Nathan is a Welsh fashion designer and former player for Newport RFC from Penarth who has worked on tailoring trends since 2014.
14 June 1983
Cardiff, Wales
Nathan Palmer’s parents moved to Ringland when they came to the UK from Jamaica, and his grandparents still live there.
Nathan Palmer grew up in the Canton area of Cardiff.
“I have been brought up with fashion by old school tailors. The importance of the fall of the garments and construction of the pattern were the be and end all of every article. Throughout my childhood I sat down, watched and copy all the techniques he used. At that time I didn’t realize that this would be my career. As I grew older I drifted away from fashion and tailoring indulging in Football, Rugby and Athletics which become my passions in life.”
Palmer took a break from rugby for around three years and completed a degree in fashion design at Newport University.
He has previously dressed Olympic medallists and boxers Karriss Artingstall and Lauren Price, as well as the footballers Sean Morrison and Neil Etheridge and Welsh singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins of Steps.
He said that in his line of work he got judged on his ability rather than on the colour of his skin, but admitted there were glass ceilings in place for many Black business people and employees.
“You have to work harder,” he said.
“I’m lucky that I’m in an industry in which I get judged, but judged on my work. It is unfair as a Black person that it’s not always the case. It’s just what I’m used to.”
It is part of the work the company is doing to represent all the communities it serves – and to highlight the importance of Black-owned companies to the UK’s economic recovery.
Links to wider Resources:
An Authentic Clothing Brand That’s Built To Last | Perverse Demand
Welsh bespoke and made-to-measure suits by Nathan Palmer (bgfashion.net)
Newport’s Palmer on fast track to the top – Wales Online
Credits (where info sourced from)
Ex-Newport rugby man has designs on fashion world | South Wales Argus
Tell us about Welsh black-owned businesses with #IAMBOB – Wales Online
