I was lucky enough to grow up in a neighbourhood filled with designers and makers. I grew up in Archway, North London in an area surrounded by clothing factories, while my mum worked as a sample machinist at home. By the age of 8 I was helping 'turn the loops' - which meant making rouleau straps for my pocket money. I would sit in my mum's workroom - which she still has set up today - surrounded by fabrics and using the off cuts to make outfits for my dolls.
My grandmother (Nene in Turkish) worked in a factory which was at the end of my road. Originally a bomb factory during WW2, the building was filled with pattern cutters, machinists, steamers and garment packers in the late 80s and 90s. I remember being able to visit my Nene and watch as the garments were being made. I imagine health and safety wasn't as strict as it is today!
The factory became The Bomb Factory Art Foundation in 2015 - an artist-led foundation and exhibition space. I love how it is still being used by makers and hasn't been lost to developers.
