WALLIS

History

It all started in the early 1970s, my mother Doreen and father George managed to scrape together enough stock and cash to open a corner shop in Sheffield.

The corner shop thrived and they expanded and opened a much larger shop on Infirmary Road Sheffield.

As well as the shop they became market traders standing:

• Derby market

• Allenton

• Chesterfield

• Gainsborough

On a trip to Manchester looking for stock my father saw a roll of fabric, liking the design but not knowing what to do with it, he bought it.

This magical roll of fabric was to change everything.Manufactured in Leicester by Morna Fabrics the design was called 'CLEOPATRA'.

Knowing nothing about garment construction, but being practical, he constructed a 'A'line 6 panel skirt.

The skirts looked gorgeous, when offered for sale in the shop and on the markets,they flew out.

More fabric was sourced from Morna fabric, more colour ways and another design was added 'TAPESTRY'.

The skirts sold so well they opened a small manufacturing unit in a disused army barracks in Derby - Normanton Baracks.

Things went from strength to strength.

The shop was closed the markets ended and a wholesale and manufacturing business was born.

This is where I come in.

Disenchanted with sixth form school, I leave and ask dad for a job.

I had been working part time in the warehouse dealing with customers, so he gave me a van loaded with stock and sent me out as a road warrior to sell.

I sold all types of clothing from baby socks to knickers. Traveling the midlands and Yorkshire I created a round of loyal customers. If I wasn't on the road, I was learning garment manufacturing: Cutting; lock stitch; over lock; pressing.

I became a partner in the business.

The next phase started with the design and manufacture of pleated all-round skirts.

The pleater  David Tuckman 'TRUPERM' in Manchester, still in business, recommended us to Paul Williams at Arthur Henriques also in Manchester.

From this recommendation the work force was expanded to take on board Henriques and produce their garments on a CMT basis.

Pretty soon we were producing for:

• Slimma in Leek

• M&S Swirla in London

• Valantina London

• Marta Maratchi

I gave up the selling round to concentrate totally on garment manufacturing.The garments were for the high street and catalogue customers.

• Littlewoods

• Grattens

• Next

• Viyella

• Counrty Casuals

• Slimma

• Elvi

• George

• C & A

To name but a few.

We Moved to Pear Tree Street our own premises. As the years roll on George and Doreen decide to retire but carry on in a consultancy basis.