From Britain with Love

I trained in Fashion Design in 1987. After struggling to find a simple black t-shirt with no logos, in quality cotton fabric, I decided to make my own. It soon grew from one t-shirt to a small collection of simple everyday essentials…in black. The Harry Duley label was launched in 1996 with a loan from The Prince’s Trust. Luxurious simplicity was and still is at the heart of my designs, and with the quality stretch fabric the collection was soon snapped up by pregnant women.

I was based in London for 10 years, I had my son Francis in 2004 and in 2006 moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset. I work at home in the converted attic, which over looks thatched cottages and rolling countryside…very picturesque and stress free. It also feels quite detached from the rest of the house, so when I come downstairs I can close the door and finish work. My inspiration does still come from London. I visit once a month and usually head straight for Hampstead Heath, then Hackney… I love to people watch and lose myself in a daydream!

All my designs are in stretch fabric, either cotton or viscose. I use a four thread overlocker.

I design timeless pieces for everyday. The collection grows rather than changes. The trouser styles: Long trousers and Parallel leg trousers have been in the collection from the beginning and still prove to be best sellers. Many of my customers come back to replace them years later and are very happy to still find them available.

As everything is made to order, customers have the opportunity to specify leg or sleeve measurements…This is where the ultimate t-shirt collection is unique, customers can choose a neckline and then a sleeve length, creating their perfect t-shirt. The quality fabric is essential to the designs. The viscose is so soft and feels luxurious to wear.

The maternity bellyband has proven very popular. It is very easy to wear at any stage of pregnancy, especially at the beginning when regular clothes are getting just a bit tight! It also makes a great gift for a mum-to-be. At the moment I’m working a maxi dress (or three!) for maternity, which will all be available from August.

Being able to offer a service. The t-shirt hasn’t just come off a peg - my customer knows it’s been made specially for her.

As everything is made to order it has to be in-house (or as near as!); I do feel it is very important to support UK manufacturing with so much disappearing. I have lost many outworkers over the years.

Proud moments come from the feedback my customers give. I receive lovely emails and cards – all personal, as each garment they order has been made for them. More proud moments…being featured in the Saturday Independent Magazine The information as one of the 50 best delivery services for parents…and in The Saturday Times Magazine.

I mainly sell through my own website www.harryduley.co.uk. Also Bumps Maternitywear, Maternity Bellyband, and Pilates Plus. I also sell through ‘house sales’ - it’s great way to shop and I get to meet my customers too!

Ella Doran for her gorgeous work. My favourite at the moment would be the brushwood linen window panel (pictured, below). I have one at my front door!

I buy my fresh produce from Riverford Organic home delivery, which is great.

It has to be Lyme Regis. My friends have a lovely place to stay called The Garden House Studio. The Town Mill Bakery is great, and I also love Burton Bradstock which is very near to Lyme Regis for it’s beach and seafood café, The Hive Beach Cafe. 

I’ll head for the Sea.