Christopher Nieper OBE is the managing director of David Nieper, a womenswear business in Alfreton in Derbyshire. The firm was set up by Christopher's parents sixty years ago and is now one of the most vertical textile operations in the UK. Christopher recently invested in state-of-the-art digital printing equipment so that the factory can print it's own fabric onsite. David Nieper already prints all their own catalogues and produce their own knitwear in house, alongside the garment production.
In this episode you can hear about the research Christopher commissioned from Nottingham university looking at the greenhouse gas emissions produced to make clothing at the David Nieper factory in Derbyshire. The study then compared these findings to the emissions produced by making garments in China, Turkey and Bangladesh and then shipping them to the UK. It makes for very interesting insights into how making in the UK can be quantified as more sustainable. A big advocate for slow fashion, Christopher has also found that his customers keep and wear his clothes 10 times longer than average. Listen to this episode to discover:
This episode is the recording of a talk that Christopher did at Make it British Live! Online event in October 2020.
About David Nieper
Watch my Instagram reel showing behind the scenes at the David Nieper factory.
David Nieper website
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Make it British website
145 – Revisited: James Eden, Private White V.C.
144 – Revisited: The Making of Make it British
143 – Kath Whitworth, Celtic & Co
142 – Julie Deane OBE, Cambridge Satchel Company
141 – How to darn socks…and other ways to have a more sustainable wardrobe – Emma Mathews, Socko
140 – Why UK manufacturing is more sustainable – Christopher Nieper OBE, David Nieper
139 – Launching a luxury British childrenswear brand – Rachael Attwood, Britannical
138 – You don’t have to be a b*tch to succeed in fashion with Elizabeth Stiles
137 – Sketch Pad to Shopping Bag – The Future of Fashion Fulfilment
136 – Working in retail as a textile designer – Davinder Madaher, Madaher
135 – How to grow a business in difficult times – Hedley Putnam, Putnams
134 – Should you move your manufacturing to the UK?
133 – The future of trade shows
132 – Can I label my product as ‘Made in the UK’?
131 – Launching a drinks brand made in the UK – Jack Scott, Dash Water
130 – Calculating cost per wear
BONUS: How do we future-proof the UK textile industry?
129 – Manufacturing on-demand in a micro knitwear factory – Samantha Brooke, Waring Brooke
128 – Why reshoring is more cost-effective – Rob Law MBE, Trunki
127 – Amy Fettis, AIM Athleisure – What is an MVP and why should you start with one?
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