CLOTHES TO CHERISH

Meet the woman turning treasured heirloom clothing into gorgeous garments for the little people in your life

- Lauren Allen

It was a lightbulb moment for Marple’s Sarah Parish. The former primary school and head teacher was looking for a new career. And when plans for a children’s day nursery didn’t work out, a friend suggested she might want to do things a little differently. “I thought about going back to teaching, but my friend Louise Latham, who is a children’s clothing agent for Spanish designer wear, suggested an online children’s clothing store,” says Sarah. “I didn’t have a clue about the impacts of textile waste.

“As I started researching, I came across the issues with fast fashion and the detrimental effect it is having on the environment. I hadn’t realised how huge it is.

“I thought maybe the angle I should be taking is a move to support this mission to stop textile waste.”

The recycled – or rather, upcycled notion – is at the heart of Sarah’s company, Cherished Pieces. Because wouldn’t it be special – and kinder to the environment – if we could turn our own, pre-loved and cherished garments into a dress for our little girl or a romper for our baby boy?

Or how about buying one-of-a-kind children’s clothing straight off the shelf, made from hidden charity shop gems or gorgeous vintage fabrics?