This week on Garmology, we’re off to the wild west coast of Ireland — to the home of Donegal tweed. Sixth-generation weaver Kieran Molloy joins us from Ardara, County Donegal, to talk about family legacy, the craft of weaving, and what it takes to keep a centuries-old tradition alive in the modern world. From looms beside the family home to a 1920s showroom on Fifth Avenue, the Molloy story is one of resilience, artistry, and an enduring love for colour and texture. We talk about the history and future of Donegal tweed, the fight to protect its name (like Champagne or Parma ham!), the challenges of staying natural in a synthetic world, and what it’s really like to run a small mill on the edge of the Atlantic — exporting to Japan, New York, and beyond. It’s a warm, funny, and deeply fascinating conversation about craft, identity, and why some fabrics carry the soul of a place. 🎧 Garmology – a podcast about clothes, and the deeper stories behind them.

This week on Garmology, we’re rethinking everything we thought we knew about shoes. From Nike internships and bespoke sneakers in L.A. to orthopedic labs in Canada, shoemaker Andrew Turriff has walked a long, winding path to creating Turiff Functional Footwear — a brand built on one radical idea: that shoes should actually work for your feet. We talk about his journey from art school to Fluevog to founding his own label, his discovery that most footwear ignores how the human foot actually moves, and how he set out to make rugged, repairable shoes that let you live, move, and feel better. This episode covers everything from the craft of shoemaking to barefoot philosophy, sustainability, and why “growth for growth’s sake” might be fashion’s biggest flaw. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about slowing down, making things well, and walking your own path — one pair of truly functional shoes at a time. 🎧 Garmology — a podcast about clothes, and the deeper stories behind them.

This week on Garmology, we’re going on an adventure — without leaving the wardrobe. TV adventurer, explorer, and all-round outdoorsman Ben Fogle joins Nick for a deep dive into his love of outerwear, heritage design, and the gear that’s travelled with him from Antarctica to Everest. From waxed Barbours and wool Guernseys to modern technical kit, Ben shares what really works when the temperature drops (and why some of the best expedition gear still smells like it’s been somewhere wild). We talk about his “accidental” journey into adventure, how he ended up buying the legendary Buffalo Systems, the future of British-made outdoor wear, and why timeless design still beats fast fashion — even at -40°C. A funny, warm, and surprisingly geeky two-hour chat about jackets, journeys, and joy in the details.

This week, we step inside the heart of British shoemaking. Our journey takes us to Northamptonshire, where craftsmanship and tradition run deep. Chris Woodford—6th-generation shoemaker and the man behind Crown Northampton and E. Woodford—opens the doors of his family’s factory to share stories of heritage, innovation, and the enduring art of making shoes. We chat about what it means to carry on a legacy while steering a modern business, the surprising freedom that comes when every worker has their own key, and the obsessive pursuit of making products as good as they can possibly be—using the finest leathers sourced from around the world. And yes, we dive into the wonderfully mad idea of crafting whole-cut welted sneakers that take 50 hours to make… and why people can’t get enough of them. This is a rich, two-hour conversation about passion, precision, and the quiet joy of making things that last.

Repost: This week I'm heading back to Scotland for a chat with Clare Campbell of Prickly Thistle, a self-proclaimed rebel mill outside Inverness. From a background as a chartered accountant, Clare took a u-turn, or maybe a swerve, when she discovered a passion for the traditional tartan and from there decided to establish a mill, using ancient looms, with no clue at all about how to use them. We get into what it means to run an ethical and transparent business, getting off social media, going zero waste, what B Corp status means and how being a rebel can mean doing this the opposite way of established business practices.

Repost: A slight diversion guest-wise today, as it's my sister Emma, a psychologist, that picks up the phone for a fly-on-the-wall style chat about topics within the Garmology sphere. We talk about the psychology of social media, why retail therapy has become a thing, peak hipster, why women get poorer clothes, the issues and pitfalls of ordering online, where the real deals can be done, our mums' taste is outed and much more. Unusually, I get to talk more in this episode!

REPOST: In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Denham, the visionary behind Merchant & Mills, a renowned supplier of patterns and fabrics for home sewers. Delving into Carolyn's rich background, we uncover her formative years as a passionate sewer in rural Yorkshire and the transformative impact of her fashion studies. Against the odds, Carolyn shares the pivotal moment that spurred her to establish Merchant & Mills, despite scepticism from those around her. From the iconic shop in Rye, celebrated by sewing enthusiasts worldwide, to the therapeutic power of sewing, we explore the intricacies of fabric sourcing and Carolyn's identity as a maker above all else. Join us as we also discuss the launch of new sewing retreats, offering a sanctuary for creative exploration.

Back by popular demand, Jon and Shaun join me once again for a meandering (but mighty enjoyable) chat covering all sorts — from smelly clothes and style dilemmas to menswear books, garment care, and even buying secondhand from celebs. Listener questions lead the way, and while solid answers are... a maybe, the banter is guaranteed. Settle in — it’s a good one.

This week, we’re stepping into a cosy workshop in Cheltenham to chat with Adele Williamson, bespoke shoemaker at the legendary Tricker’s of Northampton. We explore how Adele found her way into shoemaking, the rich heritage of Tricker’s, and what makes a bespoke shoe truly special. From the surprising number of machines involved to the passionate customers who appreciate the craft — it’s a fascinating look into a proud British tradition. As always, links are in the show notes — and if you’ve got guest suggestions, I’d love to hear from you: welldresseddad@gmail.com.

