Dutch couture glove-maker’s designs worn by Cher, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus

Dutch couture glove-maker Jeanne Hermans' designs have travelled all the way to Hollywood and been worn by stars like Cher, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus; several of her videos showcasing her gloves have gone viral.

Yet she still makes everything by hand from her small studio in the Netherlands.

Glove-making is now a rare trade, but Hermans built her career around it. Interns from around the world travel to her modest atelier in Zaandam, a quiet city about 20 km (12 miles) north of Amsterdam, to learn the techniques of this niche craft.

She discovered glove-making while studying tailoring in Amsterdam, after experimenting with leather techniques from a book. With low start-up costs, gloves became a practical way to launch her label in 2017.            While she initially considered leather glove-making a dying craft, Hermans said strong interest in her workshops suggests it still has global appeal.

Hermans described her designs as sitting between lingerie and accessories, a departure from the traditional opera glove.

Celebrity exposure has boosted visibility more than sales, she said. Most stylists find her work through Instagram, where a weekly glove-design challenge has helped grow her following.

Hermans now runs the business full-time with her sister, balancing international demand, teaching and design, while seeking to expand without losing the craftsmanship and small-team ethos behind the label.

-Marta Fiorin/Reuters