King’s Foundation textiles graduate launches lingerie lessons aimed at breast cancer survivors
A graduate-turned-tutor at the headquarters of His Majesty The King’s charity in Ayrshire has been inspired by the charity’s ethos of sustainability and is now using her skills to teach women who have survived breast cancer how to create and adapt their own bras.
Merie Philips, 53, used to design underwear for leading lingerie brands and recently launched a luxury lingerie business, Melons and Lemons, after graduating from The King’s Foundation’s esteemed Modern Artisan Programme.
After being inspired by a friend who survived breast cancer, Merie has incorporated into her business model, which are believed to be the first programmes of their kind in Scotland. The courses will teach women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds how to make their own bespoke garments, from scratch, in one-to-one tutorials.
“I know someone who had a breast removed and she had a special bra. I can bring that into the teaching process because it is personal and that’s where the one-to-one classes are great. Women can relax and learn privately. All women can focus on their personal needs and learn a new skill, which will hopefully give them more confidence.”
Merie Philips, The King’s Foundation Modern Artisan Programme Alumna
Merie’s private courses at her studio in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, promote self-care and aim to put women at ease. Having come through The King’s Foundation’s Modern Artisan course herself and subsequently securing a job as a tutor at Dumfries House, Merie continues to hone the skills she developed.
“I wanted to get back into the business, but I wanted to be sustainable, so I retrained to give myself fresh knowledge. I did a Higher National Diploma in technical pattern-cutting, then The King’s Foundation’s Modern Artisan Programme, which was all about sustainability and luxury and small batch production.”
Merie Philips, The King’s Foundation Modern Artisan Programme Alumna
Merie now teaches on The King’s Foundation’s Future Textiles programme, which is designed to address a skills gap within the UK textile industry and encourage new entrants with relevant vocational skills. It was while working as a part-time tutor at Dumfries House that Merie was asked by a student to show her how to make underwear, which inspired her new business.
Future Textiles is targeted at secondary school pupils alongside community groups and adults wishing to enter the industry, with a focus on sustainable practices promotes awareness and understanding of how the next generation can have a positive impact within a vast range of careers in fashion and textiles.
After having a family, Merie returned to her love of making and combined it with the sustainability model showcased by The King’s Foundation’s programmes.