Made in England

I set up Justine Tabak because I wanted to show that a fashion business could operate both ethically and sustainably. In my eyes, fashion should be joyful and life enhancing, it is a celebration of beauty and creativity and a way each of us can express our individuality without causing harm to the world around us.

However, in my early career, I worked for many years in fast fashion and became only too aware that there is a dark side to this industry. Newspaper reports tell us again and again that fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world, producing mountains of waste and poisonous chemicals. And it’s not just the environmental cost that concerns me, the human cost is huge too; global brands use cheap labour to manufacture these mountains of unwanted, discarded and cheap clothes; it is a vicious circle resulting in a devastating race to the bottom.

Justine Tabak was established in 2018 with the aim of doing things differently. We became part of the ‘slow fashion’ movement, focusing our efforts into manufacturing small batches of beautifully crafted clothes right here in the heart of London. As far as possible, I source fabrics from the British Isles; when that’s not possible, I revive deadstock material that would otherwise have gone to waste.

We also design with longevity in mind. Our styles are simple, charming, practical and pretty with a touch of romance thrown in. We hope you find our styles ‘keepers’, the dresses in your wardrobe that you pull out time and again for years to come.

Short Sleeve Empire Line Striped Linen Dress | Made in England | Justine Tabak

Local Manufacturing

Once the heart of Britain’s economy, textile and clothing manufacturing defined the Victorian era and powered the Industrial Revolution. By the mid-twentieth century, however, the industry had nearly disappeared.

Today, there’s a growing revival—and I’m proud to be part of it. I choose to manufacture all my clothes in the UK because I believe in the exceptional quality of our craftsmanship. Local production helps preserve traditional skills while creating new opportunities for training and jobs.

It also makes practical sense. Why ship fabrics and garments around the world, wasting time, energy, and money—not to mention the environmental impact? Producing locally means beautiful clothes with a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable future.

Batch Production

We produce our dresses in small batches after designing, finalizing patterns, and selecting fabrics. This method allows us to carefully manage both quality and quantity. Cutting fabric in controlled amounts minimizes waste and helps us avoid flaws—especially important when working with deadstock fabrics. Faulty fabric can lead to rejected garments, wasting both materials and skilled labor.

Small-batch production also keeps us flexible. We avoid large inventories, allowing us to respond quickly to demand and reduce excess stock. If an item is out of stock, it’s always worth getting in touch—we often produce more and can add your name to a waiting list. This thoughtful approach supports sustainable practices while ensuring each garment is crafted with care and attention to detail.