Clothkits is an English clothing company, originally based in Lewes, East Sussex. Founded as a mail order business by Anne Kennedy in 1969 and sold in 1988, Clothkits at one stage employed 400 workers and had 7 shops.[1] The name continued to be used for a short time after the takeover of the company by Freemans, a larger mail order catalogue business, and was discontinued in 1991.[2]
Clothkits specialized in selling pre-printed kit clothing for children and adults, with colorful prints designed under the guidance of Janet Kennedy. The kit would comprise a pattern printed onto the fabric so that it could be cut out and assembled without needing to pin a paper pattern. The kits were also notable for containing all the materials needed to complete the garment.[3] The spare fabric around the pieces of the main pattern would often feature a doll sized pattern for the same garment.[citation needed] As well as the printed kits, they sold ready-made clothing and coordinating knitted items such as jumpers and tights.[4][5]
After a period of hibernation, the Clothkits brand was bought in 2007 by artist Kay Mawer and the company relaunched in early 2008. Clothkits continue to produce kit clothing, also available pre-assembled, inspired by the original concept.[6] Collaborations with contemporary artists and designers form the core of the business, and partnerships include with screen printer Jane Foster,[7] papercut artist Rob Ryan[1] and designers People Will Always Need Plates.[8] Such kits have seen renewed interest due to concerns about the sustainability of ready-to-wear fast fashion.[9]
