A Duchy businesswoman has taken the humble Cornish smock and given it a new twist that has seen orders coming from as far afield as Australia, France and Canada.
Liz Wilkin, from Lamorna, in West Cornwall, set up her Cornishwear business after digging out an old smock from the 1970s. Originally worn by fishermen in the 19th century, smocks were designed to be durable and practical thanks to their hard-wearing fabric and front pockets.
Cornwall's fishing fleet has declined considerably since the garment had its hey day, and typical wearers now tend to be painters and gardeners.
"Fishermen wearing smocks can be seen in early 19th and 20th century paintings by artists from the Newlyn School, and I can recall them being popular when I was growing up in the 1970s with my family and friends all wearing them," she said.
"It was what I call my 'light bulb' moment that spurred me on to bring this utility top to a bigger market by taking them out of the purely functional category and making them fun and attractive."
Mrs Wilkin asked a friend to cut a pattern for the smock and has made them more comfortable to wear by introducing different sizes – traditional smocks worked on a one size fits no one basis – and by making them in linen, a variety of cottons, including waxed, and fleece.
Mrs Wilkin cuts the smocks in her spare room at home, with two women in St Just sewing them together. The business has also added aprons and bags to its range.
Having exhibited at a number of events last year including the Badminton Horse Trials and the Royal Cornwall Show, Mrs Wilkin, a member of Cornwall Enterprising Women, plans to exhibit again this year.
She relaunched her website www.cornishwear.com two weeks ago in a bid to grow online sales and is exploring retail opportunities.
Formerly a solicitor, Mrs Wilkin gave up her previous career when she had her two children, now aged 12 and 14.
Having always wanted to start her own business, she decided to take the plunge 18 months ago – something Mrs Wilkin said had taken her "completely" out of her comfort zone. But, she said, it had been worth it: "I'm proud that I'm making a Cornish garment in West Cornwall – it couldn't be more Cornish."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN