Deryn Schmidt

www.derynschmidt.co.nz
facebook.com/DerynSchmidt
twitter.com/DerynSchmidt
Physical Address:  Workroom/Home is in Whitby, Porirua.
Operating Since:  This is a brand new label, having started the business in October 2009, with my debut range for Spring - Summer 2010 titled "Growth" in stores now.

Deryn, Millicent and Carl

What are you all about?  
What kind of clothes do you make?
After more than ten years in the industry, working my way up the fashion ladder for a number of designers both here in NZ and England, I am now turning a childhood dream into reality with the launch of my very own label. I am all about producing 100% NZ-made collections of high fashion women's wear; utilising the talents of some very skilled local individuals along with highly regarded NZ manufacturers to ensure my high standards are met.  I also have an established preference for selecting natural fibres to design with, which assist me in creating quality garments that not only look great but feel great too.


Who makes your clothes?
The current range is almost entirely made locally in the greater Wellington region; split between myself and some very talented outworkers, including a great local manufacturer. I also use a manufacturer in Auckland, and plan to utilise another in Nelson as production increases.


Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?
We are stocked at some lovely boutiques around NZ, with a Christchurch store to be announce for Autumn-Winter 2011.  We do not currently operate an online shop but please feel free to contact us via the website, or email info@derynschmidt.co.nz.


What price range are your clothes in?
Mid-Upper price range for high end garments designed and made to very high standards from quality fabrics.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
The most obvious reason is to make more money by reducing costs and increasing margins; with another being around the ability to manufacture in large quantities, often from just one factory offering a one-stop shop.


What could the government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Honestly, I don't think the government are all that interested in helping & agree with the comments made by Davey Hughes from Swazi Apparel in the November blog.  It really does come down to the priorities/morals of each clothing label; with the demand, or lack of demand, from the consumer also playing an important part in influencing these production decisions.


Let's hope more people start demanding 100% New Zealand made to help stop the current trend of moving production offshore.  


Anything to add?
For us, it is all about supporting New Zealanders like ourselves, to ensure we don't lose the expertise, skills and knowledge available locally.  Sure, it may cost a little more to produce; but to guarantee the quality, retain and create jobs, support the NZ economy, preserve our identity and uniqueness - is that not worth the premium?


Thanks, Angeline, for the opportunity to be a part of your blog and your passion in supporting NZ made!

Cactus Equipment

www.cactusequipment.co.nz
facebook.com/CactusClimbing
twitter.com/cactusclimbing
Physical Address:  90 Fitzgerald Avenue, Christchurch City
Operating Since:  1992

Rob Gray
Guy Nurse (reflected)

What are you all about?  What kind of clothes do you make?
Cactus was born of the outdoor and climbing industry, initially focusing on climbing related products.  It soon became apparent that there were many more uses for the style of durable, practical, locally made products we were producing.
As the company has expanded over the years, a wide range of outdoor equipment and clothing has evolved.  Our popular products include the WK work wear range - lightweight casual right through to heavy-duty industrial garments, packs and bags.


Who makes your clothes?  
We do - in Aotearoa.  Both at our factory in Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch, and at contract manufacturers.


Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?
Our products are sold through several retail stores, direct through our website, and through a factory showroom store located on site.


What price range are your clothes in?
Our clothes are designed and made in NZ to wear in, not out.  The price of our garments reflects this, and the life of our clothing will far exceed that of similarly priced clothing.  Prices range from $69 to $449.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
For a range of reasons, though I'd suspect the most common reason would be to reduce production costs and improve margins.  There is something special about crafting a product on shore and in-house, seeing it go from an idea to a finished product.  Our customers also like the fact that a product can be repaired and/or modified to their needs in-house and on site - all they need to do is ask!


What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
We don't want to see others penalised for making their gear offshore.  We stand by our product, its price, and the fact that it could be the longest lasting product you'll ever buy.  In offering subsidies to local manufacturers, the Government could give the opportunity for locally made products to compete with imported clothing on pricing, not just quality.


Anything to add?
Choice blog, we value what you are doing, Angeline; and thank you for the opportunity to profile our gear alongside the many other quality products here in Aotearoa.

Swazi Apparel

www.swazi.co.nz
facebook.com/swazinz
twitter.com/SwaziNZ
Physical Address:  94 Oxford Street, Levin
Operating Since:  1994

Davey and Maggie Hughes

What are you all about?  
Creativity.  Innovation.  Social and environmental responsibility.


