Make it British: Marys Kinky Knickers

Mary Portas is a woman on a mission and reviving British manufacturing is next on her list. 

Tonight she is the focus of a Channel 4 programme, setting up a factory in Middleton, Manchester manufacturing a range of knickers

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There's no doubt that we haven't produced big volumes of garments in the UK for a while, but in my experience in the Industry there has continued to be smaller more specialised manufacturing units that have been integral in supporting young designers and providing small runs, quick turn around, fast fashion hits for bigger retailers. 

This has all added up, according to the Office of National Statistics figures, clothing, lingerie and accessories accounted for over a billion pounds worth goods manufactured in Britain in 2010.

It's great that Mary is championing this cause especially if it creates much needed employment in the UK. 

My question is: How do we sustain and grow this?

Surely, we need to offer a product differential with garments that are made in the Far East.

So what do customers understand as 'Made in Britain' Craftmanship, expensive, luxury and surely unique design? 

It's a good start if this is how we are perceived, it's probably similar brand values to LVMH! 

Burberrys would seem to be proving this right by offering their customers a choice of unique design details for them to create a bespoke trenchcoat which is then manufactured in their factory in the UK.

We already have some great British lingerie designers that create unique collections in the UK that sell globally, so lets support them but to grow I think we should think outside the box and look at emerging markets and for example, look at offering high end manufacturing for the new generation of Chinese Designers..

I look forward to hearing Marys Bottom Line, tonight 9pm, 

Channel 4

See some Designer Knickers already being manufactured in the UK here:

http://makeitbritish.co.uk/lingerie-2/british-knickers/