Kōkō

www.koko-nzconceptstore.com
facebook.com/kōkō
twitter.com/_K_O_K_O
Physical Address:  75 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France
Operating Since:  17 September 2010

Catherine McMahon (left)
and Diane Pernet 

What are you all about?
Showcasing NZ fashion in Europe.
I only stock New Zealand labels.
Currently about 80% of the stock is made in NZ.  I am working towards having all the stock made in NZ, and hope to do so by the next season here.


What NZ-made labels do you sell?
World, Zambesi, Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Kate Sylvester
- though they don't all make everything in NZ.


Can we buy them online?  Not through me currently but I am looking at an option for this, as I now have some customers who are not Paris-based.


What price range are your clothes in?
From 100 to 600 euros.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?  Cost, I think, is the main reason.


Anything to add?
The French generally love New Zealanders & I have found that they will pay a little more for a garment that is made in NZ; particularly if there are only a few of each piece.  On this basis, I have no more than five of any piece in the shop.

Buttonlove

www.buttonlovekids.com
facebook.com/buttonlove
twitter.com/buttonlove

Physical Address:  Mt Albert, Auckland

Operating Since:  2008

Cat's daughter Charlie
in a Buttonlove dress

What are you all about?

Buttonlove is a New Zealand made baby label.

What kind of clothes do you make?

High quality clothing for babies and toddlers. Buttonlove garments are fashion forward as well as functional.  I like to use natural fibres such as cotton and merino fabrics.

Who makes your clothes?

I use Bobby-Lee Wadsworth to make up my samples then I spread out the production between her and my manufacturer Stitch Perfect.  It is very important to have people you can relate to, as well as delivering the high standard that Buttonlove is known for.

Who sells your clothes?

I have stockists all over New Zealand from little boutiques to the bigger department stores.

Can we buy them online?

Yes, on my website as well as some of my stockists' websites.

What price range are your clothes in?

$30 to $85; it depends on the season as well because merino is more expensive than cotton.

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

The cost is so much cheaper than producing the same garments here in New Zealand.  Saying that, the product is never as good & you can't oversee the process and quality control.

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

They need to help new businesses that are trying to get off the ground, especially those that create jobs here in NZ. We need to keep manufacturing in this country and create work for the many talented people we have here.  I think the Government could bring in some kind of tax break for staying NZ-made.

Anything to add?

Buttonlove is proud and committed to stay a New Zealand made label.

Organic Baby

www.organicbaby.co.nz
facebook.com/organicbaby
Physical Address:  127 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington
Operating Since:  2008

Lianne Earles

What are you all about?
Our focus is on natural fibres, predominantly organic cotton and merino.  Our preference is to stock NZ-made over imported labels where possible.  We also stock preloved clothing in keeping with our whole eco-friendly philosophy.


What NZ-made labels do you sell?
APT Creationz, Buttonlove, Bev Lees, Nettle & Wolf, Strawberry Jam and locally-made knitwear.  Our organic cotton label, Pureborn Organic is NZ-designed but, for practical reasons, grown and manufactured in India.
We also stock NZ-made accessories - beanies, bibs, baby wipes, shoes, nappy bags, wooden teethers and toys, etc.


Can we buy them online?
Yes, you can buy them online!


Do you have your own label?  Who makes your clothes?
We don't manufacture any of our own clothing but we do have a very sweet "kiwi" bodysuit in organic cotton which is screenprinted locally using water-based inks.


What price range are your clothes in?
From $15 for an organic cotton beanie to $79 for knitwear.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
It is cost and price driven.  Many clothing labels manufacture overseas to simply keep their prices at a level customers are prepared to pay.  We have stocked beautiful NZ-made ranges which just haven't sold until end-of-season clearance.  It's sad.


What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
It's a difficult situation.  If the economy was in better shape and wages were higher, more people could afford to choose NZ-made over shopping at the chain stores where everything is made in China.  
I think more support should be given to small businesses and there should be financial incentives to stay NZ-made.  Introducing higher tariffs and duties on imported goods would slow the flood of imported goods.

SABATINI

www.sabatini.co.nz

facebook.com/sabatini
twitter.com/sabatini

Physical Address:  180-182 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland

Operating Since:  1958 (Operating as Sonny Elegant Knitwear)

SABATINI was started in 1991 under our parent company, Sonny Elegant Knitwear.

Margi and Tony Milich
Creative & Managing Director

What are you all about?

What kind of clothes do you make?

The SABATINI feeling is for a sexy naturalness and designed for women who want easy-care knit dressing.  Distinctive colour palettes and intricate fabric design content are an integral part of each collection.  Many of the yarns used are combined for originality & are sustainable eco-friendly derivatives.  With this foundation, our company has evolved into a highly successful international fashion label; exporting directional and creative designer knit fashion all over the world.

SABATINI's reputation centres around a Made in New Zealand philosophy with each garment hand cut, hand linked & hand finished for quality in leading edge knit design.

Who makes your clothes?

We have our own on-site Knitwear Factory where both the fabric and garments are designed and manufactured right from raw materials.

Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?

We sell to various boutiques, currently focusing on the NZ and Australian markets, as well as having our own E-boutique.

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

3 years or so, it became quite popular for brands to outsource manufacturing because of the benefits of good quality at low prices.  As well as this, there has been a gradual loss of the older, skilled workforce in New Zealand; which forces brands to source better quality elsewhere.  I think this is what initially sent a lot of manufacturers overseas.  In the last year, however, this has changed; there have been a lot of price increases overseas, lessening the benefits.

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

When the Government introduced the free trade agreement with China, it seems they have essentially given up trying to keep manufacturing in New Zealand.  With this policy in place, it is very hard to compete with locally made goods, which is a shame.

emma

www.emmacollections.com
facebook.com/emma
Physical Address:  476 Adelaide Road, Berhampore, Wellington
Operating Since:  2006

What are you all about?  
What kind of clothes do you make?

emma is my label and I'm Emma Wallace, the designer/director.  From my workroom/boutique in Wellington, I design, co-ordinate production, wholesale, retail and run the business side for all emma clothing and accessories.

We have a small dedicated team that create seasonal ranges to meet the demands of busy, creative NZ women for fashionable, well-made, sustainable clothing with a dash of whimsy and vintage detailing.

Who makes your clothes?

Having trained in Fashion Design and Technology, I really enjoy being hands-on creating patterns and samples.  We also work with a select and wonderful number of talented local contractors who are skilled in pattern-making, cutting and construction.  Thank goodness they are here!

Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?

We do!  emma is available at our Wellington boutique.  We also wholesale to some lovely NZ retailers.  You can buy emma online at Foxes.

What price range are your clothes in?

We create new styles every season that range from merino wool tops, silk dresses to tailored winter coats so individual prices vary; but we like to keep them in a mid-price range.  Prices start from around $80.

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

I imagine it's primarily for business reasons such as volume requirements and price; also skills  and technical levels which may only be found overseas.  Our local manufacturing base has been eroded over the years so we really need to support the businesses that remain.  They pay fair wages, provide good work environments; and I really like that they are 'just around the corner'.

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

Be smarter with their Buy NZ Made campaign - get to the grassroots, highlight & support new labels, publicise what's happening in local communities, target social networks and, most importantly, promote our uniqueness.  Remind Kiwis of what we have, what they value about it, and empower them to make a difference to our future by their buying choices.

Anything to add?

Thank you to everyone who supports NZ-made clothing - you are all stars!