Crafting Beauty From the Land: Tailoring, Natural Dyes & Local Wool with Alis Le May (#160
Step into the studio with bespoke tailor Alis LeMay, whose Glasgow-based craft blends heritage techniques, natural dyes, British wool, and a deep respect for the land. In this inspiring conversation, Alis shares how chance encounters, traditional skills, and local collaborations shaped her journey from animation student to couture dressmaker — and why natural materials are at the heart of her latest project, Clò an Tìr (“cloth of the land”). Discover: - The magic of British wool - How natural dyes shift and glow in changing light - The rigor, romance, and reality of bespoke tailoring - Glasgow’s forgotten textile history - The joy of collaboration and apprenticing - Why fit, craft, and local production still matter - And hear about incredibly large statues, made of wool! Whether you're into slow fashion, heritage craft, textiles, sustainability, or just a good creative origin story, this episode is a rich, warm, craft-filled journey.
Garmology - A podcast about clothes, and stuff. · Alis Le May, Nick Johannessen
Show Notes
Step into the studio with bespoke tailor Alis LeMay, whose Glasgow-based craft blends heritage techniques, natural dyes, British wool, and a deep respect for the land. In this inspiring conversation, Alis shares how chance encounters, traditional skills, and local collaborations shaped her journey from animation student to couture dressmaker — and why natural materials are at the heart of her latest project, Clò an Tìr (“cloth of the land”).
Discover:
- The magic of British wool
- How natural dyes shift and glow in changing light
- The rigour, romance, and reality of bespoke tailoring
- Glasgow’s forgotten textile history
- The joy of collaboration and apprenticing - Why fit, craft, and local production still matter
- And hear about incredibly large statues, made of wool!
Whether you're into slow fashion, heritage craft, textiles, sustainability, or just a good creative origin story, this episode is a rich, warm, craft-filled journey.
You can find Alis on the web at alislemay.com and on Instagram as @alis_le_may
Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology
Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.
Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.