FIVE MINUTES WITH A FRIEND: SCOBEL CLOTHING
The name Scobel is inherited from Jackie Parsons' great grandmother who had a drapers shop in south Devon. Jackie explains that, "I have always made clothes, first for my dolls, myself and then for theatre and television. I am often asked where I get my clothes and so here I have created a place where you too can obtain these tried and tested pieces which have evolved to serve an active life and a romantic heart."
Scobel Clothing collection. © @nemography_by_nemoroberts
A pared to the bone aesthetic, made from practical traditional fabrics sourced surplus to the trade or from sustainable mills.
All items are hand made in Jackie Parsons' London studio where particular attention has been made to drape and finish often using traditional techniques such as french seams and bias.
Jackie also offers alterations and and customisation of existing garments from The Scobel Clothing range and a repair service to other garments.
As part of our Five Minutes with a Friend series, we asked Jackie Parsons' to tell us more about her relationship and stories of textiles. 
Image: portrait of Jackie Parsons of Scobel Clothing.
Something old
A blanket knitted by great Grannie she was French Hugenot with that pared back aesthetic. She knitted this blanket for my grand father when a baby, it is an uncomplicated blend of bold and subtle, this blanket is still in use today.
Something new
A dress I made from Japanese cotton/linen which washes to a beautiful crumple, a rare quality found in modern textiles; source: The Cloth House.
Image: something old, Jackie Parsons.
Something borrowed:
Dungarees worn in by Grannie in her garden, the fabric is very fragile so they hang in my stdio like a work of Art. to the left an appliqué pillow case by Lisa Vaughan Thomas using her husbands old shirts, to the right a punchinello hat in giant gingham a remnant of fabric made for a local independent clothing brand and a patchwork of mid century domestic textiles rescued from a bin.
Image: something borrowed, Jackie Parsons.
Something blue:
Grannies kitchen curtains which where a toile de joy by the British artist, David Gentleman but unlike the Marie Antoinette peasant these peasants where taken from his sketchbook when traveling through Spain in the mid 20th century so probably quite poor.
Image: something blue, Jackie Parsons.
What is your first memory of a textile?
A blanket knitted by great grannie she was French Hugenot with that pared back aesthetic, she knitted this blanket for my grand father, it is an uncomplicated blend of bold subtly, this blanket is still in use today.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
The haptic quality textiles can access memories, history and emotions conscious and unconscious.
If you make textiles, where is your most inspiring space/place to create?
My studio gives me the space to explore ideas from a parallel universe within my imagination. Making clothes, wearing them and seeing others wear them brings me closer to that place.
What has inspires you recently? This could be a book, film or an exhibition you have seen or an artist/designer you admire.
Old Dutch Masters, work wear and historic costume the designs that endure and translate across culture, time and space.
What is your most cherished textile, and why?
Grannies kitchen curtains a toile de joi, unlike the Marie Antoinet style of peasant, this toile depicts peasants toiling in the fields from the sketch book of David Gentleman when in Spain mid 20th century where poverty was real.
Where did you learn your craft?
Making clothes was an intrinsic part of the household growing up, the sewing machine was more significant than a TV
When and why did you open your store?
it has always been in the back of my mind so as soon as I obtained enough space.
Apart from Selvedge, where else do you sell?
Small independent events and shops run by like minded individuals.
Can you tell us a bit about your neighbourhood/community? Why is it so special?
like minded individuals who enjoy sharing their ideas and passion with the world along with a certain integrity and quality.
What has inspired you recently? This could be a book, film or an exhibition you have seen
Magdalena Abakanowicz at Tate Modern, her raw organic tapestries evoke a feeling of deep forest that envelopes you as you walk among them. I felt I wanted to move in and live there.
Image: Magdalena Abakanowicz at Tate Modern.
An artist/designer you admire.
Manon Gignoux and her reworked clothing.
Can you tell us something about one of your loyal customers?
Cecilia Mira is an antique dealer from South Korea, she sends British antiquities to Korean anglophiles, when I pop up in east London she makes a point of coming to see me. She wears some of my favourite items on a regular basis. Cecilia Mira Yang (she is also the photographer although the postcard is by Richard Arkaby who spotted Cecilia in Spitalfields Market and took the shot which he allowed me to use for this card).
Answers and images courtesy of Jackie Parsons, Scobel Sclothing
Image: something old, Jackie Parsons.
Something borrowed:
Dungarees worn in by Grannie in her garden, the fabric is very fragile so they hang in my stdio like a work of Art. to the left an appliqué pillow case by Lisa Vaughan Thomas using her husbands old shirts, to the right a punchinello hat in giant gingham a remnant of fabric made for a local independent clothing brand and a patchwork of mid century domestic textiles rescued from a bin.
Image: something borrowed, Jackie Parsons.
Something blue:
Grannies kitchen curtains which where a toile de joy by the British artist, David Gentleman but unlike the Marie Antoinette peasant these peasants where taken from his sketchbook when traveling through Spain in the mid 20th century so probably quite poor.
Image: something blue, Jackie Parsons.
What is your first memory of a textile?
A blanket knitted by great grannie she was French Hugenot with that pared back aesthetic, she knitted this blanket for my grand father, it is an uncomplicated blend of bold subtly, this blanket is still in use today.
Can you put into words what you love about textiles?
The haptic quality textiles can access memories, history and emotions conscious and unconscious.
If you make textiles, where is your most inspiring space/place to create?
My studio gives me the space to explore ideas from a parallel universe within my imagination. Making clothes, wearing them and seeing others wear them brings me closer to that place.
What has inspires you recently? This could be a book, film or an exhibition you have seen or an artist/designer you admire.
Old Dutch Masters, work wear and historic costume the designs that endure and translate across culture, time and space.
What is your most cherished textile, and why?
Grannies kitchen curtains a toile de joi, unlike the Marie Antoinet style of peasant, this toile depicts peasants toiling in the fields from the sketch book of David Gentleman when in Spain mid 20th century where poverty was real.
Where did you learn your craft?
Making clothes was an intrinsic part of the household growing up, the sewing machine was more significant than a TV
When and why did you open your store?
it has always been in the back of my mind so as soon as I obtained enough space.
Apart from Selvedge, where else do you sell?
Small independent events and shops run by like minded individuals.
Can you tell us a bit about your neighbourhood/community? Why is it so special?
like minded individuals who enjoy sharing their ideas and passion with the world along with a certain integrity and quality.
What has inspired you recently? This could be a book, film or an exhibition you have seen
Magdalena Abakanowicz at Tate Modern, her raw organic tapestries evoke a feeling of deep forest that envelopes you as you walk among them. I felt I wanted to move in and live there.
Image: Magdalena Abakanowicz at Tate Modern.
An artist/designer you admire.
Manon Gignoux and her reworked clothing.
Can you tell us something about one of your loyal customers?
Cecilia Mira is an antique dealer from South Korea, she sends British antiquities to Korean anglophiles, when I pop up in east London she makes a point of coming to see me. She wears some of my favourite items on a regular basis. Cecilia Mira Yang (she is also the photographer although the postcard is by Richard Arkaby who spotted Cecilia in Spitalfields Market and took the shot which he allowed me to use for this card).
Answers and images courtesy of Jackie Parsons, Scobel Sclothing
Find out more about Jackie Parsons, Scobel Clothing:
www.scobelclothing.co.uk
@scobelclothing
Scobel Sclothing will be exhibiting at the Selvedge Fair, Bath on 9 September 2023. Find out more at on the Selvedge website:
www.selvedge.org/products/9-september-2023-make-do-selvedge-fair-bath