This is where the new designs are conceived, constructed and tested prior to production. Australian designer Frances Carrington works with a talented group of tailors and cutters to bring the new collection to life.

Arshad, 25, is head of the sampling room and cuts all of the new designs, usually without a pattern! This talented young man comes from Delhi, and is the second oldest of eight children. He started working as a tailor at 15, and quickly learnt freehand cutting from his older brother. He sends all his salary to his parents who are saving to buy their first house, and to help with the education of his younger brothers and sisters.

Shamin and Bablu both come from Fatepur village, a tobacco growing area in West Bengal. Shamin came to Dharamsala looking for work 6 years ago, and has since bought his two brothers and eight cousins to the workshop, providing us with a very valuable and talented workforce!

Bablu is an only child, and his father died in a fight when he was six months old. He learnt to sew when he was ten years old, and has been working as a tailor ever since, supporting his wife and two children as well as his mother, who doesn’t have access to a pension. Bablu’s dream is to have his own tailoring business one day in Fatepur village.