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

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 rigour, 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.

You can find Alis on the web at  alislemay.com and on Instagram as @alis_le_may

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can  buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.