12/06/2026
Hello and Welcome 💚
My name is Claire, though you may know me as The Ethical Tailor. I am on a continued mission to bring the joy of sewing and garment making to all. Within this I advocate for fair working conditions and pay for all garment workers.
I have been a small business owner since 2017 as COUCHMAN : bespoke as an ethical garment alterations tailor and since 2019 as a private sewing skills tutor. Sewing has become a lost art that I strive to bring back into people's lives. My studio is located in Canning Town, East London and is by appointment only.
I have been sewing independently since graduating from Menswear Design at Brighton University in 2007. Whilst working on my dissertation, looking at the cotton industry my eyes have been opened to the dark side of fashion. Through farmercide due to corruption in the industry, the unknown use of false pesticides that ruin crops. I have been studying sustainable and natural clothing making practices, ever since.
I came into the world of garment alterations when pondering how to use my skills for good. Altering clothes is the most sustainable option after being naked. As altering the clothes we already own is more sustainable than buying new. Also we are not one size or shape and that should be celebrated. Clothes are a canvas of self expression, the fit and comfort of our clothes give us confidence and happiness throughout life, regardlessof style.
If you made it this far, thank you. Here are some things I rarely talk about. I am an artist first, I do this in my spare time to relax now. From a young age I would draw, 101 Dalmatians were a favourite and then whilst at school I gravited to art. Continuing in this direction at college through a Fine Art course, I tried my hand at various deciplines, one of which was print making. To progess my knowledge I went onto study womenswear and textiles at Reading. My studies in menswear followed after this as I want to explore pattern making and sculptural garment construction.
Throughout my journey as a business for good I have been giving back to projects helping people, planet and animals in line with the SDGs.
