Must-have underwear: Charm and Laundry
Charm and Laundry is a delightful lingerie and clothing company whose aim is to provide customers with unique and customised pieces made ethically by hand here in England. 
Charm and Laundry’s collection conveys a real sense of care and effort. The idea for the company began as an alternative to mass-produced and often unethically sourced high street garments. The company is epitomised in their ethos of “No high fashion at high prices, or fast fashion at low prices.” From initial pattern cutting to final make up, the items are individually made which means customers receive a limited edition. Pieces are a fair price, calculated by resources used and time spent. 
Kerrie Curzon, the creative designer behind Charm and Laundry, trained in pattern cutting in Brighton but has always had sewing in her genes. After being taught to sew by her mother, who now makes handbags after years of upholstering, Curzon followed in the footsteps of her gran who also made clothes and is still very much a part of Charm and Laundry.
“My Gran made a lot of clothes over her 90 years and I am so pleased to have use of many of her threads, lace, buttons, fabric, half-made items, sewing machine and even the chest-of-drawers she kept them all in and the sewing tin filled with treasures.”
The “puffy pants” and “puffy bra” are key shapes in the collection and are available in any fabric. Cute simple vests are also available in bold and fun prints, or in a sweet rose print knit. Customers are able to tailor their order with various sizes and fabric options to choose from. Besides Charm and Laundry’s collection of underwear and vests, commissions are also taken for other garments. In the past, alongside more usual items such as dresses and skirts, this has also included an Edwardian style three-piece suit. Charm and Laundry will soon be adding a retro style swimsuit to the collection, which follows vintage shapes that are more flattering and “kinder to the body”; definitely one to get your hands on for summer 2013. Underwired bras will also soon be available on a custom-made basis giving customers control of style, shape and fabric choice, as well as exact sizing.
Just to add that final personal touch, Charm and Laundry also offer sewing and pattern cutting lessons for all levels including children. Improve your dressmaking skills, learn a new technique or bring along your own work for practical help – everyone is welcome.
Charm and Laundry is available online, at various craft fairs in the Brighton area and in Amelia’s Wardrobe in Guernsey.
To find out more click here.
Hollie Bracciale
Photos: Jim Stephenson/Charm and Laundry
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