Internship Application Letter Tailor in United Kingdom Manchester – Free Word Template Download with AI

Tailor Trainee Position | Manchester, United Kingdom

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Manchester, M1 3AA
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
15th October 2023

Hiring Manager
Mercia Heritage Tailors
94 Oxford Street
Manchester, M1 3JG
United Kingdom

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing with profound enthusiasm to express my application for the Tailor Trainee Internship position at Mercia Heritage Tailors in Manchester, as advertised on the University of Manchester Careers Portal on 3rd October 2023. As a third-year Fashion Technology student at Manchester Metropolitan University with a deep-seated passion for British tailoring heritage, I am eager to contribute to your esteemed establishment’s legacy while developing my craft under expert mentorship within the heart of Greater Manchester’s creative district.

Manchester’s rich textile history – from the industrial revolution that shaped its skyline to contemporary fashion hubs like The Printworks and NOMAD studios – has profoundly influenced my professional trajectory. Having grown up in Salford, I’ve witnessed how this city transforms historical craftsmanship into modern luxury. My academic studies have immersed me in Manchester’s unique position: where 200+ years of tailoring tradition intersects with today’s sustainable fashion movement. I am particularly drawn to Mercia Heritage Tailors’ commitment to preserving bespoke techniques while innovating with eco-conscious materials – a philosophy that mirrors my own dedication to ethical craftsmanship as demonstrated through my university-led project, "Heritage Textiles Revival," which documented local mills now repurposed for artisanal tailoring.

My technical proficiency aligns precisely with the requirements outlined for this internship. I have mastered pattern drafting using both traditional slopers and industry-standard Gerber software, honed through my placement at Manchester Fashion Incubator where I assisted in creating 12 bespoke wedding gowns for clients from across Greater Manchester. My portfolio includes: (1) A hand-stitched Edwardian-inspired waistcoat replicating Victorian techniques using reclaimed silk from the city’s historic textile archives; (2) A sustainable denim collection featuring locally sourced, organic cotton; and (3) Digital pattern grading for a university collaboration with Northern Ballet. Crucially, I’ve developed an understanding of Manchester-specific fabric needs – from Yorkshire tweeds to the delicate fabrics favoured by our local luxury brands like Linton & Co.

What sets me apart is my contextual knowledge of Manchester’s tailoring ecosystem. While researching potential placements, I visited your Oxford Street workshop and observed how your team integrates historical preservation with contemporary demands – such as adapting traditional methods for digital pattern-making workflows. I was deeply impressed by your recent partnership with the Manchester Museum to restore Victorian-era tailoring tools, which directly resonates with my volunteer work cataloguing textiles at the People’s History Museum. This local engagement ensures I understand not just the technical demands of tailoring in Manchester, but also its cultural significance within our city’s identity.

My academic framework further prepares me for this role. My dissertation, "The Economic Viability of Bespoke Tailoring in Post-Industrial Cities: A Manchester Case Study," required extensive fieldwork across 15 local tailors – from high-street shops to award-winning studios. I documented how Manchester’s unique blend of affordable studio spaces (like those in the Castlefield area), skilled immigrant artisans, and growing demand for custom clothing creates an unparalleled environment for emerging tailors. This research revealed that 68% of Manchester’s bespoke clients seek tailors who understand regional fabric preferences – knowledge I’ve applied during my work at St. Ann’s Boutique where I assisted customers selecting fabrics suitable for our city’s variable climate.

I am equally committed to contributing beyond technical skills. As an active member of the Manchester Textile Heritage Group, I helped organise "Threads of Time," a community event celebrating local tailoring history that attracted 200+ attendees. This experience taught me how to communicate complex techniques accessibly – a skill vital when training new interns or explaining heritage methods to clients in Manchester’s diverse cultural landscape. Additionally, my fluency in French (acquired through an Erasmus exchange at Lille University of Science and Technology) enables me to engage with European textile suppliers critical to Mercia’s supply chain, supporting your efforts to source ethically produced materials from regions like Normandy.

Manchester’s tailoring scene is experiencing a renaissance, and I am eager to become part of it. Your commitment to training the next generation through this internship – rather than outsourcing skills – reflects the very ethos I admire. Having spoken with your current trainee, Aisha Khan, during her university guest lecture last month, I learned about Mercia’s structured progression path from trainee to senior tailor (a journey I intend to pursue diligently). My goal is not merely to learn techniques but to contribute fresh perspectives on how Manchester tailors can lead in sustainability – for instance, through repurposing fabric scraps into accessory collections as demonstrated in my university project with the Green Manchester Initiative.

I am prepared to commit fully to this internship, including the required 10-hour weekly studio sessions alongside academic commitments. My location in Ancoats (a mere 15-minute walk from your Oxford Street workshop) ensures I can readily participate in all scheduled activities. I have attached my portfolio showcasing Manchester-specific projects and references from my university tutor, Professor Elaine Thorne, who oversees our Fashion Heritage module.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to discuss how my technical skills, local knowledge of Manchester’s tailoring landscape, and dedication to preserving British craftsmanship can benefit Mercia Heritage Tailors. I will contact your office next week to arrange an interview at your convenience and look forward to the possibility of contributing to Manchester’s proud tailoring tradition.

Yours sincerely,

Alexandra Chen

BA (Hons) Fashion Technology Student
Manchester Metropolitan University

Portfolio Note: Digital portfolio accessible at www.mmu.ac.uk/chens-tailoring-manchester (featuring Manchester-specific projects)

Attachments: Academic Transcript, References, Portfolio

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