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!

*Sistahood. by freddy chur*

www.freddychur.com

facebook.com/sistahood.by.freddychur

Physical Address:  Raglan, New Zealand

Operating Since:  May 2009

Freddy & Andrew

What are you all about?  
What kind of clothes do you make?
We're about creating funky comfy Street Styles in an Earth Conscious way.  After producing the first range in Bali, *Sistahood* is now back to its roots, and made in Raglan.  Like a lot of Kiwis, we are striving towards self-sufficiency and living in Harmony with Mother Earth;  filling every step with as much Love as we can.  For the business, that meant working with Organic fabrics, toxic-free inks and Fair Trade practices.  The last Collections were very colourful and bright; the one we are currently working on is more earthy & subtle while still playful... Organic Cotton t-shirts, singlets, hoodies, pants and dresses.  Also very excited to announce *Brothahood*, organic Streetwear for Men :)

Who makes your clothes?

I do with my friends.  I design and cut.  My friend Dominique makes the patterns.  Phil & I do the screen printing.  And several friends do the sewing.  It's always been a dream of mine to work with friends & keep the production as local as possible; but as the business is growing, we might have to start doing some manufacturing in Auckland.

Can we buy them online?

Yes, please do :)

What price range are your clothes in?

$70 - $200

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

For some, it might be the beaten track.  For others, it might be a lifestyle choice...  For many, I'm sure, it is the fact that productions is cheaper & there are a lot more options than there are in New Zealand.

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

A government grant to start up your business would be a great help.

Anything to add?

There's no separation - we're all part of each other & everything we do matters :)  And I would like to invite everyone to our first fashion show in Auckland on the 29th of May, as part of the New Zealand Organic Expo 2011!!

Mardle

www.mardle.co.nz
facebook.com/mardle
twitter.com/mardleme
Physical Address:  No physical shop, the Mardle workroom is currently based in my apartment's lounge!
Operating Since:  August 2008

Shiana Weir (right) during recent shoot

What are you all about?
Mardle is a Wellington-based label developing both women's and men's clothing with a fresh approach to the modern Kiwi wardrobe.  The concept for 2011 is for me to design and develop pieces on a project-by-project basis.  Breaking the rules of season-by-season collection releases, my aim is to have a higher level of choice throughout the year.  Designed on a whim but always with the same outcome in mind - to create the new favourite 'go-to' pieces in your wardrobe.

What kind of clothes do you make?
Instinctive 'go-to' pieces for the modern wardrobe.  There's a casual elegance about a Mardle piece, combining great fabrics with intriguing shapes and silhouettes.  The Mardle colour palette is made up of dark moody tones with fresh pops of colour here and there.

Who makes your clothes?
As part of Mardle's continuing commitment to the New Zealand fashion manufacturing industry & dedication to a higher quality of product, every stage of the manufacturing process is carries out in Aotearoa.  I do all the pattern drafting and sampling & I am currently making all pieces to order, and have found it is quicker and more cost effective to produce most pieces myself.  If I am doing larger runs (5 or more), I will send the pieces out to Stitch Products in Porirua.  I am on the hunt for a contract sewer to whom I can send one-off pieces and small runs to free up my time again for concept development and pattern-making.

Who sells your clothes?
Mardle is currently available from http://www.mardle.co.nz/ and at Salisbury Boutique in Dunedin.

What price range are your clothes in?
The Mardle 'New Favourite Tees' start at $50 and I'm currently producing dresses for under $250.

Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
Well, the number of factories in NZ is steadily declining.  This is also contributing to a lack of choice which makes it difficult to get competitive pricing in NZ.  For small labels, it is a case of having orders too small for most manufacturers to take on, but not necessarily wanting to produce larger runs & sink capital into stock.  It's a tricky business and a fine line between overproducing and meeting demand.  The manufacturers who do still operate find themselves overwhelmed with orders.

What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
Provide incentives for small manufacturing businesses to keep afloat which would hopefully, in turn, lower the costs of manufacturing in NZ & make it more affordable for small/start-up labels to hit the ground running.

It would also be great if there was a centralised list of manufacturers and suppliers for businesses to approach.  When I first started, it was a challenge just finding out where to start looking for suppliers & who to contact to get certain product.  I also found that although many suppliers were NZ-owned/operated, a lot of their product was produced overseas & didn't fit in with my 100% NZ-made approach so changes to my plans had to be made.

Anything to add?
It is hugely encouraging to see so many labels springing up all over NZ and to see the staunch support the general public has given NZ labels in the last 10 years.  People's willingness to pay a slightly higher price for high quality NZ-made products has encouraged so much growth in our fashion industry.  Thanks NZ!

Erin Taylor

www.erintaylor.co.nz
facebook.com/Erin-Taylor
Physical Address:  3 Plimmer Steps, Wellington CBD
Operating Since:  I have been a dressmaker, working from home since 2008;  I opened my boutique and workroom in November 2010.

What are you all about?  
What kind of clothes do you make?
I don't mass-produce; my aim is to sell unique or limited stocks of good quality women's workwear and cocktail wear.  I also custom make any kind of dress/skirt.  I will be selling my own line of unique vintage style wedding gowns in Spring 2011.  I am also on a one-woman mission to bring a bit of class to the way women dress these days - for example, if I see another pair of denim shorts with holes in them, I will scream.


Who makes your clothes?
Me, in my workroom, which is visible from the footpath.  Some people come in and sit with their lunch, watch me work and have a chat.


Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?
I sell them in my shop on the Plimmer Steps.  You can view what in-store online & use the contact page on the website to put an item on hold or order an item.  I am happy to send items throughout NZ with an invoice enclosed.


What price range are your clothes in?
On the rack: $69 - $385.  Dressmaking prices vary from $115 for skirts to $650+ for wedding gowns.  Jewellery is $24 - $35.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
I've heard it's cheaper.  I could never let my clothes be made in factories overseas.  It defeats the whole purpose of the idea of my business - to provide unique products.  Also NZers are prepared to pay a bit more for clothes that are made here & that will stand the test of time.


What could the government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
A tax break would be lovely!  Or a grant for businesses starting up that are making NZ-made products.


Anything to add?
Whatever you decide to do in life - just be passionate about it.  As success is much sweeter and failure is less bitter when you know you have given it everything.  Oh - and don't wear long tops with no pants - you don't look as good as you think :)

Katie-Maree Cole

www.katiemareecole.com
facebook/katie-maree-cole
twitter.com/KatiemareeCole
Operating Since:  January 2009

Katie-Maree (left) at Winter 2011 launch

What are you all about?   Making luxurious garments that are made in NZ & that make women feel beautiful.


What kind of clothes do you make? High-end womenswear in natural fabrics with a focus on colour, fit and texture.


Who makes your clothes?
Thorntons, manufacturers on the North Shore in Auckland;  owned and operated by Liz & Guy Thornton for the past 33 years.


Who sells your clothes?
The clothes are wholesaled throughout NZ; we are picking up a few new stores each season.


Can we buy them online?  Yes, please do :)


What price range are your clothes in?  Between $150 - $500.


Why do you think NZ clothing labels outsource their manufacturing overseas?
I think that it's about making a larger profit margin at the end of the day & being able to offer clothes at a price that a lot of people think is reasonable.  When you get things made in NZ, it puts the garments immediately into a pricier market & there are fewer customers that are prepared to pay the cost for garments made here.


What could the Government do to help clothing labels keep it in NZ?
I don't think it is a government issue so much as an informed consumer choice, although maybe more information & promotion of NZ-made goods would help to educate the consumer.