Emily Nolan, founder of made-to measure women’s suiting label E Nolan, is determined to set a new standard of tailoring for women and LGBTQIA+ folk.

Challenging traditional tailoring

Emily always knew she wanted to start her own clothing business and make a name for herself in the world of fashion. After learning to sew at a mere six years of age (she was taught by her grandmothers), she achieved early industry success, receiving a scholarship to attend Whitehouse Institute of Design, and winning their 2016 Designer of the Year.

The foundations of E Nolan were realised when Emily began working for a large tailor with a male-only client base. There, she discovered there was no clear route to a career in women’s tailoring – despite mainstream fashion showing a growing interest in women’s suiting.

She founded E Nolan in 2018. Originally a one-woman show operating from a backyard shipping container, the Melbourne-based label has since grown to a team of five based in a multi-storey converted Fitzroy warehouse loft known as The Dressing Room.

Through classic designs and timeless cuts, Emily prides herself on fashioning garments that can be adapted to fit any wardrobe or lifestyle. Her clothing evokes the same minimalistic design principles as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan – a beautifully appointed vehicle defined by its clean lines, gently sculpted surfaces and modern, sophisticated edge.

Thoughtfully made

All E Nolan fittings, pattern making, and alterations are completed at The Dressing Room, with partial garment construction undertaken in Suzhou, China. “About 65 per cent of the initial construction is completed in Suzhou, then the garment is sent back to us. From there, five to six hours more work is completed in our workroom, before the client comes in for the second fitting,” explains Emily.

Outsourcing the initial step of the manufacturing process has allowed Emily more time to focus on the part of her job she loves the most – meeting with clients. Customers can be assured they’ll meet with Emily at every fitting, ensuring a continuity in the quality service and human connection she provides.

“It's really important to me that I don't hire other tailors, it would remove me from the best market research I have direct access to,” she says.

Clients can choose from a wide variety of stock cloths (E Nolan’s most popular fabrics, purchased directly from mills at a yield of 90-120 metres), or cut-length cloths at a premium. The latter are cut to the exact amount required for each client, and are at a higher price point as they incur a cutting fee from the mill and an individual freight price.

“I have access to over 600 fabrics from the world’s best mills in Italy, the UK, Japan and Germany. We work with natural fibres of wool, cotton, linen, tweed, boucle and velvet – all designed to enhance comfort,” Emily says.

Extensive comfort is an intuitive part of the C-Class, too. From the lavish upholstery to the ambient lighting, the vehicle provides a comfortable driving and passenger experience from the moment you climb inside.

Discover the C-Class and book an online consultation in the Digital Showroom today.

By Amelia Barnes