If the ultimate sustainable fashion choice is simply to look after the items you already have in your wardrobe, then having a list of reliable clothing repair services at your fingertips is essential. Luckily, London is filled with them, with talented sewers and upcyclers on hand to breathe new life into your favourite garments. Whether you need to fix a tear, re-heel a shoe or spruce up a much-loved designer handbag, these are the alteration specialists and restoration services to have on your radar.
Clothing Repair Services in London
Sojo
Dubbed as the ‘Deliveroo of clothing repair services’, this app-based platform makes it easier than ever to get your favourite pieces fixed at the tap of a button. Founded by 25-year-old Josephine Philips in 2021, Sojo swiftly became a hit with eco-savvy millennials, who loved the simple interface which allowed them to type in their post code and immediately be connected with skilled seamstresses in their area. Since launching they’ve already partnered with some of the fashion world’s buzziest brands and labels, including Ganni and Stine Goya, who teamed up with them to offer free alterations for their pieces, and Selfridges, who welcomed them into their Stock Exchange pop-up this summer to offer while-you-wait alterations.
Make Nu
Founded by stylist Daisy Marlow and fashion buyer Laura Johnson in 2020, Make Nu specialises in turning clothing repair into something fun, adding embroidered patches in the shape of stars, hearts and mushrooms to turn unwanted holes and threadbare spots into key features in their own right. Their unique approach transforms well-loved garments into totally new pieces, using visible stitching and mending techniques to make spiders crawl up a jacket sleeve or sunflowers bloom across a pair of trousers. Their eye-catching approach has already garnered them a legion of fashionable fans, including Miquita Oliver and Net-a-Porter’s head of global styling, Harriet Haskell-Thomas.
Handbag Clinic
A designer handbag is likely to be one of the pricier wardrobe staples you’ll invest in, and as such you want to make sure it stays in tip-top condition for as long as possible. Enter the Handbag Clinic, widely regarded as the UK’s leading handbag repair and restoration service. With a flagship boutique on the King’s Road, a recently opened concession in Harrods and outposts in Newcastle, Leeds and the Middle East, it’s become the go-to for those looking to revive beloved Birkins, quilted Chanels and Fendi Baguettes. As well as making old items look good as new with clever paintwork, stitching and hardware, they’ll also accept your unwanted clutches and totes to sell on as part of their pre-loved service.
Jeeves of Belgravia
Every fashion-loving Londoner knows about Jeeves of Belgravia, which is a stalwart of the clothing repair scene – even the Queen was a fan, with the business having proudly held a Royal Warrant since 1980. Like its P.G. Wodehouse namesake, the veteran brand aims for a discreet and attentive service with a 21st-century upgrade courtesy of its eco-friendly laundering techniques. Meticulous fabric care is the hallmark here, with complimentary collection and delivery offered to London and Home County customers, who can avail themselves of everything from handbag restoration and painstaking repairs to specialist couture cleaning.
Classic Shoe Repairs
Frequently hailed as the best cobbler in the capital, this Camden establishment handles repairs for the designer shoe departments at Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Harrods, to name just a few. An expert eye is applied to the most exacting of details, from toe piece replacement to re-heeling and bespoke re-crafting. But it’s not just shoes that get the royal treatment here; you can also get your wallet re-waxed, or the piping on your designer handbag reworked. With its arsenal of expert techniques, it’s little wonder Classic Shoe Repairs has built up a cult following among the fashion set, making it the only place most editors will bring their Jimmy Choos and Louboutins.
The Seam
Entrepreneur Layla Sargent founded The Seam in 2019 as a London-based platform to connect specialist makers with customers nationwide. All you have to do is sign up to the app and explain what kind of alterations or clothing repairs you’re looking for, and you’ll be connected with makers in your local area, from design graduates and top costume designers to very skilled grandmothers. Specialising in delicate vintage pieces and offering everything from handbag repair and shoe restoration to sneaker cleaning and embroidery, they recently launched as Net-a-Porter’s official care and repair partner and count Lucy Williams and Jenna Coleman among their fans.