This week, we’re heading to Sheffield in the heart of Northern England for a delightful conversation with Wendy Ward. Wendy’s journey has taken her through roles as a fashion designer, author, teacher, PHD-student and activist. You might have spotted her recently in The Guardian, where she talked about her inspiring #TakeItBack campaign — we dive into that and much more. From daily stitching rituals to reflections on how our clothes make us feel, this episode is both thoughtful and joy-filled, with exploration of personal style, sustainability, and yes — a bit of giggling about dungarees. So, grab a cuppa and settle in for a chat full of heart, insight, and warm Yorkshire charm. Links in the show notes!

In this week's episode, we head to Denmark for a chat with Liam Maher, something of an industry veteran with a CV that includes Timberland, Burton snowboards, Visvim, Denham the jeanmaker and Ecco shoes, among others. However, we're going to focus more on his recent book, "Menswhere - A Lost History of The Militant Guild of Rural Tailors". If that makes you curious, all will be revealed.

In this episode, we head to Belfast to sit down with Michael and Paul, the duo behind The Bureau — a menswear store with legendary status. Founded in 1989, The Bureau began as a bold vision from two young guys who saw space for something different. Decades later, they've built a reputation for championing quality, heritage, and timeless style, while always keeping things fresh. We dive into an honest conversation about life in retail, the evolution of the shop, navigating tough times, and the iconic Bureau man.

Garmology is back! Today I'm visited by Max Leonard and Henry Iddon, creators of the book "Mountain Style - British Outdoor Clothing 1953-2000". We have a good old natter about the great British outdoors, expeditions of yore, how creativity led to development, new fabrics for new times and much much more.

Please note: This is the audio part of a video that I have uploaded to YouTube. You can search for "Garmology: A visit to Nigel Cabourn's studio in Newcastle" (or use the link in the show notes, or go to WellDressedDad.com to find it). Nigel Cabourn is a British menswear designer with over 50 years in the business. He has had a continuous personal brand, initially as Crickett, later under his own name, and is known for his many and varied collaborations. In 2023 Nigel Cabourn was a guest on the Garmology podcast (episode #122), as a continuation of our contact I was invited to visit Nigel in his studio in Newcastle in April 2024. For me, it was a chance to learn more about the inspirations and working methods behind legendary collections such as "The Ascent of Cabourn" and "Scott's Last Expedition", and naturally to learn more about what is in the pipeline.

Embark on a journey of unexpected turns and intriguing transformations as we sit down with today's guest, Kenneth McClure, the sole operator of Noble & Wylie, a maker of handmade shoes based in Sheffield. Kenneth's story is a testament to the twists and turns of fate, starting from a desire to create, studying fashion, and exploring various avenues before stumbling upon the captivating world of small-scale shoe-making. Join us as we unravel the fascinating narrative that bridges the gap between these two distinct points in Kenneth's journey. Tune in for a captivating conversation filled with surprising anecdotes and enlightening insights.

Join us on our journey to uncover hidden gems in the world of small-scale creators as we venture to Glasgow for an enlightening conversation with Gillian McNeill of LAW Design Studio. Gillian shares her journey from a budding creative spirit to establishing her own independent venture. We delve into her passion for design, her following the conventional path in fashion studies, and the pivotal moments that led her to forge her own path in the industry. Central to our discussion are the timeless qualities of design and the secret sauce that keeps customers returning for more. Tune in as we unravel the story behind LAW Design Studio and explore the essence of enduring style and customer loyalty.

This week's guest is David Courtney of Courtney & Co, arguably the last of the traditional button makers in the UK. I was keen to invite David for a chat about how he happened into what is a rather unusual business, requiring as it does both a plethora of machinery and some rather special source materials. Not to mention the skills and knowledge to make buttons actually happen! A challenge indeed, not least when customs officers get in touch to ask about the box of white stuff that's arrived from South America...

In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Denham, the visionary behind Merchant & Mills, a renowned supplier of patterns and fabrics for home sewers. Delving into Carolyn's rich background, we uncover her formative years as a passionate sewer in rural Yorkshire and the transformative impact of her fashion studies. Against the odds, Carolyn shares the pivotal moment that spurred her to establish Merchant & Mills, despite scepticism from those around her. From the iconic shop in Rye, celebrated by sewing enthusiasts worldwide, to the therapeutic power of sewing, we explore the intricacies of fabric sourcing and Carolyn's identity as a maker above all else. Join us as we also discuss the launch of new sewing retreats, offering a sanctuary for creative exploration.

In this episode, we journey to Sunderland for an insightful conversation with Simon McAleese. Join us as Simon shares his journey from creating illustrations to honing an eye for sartorial intricacies. We delve into how his passion for menswear sparked the dream of launching his own brand, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Simon candidly discusses the challenges of balancing sustainability with brand ambitions and the nitty-gritty details of production. Plus, we explore the common struggle of grappling with impostor syndrome and questioning the path taken. Tune in as Simon unveils the raw realities behind the dream of building a fashion brand.

Get ready to dive into the dynamic world of UK manufacturing as we jet back to the UK for a lively chat with Kate Hills. Kate takes us on a whirlwind journey through her fascinating career path, from pioneering circular fashion fresh out of college to designing quirky kids' clothing. We'll follow her adventures to Italy, where she crafted designs for Levi's while indulging in pizza, and then to the bustling halls of Burberry before navigating the twists and turns of the High Street fashion scene. Hold onto your seats as we explore Kate's resilient pivot into her current venture, championing brands and makers committed to the UK manufacturing landscape.