My Story
My Labour of Love is Local
It’s a factory in Yorkshire that’s been weaving blankets for 180 years. It’s 5 generations of shoemakers crafting footwear in Northampton. It’s a design studio in London stitching high street fashion that only travels the distance of a postcode to meet the shop floor it’s sold on. It’s over 100 years of fine bone china fired in the kilns of Stoke-on-Trent.
It’s proudly building brands in every village, town and city from John O’ Groats to Land’s End. It’s giving every proud creator in Britain a chance to Make it British.
Hello I'm Kate
Even as a little kid growing up in Essex I loved making things. From the age of twelve my heart was set on being a fashion designer. Straight out of art college, in the early nineties I launched my own brand - one of the UK's first ethical clothing companies. Making locally was a given back then.
Fast forward thirty years, via a couple of decades selling my soul to the devil (aka working for big brands churning out cr*p and leaving a stonking carbon footprint to boot), in 2008 I jacked it all in to set up Make it British and save our utterly stellar UK manufacturing.
My Timeline
1991
1991 - Fresh Out of College
Graduated from Middlesex Poly with a first in fashion design, specialism kidswear and knitwear. There was a recession on and no jobs to be had, so I made money freelancing selling knitwear designs to various brands and retailers.
1992
1992 - Starts a Brand
Founded one of the first sustainable clothing brands (30+ years ago!) manufacturing everything in our own micro factory in Shoreditch. Pitched up at Camden Market to sell my wares. Quickly decided market stall trading was not for me and opened a bricks-and-mortar store in Portobello. Most famous customer: Brad Pitt. Brand highlight: Kate Moss wearing our clothing in Vogue.
1993
1993 - Designs Dubious Kidswear
After being shafted by a wholesale agent who didn't pay us, packed in the business and got a job designing for Tammy Girl (if you know, you know!)
1994
1994 - The Italian Job
Spent some time living north of Milan, designing licensed accessories for Levi's. Learnt a little Italian, a lot about accessory design and how much Italians value craft, and ate a ton of Pizza!
1994
1994 - Burberry Beckons
Returning from Italy armed with a good knowledge of leathergoods, I landed a job designing handbags for Burberry, back when they had a working factory in their head office. Sadly I was also there when they rebranded from Burberry's to Burberry and closed most of their UK factories.
1995
1995 - Magic & Sparkle
Marks and Spencer called with an offer I couldn't refuse, and I spent a decade designing and buying handbags and accessories for the high street behemoth. I learnt tons, travelled the world and some of my happiest days were those spent with my M&S colleagues. *Magic & Sparkle was the name of an M&S Christmas campaign - who remembers that one?
2005
2005 - High Street Hell
Worst career decision ever was switching from M&S to Debenhams. But my time spent at the now-deceased high street chain taught me two things - money is not everything, and look after your suppliers and they will look after you.
2008
2008 - Masters Level Thinking
Enrolled in a masters degree to learn about ecommerce and digital retailing. Best investment in myself ever made. It taught me a new way of thinking, and gave me back my confidence after the Debenhams fiasco. You're never too old to learn something new and invest in your learning.
2011
2011 - Became a Blogger
Started a little blog called Make it British, not really knowing where it might take me.
Over one million visitors later, numerous press and TV appearances and hundreds of UK factory visits, I have thoroughly enjoyed being at the forefront of the UK manufacturing revival.
2014
2014 - Trade Show Tribulations
Spotting a gap in the market for a trade show showcasing all of the UK's amazing fashion and textile manufacturers, I founded Meet the Manufacturer. Later renamed to Make it British Live! The pandemic put a stop to it, but its legacy (and dent in my bank account) lives on.
2019
2019 - Podcast Host
I started a podcast to shine a light on all of the amazing brands and manufacturers that make in the UK. Nearly 300 episodes later, and it's still going out weekly.
2021
2021 - Coaching & Consulting
Building on my 30 years of industry experience, I launched my signature coaching programme, British Brand Accelerator, to support brands making in the UK. I find it so rewarding working 1-2-1 with small business owners in this way.
My Mission
To save our (utterly stellar) handcrafting skills
To support our (gloriously diverse) communities.
To shine a (bright but energy saving) light on all things local.
Kate Hills
Get a regular dose of inspiration & advice on making in the UK.
Drop your bits and bobs in the box below. You’ll get advice on starting and scaling your UK-made brand, the lowdown on the best UK manufacturers, and be the first to know about my educational workshops and trade events.
Your privacy comes first, your data will never be shared and you can unsubscribe from our mailing list at the click of a button, but I'm not sure you'll want to as it's super useful!
