The 'Made by' Label
Our family heritage in British design and manufacture is what inspired us to make every collection in England.
made by us
Our family heritage in British design and manufacture is what inspired us to make every collection in England.
In 2013 we launched our ‘Made By Label’ to let our customers know where and who made their clothes. It’s important for us to show that our collections are not mass produced, but instead, individually handmade by artisans in England.
The ‘Made By’ label is sewn into every Gushlow & Cole piece and celebrates our specialist craftspeople and the history behind them. Here we introduce our team.
Our story behind the made by label
We have always believed that machinists are the unsung heroes of the fashion industry. We had only just stopped working in the machine room at my Dad’s factory when we started Gushlow & Cole, so we knew first hand what it takes to become a highly skilled machinist, an ‘artisan’ able to work out samples and to precisely sew to the exacting standards of luxury fashion.
We decided the only way we could be authentic about our heritage, show passion for English make and to celebrate the skilled craftsmen and craftswomen behind our products was to sew their name label alongside Gushlow & Cole. So, the ‘Made By’ label was born.
What better way could we let our customers know we make very specialist items, which are not mass produced, and by highly skilled craftspeople.
Our makers are like family, we want people to know their story and to understand what skill goes into each and every one of our pieces.
We hope you enjoy finding out who made your Gushlow & Cole.
And, if you don’t know, just look in the label and meet your maker below...
Stacy
Starting out as an apprentice at the Cole of Kent factory at 16, Stacy then moved on to Gushlow and Cole, dedicating 44 years to specialising in Shearling and Leather with the Cole family.
Stacy is a crafter and has a natural ability with her hands. Crafters have a knack for making things - everyone in the workshop has a specialist area they enjoy working in, and naturally thrive there. Stacy is our sample machinist and has taught many people the skill of fur machining, including Emma and Katrina!
“I never know what I’ll be working on, or what ideas they will come up with next! I like the challenge, it’s never boring!”
Stacy is particularly good with hats, which can be complicated. Every process needs to be followed; the smaller the size, the greater the precision required to control it.
Having found her niche many years ago at the Cole of Kent Factory, Stacy is the master of our Repair, Refresh and Alteration service, with the techniques and know-how gained through 50 years of experience.
Stacy also works closely with us on some of our most high-profile design projects, including those for film, television, brands and store collaborations. She is a part of the Gushlow & Cole family and an integral part of our story.
On a day-to-day basis, Stacy is always in control of the workshop radio and is a dab hand at keeping the pot plants alive. She lives locally with her family and enjoys cake decorating, pottery and her dog.
Carol
Naturally adaptable, Carol has trained in both cutting and fur machining, and is often the hands you see matching and cutting shearling on our social channels.
Carol brings over 25 years of experience to the Gushlow & Cole in-house team. A highly skilled and versatile machinist, from delicate silks to durable upholstery leather. Now, having specialised in shearling for the past 13 years, Carol’s niche lies in her dexterity, with the ability to work across a wide range of materials throughout the entire accessories range.
“I’d never seen a fur machine before; it used to quite frighten me! The only machine I don't want to go anywhere near is the buttonholer; that thing scares me!
On a day-to-day basis, Carol makes the best cup of tea in the workshop and takes on almost everything- including all the personal staff alterations- from George's ups to upholstering a boat! However, there is one notable exception: Carol dislikes sewing buttons!
Carol lives locally with her husband and enjoys the countryside and horsing around!
Things are never boring here, there is always something different to make. Everyone helps each other out…and it’s just a really nice place to work. It's the best job I’ve ever had”
Charlie
“Gushlow & Cole - It’s like working with your family, we are like family, we look out for each other”.
Emma and Katrina first met Charlie at George’s Factory (Cole of Kent), dropping off his work before heading out to DJ. It's 30 years on, and still the same routine; only Charlie drops to Gushlow & Cole.
Charlie’s story of making Shearling goes back to when he was 12 and working in the East End with his Dad. With a huge love of Music, he gave up his weekends to work in the “rag trade” so he could buy vinyl records. He’d mastered a sewing machine by the time he was 14 and became his Dad’s sample machinist, and he had an ever-increasing collection of funk and soul.
Like Emma and Katrina, Charlie was taught by his Family, learning from “the glueing bench” up.
With a staggering 50 years of experience, Charlie's skills encompass every aspect of make, which is rare in factories, as it’s usually one person to one process.
“You have got to know how to do it all, it’s not just the sewing, but the finishing too, people forget that. ”
On a day-to-day basis, Charlie lives on Canvey Island. When he’s not making sheepskin, he follows his passion and DJs for club nights and radio. His other passion, cooking, also makes him very popular in the workshop. Charlie’s chilli chicken is a firm house favourite - although it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted!
My favourite design is the stand collar gilet, it’s simple and elegant…it’s Gushlow & Cole!”
George
It was at George's factory, Cole of Kent in Bromley, where Gushlow & Cole began. It’s where the founders, fresh out of fashion college, started to learn the trade.
George first began working with leather and learning traditional craftsmanship as a shoemaker's apprentice at the age of fourteen.
Studying at Cordwainers and the London College of Fashion, he worked in fashion, from Savile Row to Barcelona, at high-end fashion houses specialising in Leather before setting up the factory, Cole of Kent.
With his own brand, he continued to dress London’s elite and grew the business to two standalone shops and a factory shop.
From super high-end Luxury fashion, royalty, celebrities, film, to aviation, George was the name that London’s elite went to for leather and shearling.
From design and pattern cutting to manufacturing, George has decades of unparalleled expertise. His rare skill set, which can take an item from concept to finished product of the highest quality, are skills that Gushlow & Cole have harnessed and upheld in England.
These days, having followed his lifelong dream of owning his local pub in the countryside that surrounds him, George still has his hand in the game and often visits the G&C workshop to work on patterns.
“I am chief pattern cutter, but their perfectionism can get out of control!"
George always has a cheeky sense of humour and a glint in his eye - everybody loves having “the old master” around, and although he has a tendency not to tidy his bench, he always has a joke to crack…and before he leaves, he says himself -
“ I might be old, but I can still find my way around a pattern!”
Jad
“I love the way Gushlow & Cole is run by two women.”
Jad works closely alongside Emma and Katrina, developing Gushlow & Cole’s hand-knit patterns, and has a genuine love for all things craft.
“I value the quality of make, the conscious fashion and ethics at Gushlow and Cole.”
A creative from the start, Yad worked on hand-finished scarves for Liberty and is now a transformative coach and therapist, as well as a knitter.
Finding the process of knitting to be regulating and holistic, Yad says knitting helps with mindset. Yad is also very much in tune with her spiritual side:
“I was working in adult education when I manifested my perfect job, which would be knitting. Shortly afterwards, Gushlow & Cole got in touch and asked if I’d knit for them - I am now being paid to do my perfect job, and it’s my passion!
Yad has been working with Emma and Katrina for 14 years and lives with her son in Brighton.
“I am looked after and I am paid well. For me to watch the business grow and to be a part of it, I find very inspirational!”
About Us
No Fur
10 years championing #NotFarmedForFashion. We have never used fur or fake fur in our collections.
Lifetime Repairs & Aftercare
Enjoy complimentary lifetime repairs, with expert care and advice. Discover our repair, refresh, and alteration service here.
Our Materials
Responsible shearlings, Scottish cashmere and organic yarns - natural, considered luxury.
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