An Acre of Land
An Acre of Land invites you to step into a wardrobe of clothing that has been designed to embrace shape, embolden movement & celebrate individuality.
Our clothing refuses to be defined by fashion or trends. The designs pay close attention to comfort, silhouette and how each garment "sits & swishes' with another.
The core designs will remain constant but the collections will evolve organically throughout the seasons encompassing fabrics in differing textures, weights and colour palettes. Our garments can be worn all year round, they are designed to be layered and adorned with beautiful knitwear and carefully chosen accessories. They are created with thought and care to complement each other so that over many seasons you can grow a collection within your wardrobe that is personal to you.
We stand amongst friends, rooted in the earth and our history. Our hearts and our feet are planted gently, with purpose in An Acre of Land,
We hope you enjoy what we have created for you.
Julia Joplin
Designer & Maker
AN ACRE OF LAND
My father left me an acre of land
Sing ivy, sing ivy
My father left me an acre of land
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
I plowed it with a rams horn
Sing ivy, sing ivy
And sowed it all over with one peppercorn
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing ivy
I harrowed it next with a team of rats
Sing ivy, sing ivy
And reaped it all with my little tooth comb
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
I sent it home in a walnut shell
Sing ivy, sing ivy
And thrashed it with a goose's quill
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing holly, go whistle and ivy
Sing ivy
The meaning of this song is open to interpretation. Perhaps it is about what can be achieved in a day, a month, a lifetime... in seemingly impossible circumstances. For me it represents the power of self belief and the importance of never giving up. It captures the magic and mystery of our ongoing connection with the land and the earth. X
I began designing garments for myself in 2016, frustrated at not being able to find the garments I wanted to wear in my size or the fabrics I love.
I'm a self-taught dress maker, helped by friends who are both home sewest and experts in their field. I made one garment at a time, seam by seam, at first for myself and later for people who asked. This was something I loved I do, but demand soon made it unsustainable for my family and I.
An established fashion designer introduced me to a small production team in India. I now work alongside this team on the production of my designs and have so much respect for their expertise and craftsmanship. It has enabled An Acre of Land to expand from my own wardrobe to yours.
An Acre of Land is not about thoughtless consumption or mass production and we have no desire to follow the established schedule of the fashion world.
The design process begins in my studio in York. I am inspired by stories, songs and garments from the past. I am influenced by the clothes worn by hopeful pioneers and the workers in fields, mills and barbers.
Our toiles, patterns and textiles are taken to India, the fabrics and embellishments are careful chosen and the designs are sampled until the garments are ready to be produced in small batches. Time is spent with friends and colleagues outside of work. We meet other artisans to collaborate with. We embrace the journeys, the places, the processes and soak it all in.
Our cloth fibres are grown and woven in India. We use only natural fibres; cottons, linens, and hand-milled silks and 100% wools. The threads used to stitch our pieces together are 100% cotton and our buttons are sourced from the last remaining traditional button factory in the UK, made of Codelite, from 96% dairy milk.
Our garments are designed and made to withstand the test of time. Changes are inevitable, our tastes change, as do our bodies, so if a garment is 'invited to leave' your wardrobe, we hope you will donate it to a friend or charity or perhaps even ‘re-imagine' it with your own scissors and thread.
We reuse, donate and recycle. We compost our waste and every ounce of our garments and packaging is plastic-free and biodegradable.
All members of our design & making process are treated with respect and competitively paid; most of our team in India have worked together for well over 10 years.
We are meticulous. We strive to improve in everything we do -and take nothing for granted. We desire that everything in our approach to designing & making ‘be good’.
