a Masters in Fashion Futures. This course has sustainability at its core; a theme that resonates strongly with Nuraan.
Growing up in South Africa Nuraan saw that sustainability was embedded in daily life and routines. Nothing got thrown away and everything had a purpose. In her studies Nuraan examines how it might be possible to replace modern rituals of consumption with rituals of slowness, combining ancient crafts with 21st century technologies.
Nuraan is immensely grateful to the Company for its support and is clear that it would have been out of her reach without the Haberdashers’ scholarship.
‘Having my fees paid opens up so many more opportunities than the funding and course itself. Countless opportunities are now available to me and that all started with the funding from the Haberdashers.’ Nuraan
Fiona Betsy Faumuina has just graduated from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Textiles. Experimenting with different weave techniques, using different yarns, learning beadwork and inkle loom weaving, Fiona has really pushed herself over the two-year course. She has grown in confidence and self-belief over the duration of her course, and is excited about the next chapter.
‘I cannot overstate how much your support has meant to me. Without the Haberdashers’ Company, I would not have been able to complete my MA.’ Fiona
The Company’s involvement in fashion and textiles is an innovative and creative part of our philanthropy. Not only does it root us in our ancient art, it also exposes the Company to dynamic and diverse craftspeople.
The warp and weft of the Company is truly enhanced by this work.
Fiona at her Graduation Show
Fiona Betsy Faormuina experimented with different forms of weaving during her Masters course
Habs Scholar Chloe Benham RCA
Habs Scholar Chloe Benham RCA