Training a new generation of makers is essential in any sector committed to manufacturing excellence. We recently invited Walpole, the British luxury sector association into our workshop to understand more of how we go about this, which has feed into their new Luxury in the Making report.
Here we see our Technical Manager Carlos Iaconianni working on perfecting our antiqued finish. “ There’s a sense of achieving something here. We are makers,” says Carlos. “We put our hands and minds and hearts into the product.”
At Edward Green, we see ourselves as above all else dedicated makers and often bridle at the ‘Luxury’ epithet. However, it’s undoubtedly true that businesses across the land, focused on making or serving to the very highest standards, have much in common and Walpole is surely right to push for policymakers to pay due consideration to this key sector of our economy as we look to grow national productivity.
Helen Brocklebank, Walpole’s chief executive said: “We are delighted to publish our first study for five years, and the most comprehensive to date, demonstrating that the British luxury sector is valued at £81bn and vital to the UK economy We have quantified the significant high-quality employment offered by the sector throughout every region in the UK across hospitality, retail and manufacturing. The UK luxury industry deserves recognition and support to ensure our high-growth sector continues to flourish.”
One of their recommendations is that the British government adopts a geographic indicator regime, similar to that enjoyed by Champagne or Stilton cheese. Every pair of shoes we make proudly bears ‘Northampton, England,’ it’s a tradition we’re very proud to continue and whilst shoe lovers know the provenance, more formal recognition of our town’s unique contribution to shoemaking would be very welcome.
Photo by samlukewalton