Soho based Bespoke Tailor offering 1-1 mentorship covering fashion design, pattern-cutting, tailoring, sewing & more. BA Bespoke Tailoring Graduate from London College of Fashion, UAL.

Find out more about Leisha

• When did you start practicing? How did this passion find you?

  My interest in making clothing started at an early age, from wanting to choose my own clothes and tweak certain parts of them. I started reworking my own garments and adding embellishment, then conveniently found an old sewing machine at a boot sale when I was 9. My passion grew whilst at school when I studied design and textiles with an incredible teacher that I still keep in contact with. That was when I understood how valuable teaching is and how it can encourage students to pursue their talents and interests. After studying fashion design at the FRA, my passion for deep-rooted craftsmanship made me choose to study bespoke tailoring at LCF. Since graduating I have worked for multiple brands and stylists whilst freelancing, as well as teaching my skills at a sewing school. It was at this point that I realised how much fun it is to teach and how rewarding it can be sharing your skillset to inspire and help others reach their goals.

• Which artists or works affect you the most?

  Many artists inspire me but the ones that pop into my head first are brands with a purpose and strong values. Riedizione Sartoria and Robert Wun were some of my early inspirations and where I interned whilst at the university. I am attracted to both of them for their dedication to craftsmanship and unique way of developing concepts, as well as being forward-thinking within the industry. I love the works of Bethany Williams for her dedication to social impact through her work. Nicholas Daley for his use of colours, textures and craft techniques. Bode for their use of vintage upcycling and heritage design. Some of the classics that I am in awe of with their work and impact on the industry are Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Maison Margiela.

• What are the qualities and skills required to succeed in this area?

  Creating things with your hands always takes patience, time and persistence. Once you've got these under your belt the last thing is practice! The best this is to dedicate an allocated time slot to fulfil your goals and stick to them, creating the space to get what you want to be done.

• What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  With everything comes its challenges. The trick is to decide what you actually want. I'd suggest having a clear brief or project goal at the beginning, then plan your weekly goals to reach it. Otherwise, you'll always use as much time as you have. If there's no deadline, it likely will take forever to get done. Lastly, don't overwork yourself to the point where you are not enjoying it, make sure to take rest breaks between to help recharge your focus.

• How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  The passion I have for making is something I feel run through my body like a flood of dopamine when I'm doing it, it excites me and re-energises me. There's nothing sweeter than finding that perfect fabric for a project or seeing your creations on its final wearer! Luckily it's something that I've been able to tap into since I was young and was able to keep fuelling the fire and persist with making a career from doing what I love. The most rewarding part for me is seeing your finished item in action in its greater purpose.

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  2019 was a great year for me, I reached the finals of the Golden Shears Awards which was pretty fun! I also secured my university-industry placement at my dream tailor Riedizione Sartoria and got into the finals of the Huntsman x LCF collaboration. More recently in 2021, I won the studio space in Carnaby, Soho as part of the Shaftesbury tailoring bursary competition. That's easily my biggest achievement which has set up my career and business in ways that I couldn't have done without it.

• Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  All the time! It's surprising how quickly some people pick it up, I think people underestimate how able your hands can be at creating if you learn the right method or techniques. Of course with making clothes, there are tons of right ways to do it, but once someone opens up about how and why we do certain steps of the process then it becomes easy with practice.

• Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  Patience, fun and adaptation. The key to teaching is all in understanding your student, adapting the classes to their needs and ways of learning, and then of course making it fun!