Less is more: William Collins snaps up 'Great British Sewing Bee's' Patrick Grant

William Collins has acquired the first book by Patrick Grant, fashion designer, tailor and judge on the BBC’s “Great British Sewing Bee".  

Publishing director Arabella Pike bought UK and Commonwealth rights to Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish – How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier from Ariella Feiner at United Agents on behalf of Matt Nicholls at United Agents. Publication is set for May 2024.

William Collins said the title was a "passionate and revealing book about loving clothes but hating the way they’re made".

In it, Grant will consider the crisis of the global fashion industry and how to set it right not just by changing what we wear but by valuing quality and provenance across our lives. The publisher added: "Weaving in his personal journey through fashion and clothing he explains how when it comes to our wardrobe, less is more.” 

Edinburgh-born Grant runs a number of fashion businesses, such as Saville Row tailors Norton & Sons and Community Clothing, a Blackburn-based brand which uses ethically-sourced materials. He has been a judge on the reality competition "Great British Sewing Bee" since 2013.   

Pike said: “This book is a passionate cry to bring back some common sense to our habits as consumers. [It is] a massive wake-up call to all of us who are tempted by shiny new clothes relentlessly marketed by retailers and influencers.” 

Grant commented: “In the book, I’ve tried to show that by changing the way we think about consumption, by having fewer better things, we can feel more connected and value more. We can all make ourselves happier.”