This piece was inspired by the previous piece with the title of “Exploring the London Garment District” that we published in our January 2021 issue. It was also because of my working experience in the early days that I started as the supplier of trims for the underwear industry. In those days I came across the term as “haberdasher” for the retail business where we sold our trims through them to the factories. Haberdashery is the name of the shop and it is an archaisms and it is no longer used.

Anyway, it is a business where small articles for sewing, dressmaking and knitting, where trims, narrow elastics, ribbons, buttons, fasteners, sewing threads, tapes and zippers are being sold.

You may find fabrics as well, they are known as drapers, which is also an archaism that is no longer used. You can buy by the yard.

Then there is the mercer who would specialized in linens, silk fabrics, fustians, worsted piece-goods and beddings.

In those days, I am talking about up until the 1960s, where home dressmaking, knitting and crochet knitting were still popular both for the practical uses or hobbies. But today the world has changed completely. But you are still able to find these shops in the main street of the town, but I must say that they are diminishing.

In some shops you may come across paper patterns where rulers, tapes and scissors are being supplied.

The reason why I am bringing up this subject is to let those who may have the interest to start their own business and try to explore all the possibilities out there. We have to know that everything starts with an idea and when you can put it together and you can launch it to the market you would want to introduce. And because I said in the beginning that I was inspired by the article we published in January 2021, I would explore the subject from London first. I may explore more in different cities around the world if I can find their existence.