London's fashion industry had long produced luxurious hand-made clothing for women of the leisured classes. However, by the end of the 19th century the West End was suffering a shortage of skilled employees and trade was being lost to Paris. The response to this challenge was the founding in 1906 of women's trade schools, with a needle-trade curriculum devised in close co-operation with leading dressmakers and the exclusive London stores. The London College of Fashion had its origin in three of those schools, in Barrett Street, Shoreditch and Clapham.
- ISBN10 1860770665
- ISBN13 9781860770661
- Publish Date 1 October 1997
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 4 March 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher The History Press Ltd
- Imprint Phillimore & Co Ltd
- Format Paperback
- Pages 128
- Language English
- URL http://thehistorypress.co.uk/products/Couture-or-Trade.aspx