A Ramsgate-based fashion designer whose career was inspired by his seamstress mum has launched a new clothing brand.
Matthew May creates womenswear and accessory designs from his home in Ramsgate, He currently has garments made at a factory in Stratford but hopes to be able to move that production to the isle.
The 54-year-old, who moved back to Thanet in 2023, was born in Margate and brought up in Broadstairs.
His mum Rosemary was a seamstress at the Martony factory in Margate. Martony clothing was started by Harry Anish after the war with 15 staff and by 1964 had expanded to a second site with 200 employees.
Matthew trained under Louise Wilson OBE, professor of fashion design at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London, before being invited to join the design team at Valentino, in Rome. Here, he was able to refine his understanding of pattern and shape, which shines through in his new range.
Matthew then continued his journey creating luxury womenswear with ESCADA in Munich, as well as Cerutti in Paris and Jaeger in London.
But now he has launched MAI clothing, designing pieces at the home he shares with his dog Mo and ensuring production is carried out in England.
Matthew said: “Launching the brand from my hometown is an incredibly proud moment for me. MAI clothing is a chance to do what I love in a very special place.
“I’ve created a line of dresses and accessories that are inspired by my surroundings and experiences and have character and vibrance.
“I hope to grow the business and eventually work even more with the exceptionally talented people in Thanet. This is just the beginning, and the future is looking bright.”
MAI has small runs creating uniqueness and exclusivity for each piece with high quality, hand worked fabrics allowing for comfort and durability.
By bringing the manufacturing stage to Thanet, Matthew hopes to reignite a rich history of garment production on the isle, tapping into the area’s booming creative talent.
Currently only available from MAIclothing.co.uk, Matthew is working on bringing elements of the contemporary collection to outlets in Thanet.
Matthew is also planning some pop up events in Ramsgate, Margate and London ahead of confirming permanent stockists.
Such good news, fashion coming back to thanet, and the only other woman I’ve heard of that worked at Martonys just like my mum, a seamstress there too.
Lovely blast from the past to hear the names Harry Anish and Martony get a name check . I remember when Harry Anish was mayor of Margate when that office had value / esteem in approx 1973 and rarely a week didn’t go by when he wasn’t in all the now defunct local papers that we had then like the East Kent Tines , Thanet Times and now there’s only just the gazette .
And I used to be Harry’s paperboy and delivered the London Evening Standard to him . Funny isn’t it how we remember these things . .lol
More fashion, more clothes, the charity shops are full with clothes people are trying to dispose of! Let’s recycle!
Yes I too remember the Martony factory.
I also worked at Martony and remember Harry Anish and his son Martin Anish. I also remember working with Matthew’s mum Rosemary at Sears factory which was situated in Ramsgate. There were several garment manufacturers in Thanet, sadly most were closed to move production abroad so it would be lovely to see garments being made once again in Thanet.
The white dress shown here currently retails for £455. Did Martony’s make such expensive clothes?