Garmology - A podcast about clothes, and stuff.

Crafting Beauty From the Land: Tailoring, Natural Dyes & Local Wool with Alis Le May (#160

Garmology - A podcast about clothes, and stuff.

Show Notes

Step into the studio with bespoke tailor Alis LeMay, whose Glasgow-based craft blends heritage techniques, natural dyes, British wool, and a deep respect for the land. In this inspiring conversation, Alis shares how chance encounters, traditional skills, and local collaborations shaped her journey from animation student to couture dressmaker — and why natural materials are at the heart of her latest project, Clò an Tìr (“cloth of the land”).

Discover: - The magic of British wool - How natural dyes shift and glow in changing light - The rigor, romance, and reality of bespoke tailoring - Glasgow’s forgotten textile history - The joy of collaboration and apprenticing - Why fit, craft, and local production still matter - And hear about incredibly large statues, made of wool!

Whether you're into slow fashion, heritage craft, textiles, sustainability, or just a good creative origin story, this episode is a rich, warm, craft-filled journey.

More from Garmology - A podcast about clothes, and stuff.

Aug 27, 2026

In this episode of Garmology, Nick is joined by investigativejournalist and author Tansy Hoskins to discuss her fascinating newbook, Charity Shop World. What begins as a conversation aboutBritain's beloved charity shops quickly becomes a deep exploration ofclothing consumption, waste, fast fashion, global trade, community,charity, and the hidden journeys our unwanted clothes take after wedrop them into a donation bag.

Jul 16, 2026

In this episode of Garmology, Nick stays in Norway and heads to the spectacular west coast to meet Solveig, founder of Indigo Indigo, a fabric and sewing pattern business based near the famous Lysefjord in Norway.

Jul 3, 2026

In this episode of Garmology, Nick heads to Edinburgh to meet Laurence, founder of Woolkind—a colourful knitwear brand built on a deceptively simple idea: what if clothing was made exactly how people wanted it, and made to last?

Jun 18, 2026

In this episode of Garmology, Nick heads to London to meet Anthony Princi — designer, educator, and founder of Fashion Department. What unfolds is an intense, honest, and deeply practical conversation about how fashion actually works behind the scenes.

Jun 5, 2026

Peter Noah joins Garmology for a refreshingly honest conversation about influencer culture, personal style, and the reality of creating content in the menswear world.

See all episodes →