Arthur Benjamin & Co. was founded in 2021 by mum of two boys, Stephanie. She grew up spending a lot of time with her nanna & grandad, who previous to becoming grandparents, owned a dressmakers shop in their home town.
“I used to make all sorts with my nanna, I would draw up a design of what I wanted, and have her cutting up bedsheets, tablecloths, and anything I could turn into a new garment or dress for my dolls. She would always end up finishing everything off for me as I was so impatient, and she would try to teach me as she had been taught back in 1942 at the age of 14, but 6 year old me didn’t have time for this and I would get bored and end up leaving her to do all the hard work”
“I used to make all sorts with my nanna, I would draw up a design of what I wanted, and have her cutting up bedsheets, tablecloths, and anything I could turn into a new garment or dress for my dolls."
Although Arthur Benjamin & Co began in 2021, it could be argued that the true journey began back in 1942, when Stephanie’s grandmother left school at the age of 14 to be catapulted into working life as a seamstress, sewing the uniforms for the British Army.
When the war was over and life began to resume to normal once again, she soon realised that sewing had become a part of her, and she couldn’t let that go. She went on to marry her childhood sweetheart and they had two children, this was when her stunning creations really took off. She would make all of her son and daughters clothes herself and other mothers would often request items from her. The popularity of her makes lead to her and her husband opening up a dressmakers shop, which they spent the majority of their adult life making the most wonderful memories and creating timeless, classic children’s pieces.
Once their children grew older and along came the first grandchild, Stephanie. They knew it was time to close that chapter of their life and so sold the shop. But Gladys discovered a new love for sewing, sewing for her grandchildren.
“ I had the most beautiful dresses for every occasion, with matching bows and sometimes even finely knitted socks just to finish off the look. She was flawless in her work and to this day I am yet to find handmade that even comes close, my poor younger brother had to suffer matching shirts with what fabric was left over.”
“I owe all of my inspiration and love for creating handmade garments to my grandmother, when I am designing, sewing, finding fabrics and even choosing buttons, it just brings back the most incredible memories of my childhood with her. At the age of 94, she still owns and uses the one and only machine she has ever owned. Bought as a gift by my grandfather in 1955.”
Even to this day I cannot wait to visit her and show her the new designs I have created and all the beautiful customer images I get sent. Her smile when she sees them, makes all the hard work worth it.