A SUCCESSFUL York bag retailer has launched The York Waistcoat Company with hopes of eventually employing up to 50 traditional dressmakers.

Sharon Winfield, who runs Bolsita Bags on Micklegate, has already taken on three home workers in York to help her prepare for her new venture’s first autumn/winter collection at one of the biggest UK fashion trade shows next month at Pure Spirit, Earls Court, London (August 7 to 9).

Her new wholesale business offers a range of handmade, individually designed, quirky waistcoats aimed at the specialist fashion boutique market.

Should the orders come pouring in, she is preparing to take on an increasing number of home workers to han craft the one-off waistcoats in a bid to revitalise a declining art.

The new collection, designed by Sharon, will offer high-quality waistcoats for men and women, using a mix of fabrics from tweed to linen and silk with vintage detail and reclaimed touches.

Sharon started making handmade bags in her spare room for friends before realising her dream of opening her own shop in York.

She realised there was a market for a separate wholesaling business after seeing customer satisfaction and the sales success of her own handmade waistcoats, and founded The York Waistcoat Company.

Her aim is to build a brand without mass production and overseas factories, by developing a network of up to 50 independent women home workers with traditional sewing skills.

She said: “I want to revitalise a skilled trade which has seen decline, mainly due to increases in imports, offshore assembly and productivity gains from automation.

“It’s a passion and ambition of mine to create jobs for women who have had traditional dressmaking skills passed down through generations, and who take great pride in their talent to produce a garment that has been lovingly and individually made by hand.”