History

A new chapter….. Farewell Soho, Hello Postal!

DMButtons and Buttonholes has recently embarked on a new chapter in its storied history. The Soho Workroom, which served walk-in customers for over seven decades, closed its doors on July 19, 2024. In response to the post-2020 pandemic landscape and Soho’s evolving economy, the company has shifted to a remote service model. This transition represents a pivotal moment for DMButtons and Soho, marking the departure of another cherished artisan from the iconic streets of the West End.

DMButtons – Farewell to Soho

In Soho’s heart, since days post-war,
We’ve buttoned, sewn, and so much more.
Miller’s craft through years did flow,
But now it’s time for us to go.

Our lease is up, we move along,
From streets that sang our century’s song.
Beloved Soho, home so dear,
A sad farewell, we shed a tear.

Yet do not fret, nor feel dismay,
Our service finds another way.
From July, by post we’ll send,
You to Us, client and friend.

DMButtons, still with pride,
By courier or post, we’ll glide.
Our buttons and buttonholes, care in each,
Your door, our art, within your reach.

So farewell Soho, streets we leave,
In every stitch, our craft believe.
New paths we chart, our bond remains,
With thanks to you our business reigns.

buttons, buttonholes, covered buttons, dmbuttons

Operating from a small workroom on Berwick Street in Soho, once a bustling manufacturing hub of the West End, ‘Auntie Annie’ and her husband Dave were essential to the garment finishing processes. Auntie Annie’s nephew, Jack—a skilled hat maker from Brick Lane—joined the buttonholers as a young lad. Observing the growing demand for buttonhole services, Auntie Annie asked, “Jacky, can you come and help me with the buttonholes?” … and that was that..

The well established buttonhole makers, now know as D.M.Buttons & Buttonholes, has been providing services for garment makers since the beginning of the last century.

After World War II, Jack, who had previously worked with his milliner father Mike in Petticoat Lane, expanded the buttonhole services and relocated to larger premises in Wardour Mews. In the 1950s, Jack married Rita, a fellow buttonholer, marking the start of an iconic partnership cherished by many long-standing customers. Eventually, the business became a full family affair with their son David, a true Londoner, joining the team at age 12. David, one of the rare UK manufacturers still in operation, began by covering buttons for pocket money and honed his skills over the years, eventually taking over the business after the millennium.

“David, one of the ‘rare breed’ of manufacturers still trading in the UK, learnt his craft from a very young age.”

Today, David Miller is the owner and buttonhole maker at D.M. Buttons & Buttonholes, continuing the tradition in the same Mews workshops he worked at for over 50 years. Alongside local tailors, the workroom has served independent bespoke makers, prestigious suiting houses on Savile Row, and high-end fashion houses. Also working with wardrobe departments and theatres for productions like Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, and Les Misérables, as well as with prominent costume studios such as Cosprop and Academy Costumes.

“The ‘bread and butter’ has always been the local tailors”

D.M. Buttons’ craftsmanship is featured in bridal wear and evening gowns by exclusive designers like Ralph & Russo, Stuart Parvin and Suzanne Neville, and has adorned the garments of international catwalks. Celebrities ranging from The Beatles to Tom Jones, Michael Jackson to Boy George, and even The Royal Family have worn garments featuring D.M. Buttons’ covered buttons.

The years have seen a fair few notable fashion icons themselves walk through the doors including Alexander McQueen, Charles Jeffrey, Vivienne Westwood, Yuki, Bruce Oldfield, Betty Jackson, Jasper Conran, and Stella McCartney to name a few.

Despite the glamour and decadence of many garments handled, the real ‘bread and butter’ of DMButtons has always been the local tailors, maintaining London’s manufacturing connections for all these years.

“Customers continue to seek out our machine-sewn buttonholes, a niche service we’ve proudly offered for over 100 years.”

D.M. Buttons & Buttonholes has been featured in various publications. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @dmbuttons. Look out for DMButtons buttonholes in shows like Downton Abbey, Poldark, Vanity Fair, and the upcoming (2018) film Bohemian Rhapsody. The Soho workroom also appears in the AIRBnB’s review ‘Things to Do and Places to Visit’ online resource.