I have a tattered, faded photograph that I treasure. It shows a young girl in a black tunic, black stockings and laced boots, standing in a shop doorway. The windows display 1920s dresses beneath signs announcing the shop name ‘Pomme’.
The young girl is my mother, the year probably 1928 and the place is Broad Street in Seaford. She is about 14 and apprenticed for five years to the shop owner, who styled herself ‘Madame Pomme’, offering fine gowns, seasonal garments and accessories to Seaford ladies.
My mother had a gift for sewing and was apprenticed to learn the skills of dressmaking and tailoring, while working as shop assistant and general helper to Madame Pomme.
I wish I had asked more questions about her life at that time, but I do recall some tales that reflect life then and life in general.
Mum worked a long day in the shop and was expected to deliver some purchases made by Seaford customers before returning home to Newhaven. She recalls trailing on foot, in all weathers, across the town and especially to the many private schools, where the masters’ wives expected local delivery of their expensive evening gowns.
Occasionally, Madame went to London to buy ready-made stock and other items. My mother admitted that, when the shop was closed for lunch, she might try on a gown, just to see what beaded crepe de chine felt and looked like on a little teenager!
The other tale I remember well was the time a customer returned with a stylish hat which was too tight for comfort. Madame immediately offered to ‘put it on the hat stretcher’. She retreated to a back room, where my mother watched her give the hat a sharp tug across her knee to ease the stitching. Job done!
Mum did not recall these days with any nostalgia but she learned skills that lasted a lifetime and still amaze me, looking at garments she made me, which I treasure, just like that old photograph.
JoyceE
Celebrating Seaford 