What kind of clothes do you make? The clothes we create provide solutions for people who work and play in the outdoors.


Who makes your clothes?
We make the clothes at our world headquarters in Levin.


Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?
All our clothing can be purchased online or through RD1 stores nationwide.  They are also available from the legendary Haddad brothers in Otorohanga, as well as Hamills in Palmerston North and Christchurch.


What price range are your clothes in?
From expensive to freekin' expensive!  There's no such thing as cheap in high performance.  We design and personally test our gear in some of the harshest environments on the planet.  From the -100°C windchill we experienced in Siberia to the frigid fjords of Svalbard, Swazi gear is proven or we simply don't produce it.  It is practical and durable and we stand behind it 100%.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
Personally?  Greed.
This current world economy is based on one thing, MORE for LESS; driven by super-consumptive concepts.  I don't see it changing in the short term. Which doesn't mean everyone has to follow suit.  I want to craft the finest products.  I want to walk into work and hear staff singing because they are genuinely happy.  They have self-esteem; jobs that matter.  Lives that are full.  I want my customers to know that when they buy Swazi, they are making an investment in society.  Contributing to conservation projects that count; keeping good people employed.


Our company obviously has to make a profit but there are much bigger things than merely enhancing our bottom line.  Building a better world, showing respect and taking social responsibility seriously - you know, all the things we try to teach our children then conveniently forget as we grow older!  Of course, this makes me a naive simpleton in many people's eyes.  Again, personally?  What a compliment!


What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Nothing.  I don't want to sound like a pessimist but it is People who will ultimately make this decision, not government.  One thing I have learnt is subsequent governments are not actually interested in people.  Yes, a touch sad, but true nonetheless.  What is even more sad is, they seem to lack any pride in our nation.  


Imagine this!  Imagine if the government had to treat your company the same way you treated your staff.  How cool would that be?  Imagine if we started to think about NZers first?  Stopped selling jobs overseas for small favours to large countries.  Stopped selling those large countries our farms.  Stopped knighting importers.  I'd better stop right there because I'm sounding a little bit too much of a political activist and not a clothing manufacturer!


Anything to add?
Life is what you make it.  Be positive.  Be accepting.  Most of all, have fun!
He tangata.  He tangata.  He tangata.
It is People.  It is People.  It is People.

Jacinta Fitzgerald

www.jacintafitzgerald.com

facebook.com/JacintaFitzGeraldBoutique
twitter.com/JacintaFtzGerld

Physical Address:  Mount Maunganui
Operating Since:  2008

What are you all about?  
What kind of clothes do you make?
Pretty feminine clothes for the contemporary woman, flattering and fun;  yet can also be structured and edgy.


Who makes your clothes?
Various factories, and sewers working at home, in Tauranga and Auckland.


Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?
Available at selected boutiques around NZ, with 5 new stores coming on board for winter 2011.  To buy online, check out our website and email us with your request.  An online boutique will be available soon... watch this space.


What price range are your clothes in?
Mid to high end womenswear.  Dresses range from $199 - $399.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
Every brand that manufactures offshore would have a different reason for doing so - from price competitiveness to manufacturing quantities too large to produce here to manufacturing techniques that are not available in NZ.  Competing on price would definitely be one of the main ones.


What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Encourage and support the clothing manufacturing sector in NZ.  Perhaps with incentives to encourage young people into the trade side of the business.  


We also need to educate the public about supporting local industry and buying NZ-made garments.  More expensive but also more exclusive, a better quality (usually) and something that has a chain of benefits right down the line; from the designer to the sewer to the presser to the delivery company.  It's all about supporting the local NZ industry and economy so that it grows for the benefit of all us.

Shikoba

www.shikobaclothing.co.nz
facebook.com/shikoba
twitter.com/shikobaclothing
Physical Address:  Forest Lake, Hamilton
Operating Since:  2006

Aroha Wikotu

What are you all about?  What kind of clothes do you make?  
NZ nature inspired, NZ made.  Unique, stylish flattering clothing.


Who makes your clothes?  My clothes are made by a local outworker in Hamilton & I make a few as well.

 Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?  
You can buy Shikoba in small exclusive design stores throughout NZ & yes, they are available online on the website.


What price range are your clothes in?  From $100 - $300.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
They get to a point where it's a cheaper option and will increase their profits.


What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Help grow the market for our NZ made product both here and overseas.


Anything to add?  Even though you initially pay more for a better quality product, you end up saving long term by its life span.