Emma Highfield

www.emmahighfield.com

facebook.com/emmajanehighfield

twitter.com/emmahighfield

www.emmahighfield.blogspot.com

Physical Address:  Auckland

Operating Since:  October 2009

What are you all about?  

What kind of clothes do you make?

The Emma Highfield lingerie and sleepwear brand is fun, feminine and flattering; designed and handcrafted in New Zealand with an emphasis on high quality, non-mass produced garments.  I currently construct all garments myself in my home-based studio & love that I have complete control over every element of the design, pattern-making and construction process.

Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?

All garments are currently sold online here or via my Etsy store.

What price range are your clothes in?

NZ$30 - $120

Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?

I believe one of the main contributing factors is the cost.

What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?

Offer young designers and small businesses grants and scholarships & help establish mentor programs and internships with established designers.  

There needs to be an incentive.

Anything to add?

Love the job you do!

Swonderful

www.swonderful.co.nz

facebook.com/swonderfulshop

twitter.com/swonderfulshop

Physical Address:  241 Cuba St, Wellington

Operating Since:  15 September 2007

Ginny & Frances McMullen

What are you all about?

What kind of clothes do you make?

We are a mother and daughter team - designing, making clothing as well as jewellery & other bits and bobs.  Our label is called Papercup and our shop is called Swonderful Boutique.  We've just moved to a great new location on Cuba Street in Wellington.  We are loving having space out the back of the shop for our workroom.

Papercup clothing is vintage-inspired high quality clothing that flatters the female form.  We mainly use cottons and natural fibres, usually with an emphasis on the waist.  We are inspired by the 1940's - 1960's.  We love French cinema, sausage dogs, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.  We like to name our dresses thing like Roman Holiday, Cabana and Hot Date.  We make beautiful clothes because we love them;  we have a shop because we always wanted one!  We don't take things too seriously and that's the way we like it.

Who makes your clothes?

About half our clothes are made out the back of the shop by Frances, co-owner and amazing designer/seamstress.  We have a couple of outworkers who help with the cutting, pattern-making and sewing the trickier fabrics (like silk!).  Stitch Products in Porirua have also been great to us and make the rest of the range.  Both our outworkers are only about 10 minutes away - we keep it very local!

Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?

Currently us at Swonderful (both in the actual shop and online) and The Yellow Brick Road in Auckland.

What price range are your clothes in?

$55 - $300

What other NZ-made labels do you sell?

We sell Harriett Falvey, Love Love Lorelei and Typing Pool (our side label - vintage inspired workwear).

Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?

Because it's cheaper. It's the sad truth of it.

What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?

We really think they should introduce grants for small businesses aiming to produce items in NZ - whether it's clothing or other things.  It sucks there isn't more support for businesses like ours.  Especially during this recession, the Government should be helping business to keep it in NZ.

Lela Jacobs

www.lelajacobs.co.nz

facebook.com/Lela-Jacobs

Physical Address:  504 Karangahape Road, Newton, Auckland

Operating Since:  Just over two years.

What are you all about?

What kind of clothes do you make?

The aesthetic direction of Lela Jacobs is minimal and understated with an emphasis on strong design, innovation and androgynous appeal without trend victimisation.  A monochromatic colour palette of predominantly blacks, grays, whites and neutrals accentuates the conceptual silhouettes and strong lines of a Lela Jacobs design.

The label values high quality fabrics, locally well made garments, accessories and unique explorative thinking.  The designs intend to be thought-provoking, versatile and highly wearable through inquisitive thought, challenging technical patternmaking and experimental silhouettes.  These are executed in luxurious and high-end fabrics valued for their quality, finish and durability throughout the garment lifecycle. This is evident from the selection of exquisitely soft and opulent natural materials such as silks, cottons, leather and merino.  Supporting the local economy is an integral part of the brand's values; favouring local manufacturers, hand knitters & collaborations with crafters and artists.

Who makes your clothes?

Stitch Products in Porirua.  Queen Maureen = our hand knitter.  Emma Evans = our leatherworker.  And in-house for bespoke styles.

Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?

We have select boutique stockists nationwide and a few internationally.  You can also buy through our online store and very soon in our flagship store, 'The Keep'.

What price range are your clothes in?

From $100 to $1000.

Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?  Price point.

What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?

Dress better.

Anything to add?

A word to all readers - please put consideration into your future purchases.  Enough of this disposable world, we should be buying things we want to keep for longer than fads sake.  Quality not quantity.  Also, be aware of "sales" scams.

MisteR

www.mister.co.nz

facebook.com/mistermenswear

facebook.com/misterwomenswear

twitter.com/mister_clothing

Physical Address:  Due to earthquakes we no longer have a studio/showroom and are working from home.

Operating Since:  We established MisteR in 2006.

Mickey Lin & Ra Thomson

What are you all about?

We started MisteR as a New Zealand designed and made boutique menswear label with a distinctive international outlook.  In 2011, we launched a women's line & established MisteR as a major player in the NZ Fashion scene.

What kind of clothes do you make?

MisteR's style is an artful collision between the heritage of British tailoring and the experimental fun and quirkiness of Asian fashion.  This means we love structured cuts, quality construction and comfortably stylish fit.  At MisteR, details reigns supreme and we embrace exuberant colours, bold patterns and quirky touches.  Alongside our attention to detail is our commitment to quality and comfort; and to the environment, we have strict guidelines on using only natural fibre fabrics, buttons and linings. We believe every little bit helps when looking after our customers and our planet.

We carefully curate each range and produce limited quantities of hand numbered pieces, which adds exclusivity to each garment.  Whilst we are known for our suits, alongside these you'll find shirts, premium denim, knits and tees so you can mix and match to create your own unique look. We believe good fashion is always in style, and our garments are designed to last both stylistically and physically the test of time.  MisteR is a platform for you to express your own personal style and celebrate distinctive, individual clothing created with passion and care; which has always been and will always be 'Made in New Zealand'.

Who makes your clothes?

One of our key aspects is we only make our clothes in New Zealand.

We use a number of manufacturers around the country.

Who sells your clothes?

We have a number of stockists around the country & we like to stock our wares at shops who reflect our own ideals.

Can we buy them online?

Yes!  We sell online and we have a number of international customers who order via our website.

What price range are your clothes in?

MisteR is in the mid to high price range but we are true believers in 'you get what you paid for'.  Our clothing is high-end designer product made from high quality materials & manufactured right here in NZ.  We produce very small quantities of each style so therefore you won't see anyone else with yours.  You may pay more for NZ-made but, by supporting NZ-made, you're supporting your community and ensuring your money stays here and doesn't go overseas.

Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?

Because it's cheaper.

What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?

Give more funding to the "Buy NZ Made" campaign.

Put tariffs back on imported products.

Make it easier to trade overseas with grants and subsidies.

Anything to add?

MisteR loves you! XOXO