UKFT member The London Academy of Bespoke (LAB) is a vocational bespoke tailoring school based in Battersea, London.

LAB holds private classes in a wide and varied range of topics within bespoke tailoring. The team of teachers currently, or previously work/ed for, tailoring houses on London’s prestigious Savile Row. Every lesson delivered is designed to closely assimilate attributes of a traditional bespoke tailoring apprenticeship.

Class numbers are kept small to maximise the learning potential of everyone involved – tutors included!

LAB’s aim is to share knowledge through a network of skilled artisans, from within a niche area of expertise, to foster and nurture the next generation of bespoke tailors, cutters and master tailors. Furthermore, to do so generously, with the objective of maintaining standards in teaching the necessary skills and history of Savile Row bespoke tailoring and cutting.

The London Academy of Bespoke says…

Our first promise is that you will be taught genuine tailoring techniques as practised in businesses along Savile Row. Our second promise is that we will individually do everything we can to allow you the freedom to learn fully and to have confidence in the work that you produce, both in practice with us in the studio and thereafter.

Upcoming courses

Course: Coat Making with Albert

When: 21st Sept – 24th Nov 2021

Date and Time: Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 18:00pm – 21:00pm

Duration: 10 weeks

Course focus: Each bespoke coat maker has their own technique, unique to that person. Albert has now been working with LAB for just over two years and the course developed for his evening class is very special in that not only do you get to see his method first-hand, you also get to sample key elements under his tuition and therefore using his technique straight away! This is what will boost your knowledge into the highs. If you are brand new to coat making or even to bespoke in general, you will be mostly watching but you may still join this course. This course is the perfect way for all aspiring makers, improvers, or qualified coat makers to gain the wealth of knowledge from Albert’s entire coat making career. Progressing on from this course, you will be equipped with the following tools upon leaving – please note quantity and range of practical samples will rely solely on your individual capability:

. A full record of Alberts coat making process.
. Several informative/ instructional A4 handouts.
. Pocket samples.
. Various/ All stitch samples.

Furthermore, upon completion of your course, you are encouraged to keep in touch, so that you nourish your training via being connected to the network at The LAB.

Course tutor: Albert Nelson began his career working for and old established tailoring house, Wells of Mayfair, at 27. Since then, he has worked with some of the most prestigious houses on Savile Row and currently works for tailoring house Dege and Skinner.

He brings a wealth or knowledge to The LAB, spanning a 42-year career in the bespoke trade, the way he explains every finite detail openly shares the vessel of bespoke tailoring he holds. Albert’s main priority within his career now is to pass his skills to as many of the next generation as is humanly possible.

Reserving your place: Your place will be reserved upon payment of your deposit. All deposits are non-refundable.

Course: Coat Drafting with Gordon

When: 30th Sept – 16th Dec 2021

Date and Time: Every Thursday , 18:00pm – 21:00pm

Duration: 12 weeks

Course focus: LAB’s drafting class with Gordon teaches you how to draft a bespoke coat (jacket / blazer) using its in-house system. The course has a simple yet sound ‘a to b’ structure, with a healthy amount of fitting and balance content squeezed in. Students are taught to take their own measures in the bespoke way first, then directly after, how to implement them into the drafting system at key points that will affect the overall outcome of the draft. To fit your coat, Gordon will teach and guide you through making a plain baste, which will then go through rigorous fitting and balance analysis. The course works on a ‘the more you put in the more you get out’ basis. LAB welcomes questions and are experienced in allowing students to explore their curiosity, whilst keeping focus on the objectives of this course. The ideal outcome of for each student attending this course, is that you will leave with a complete block of your own – we will not say perfect, because there is no such thing as a perfect bespoke garment, but the course will teach you how to get extremely close! The term ‘Complete block’ refers to a tried and tested block model, therefore you will be equipped with the following tools upon leaving:

. A card block pattern.
. A paper blueprint with all workings.
. Drafting step by step and notes.
. A basted coat (fitted at least once).

Furthermore, upon completion of your course you are encouraged to keep in touch, so that you nourish your training via being connected to our network at The LAB.

Course tutor: Gordon Alsleben, 5th generation Master Tailor with over 40 years’ experience on Savile Row. Recently awarded the ‘Master Certificate’ by the Merchant Taylors’ Company for professional service to the industry. Like his father and Grandfather before him, every aspect of bespoke tailoring is Gordon’s passion. During his 42-year career, Gordon has had the pleasure of working for Savile Row firms Huntsman and Kilgour, among others. He has also worked for short periods in the U.S.A, India, and China. Gordon has managed and developed teams, taught apprentices, and students, and successfully collaborated with high-end made-to-measure overseas manufacturers.
Driven by innovation, generating ideas and devising feasible solutions for any challenge that comes his way, Gordon works with every individual in his classroom at their own pace yet naturally manages to move everyone forward in unison, making sure students can cope with the volume of information needed to progress effectively.

Reserving your place: Your place will be reserved upon payment of your deposit. All deposits are non-refundable.

Email info@thelondonacademyofbespoke.com for more details.

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The London Academy of Bespoke is a UKFT member. Interested in UKFT membership? Find out more here.