N.Z. ATTITUDE TO FASHION

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29263, 22 July 1960, Page 16

N.Z. ATTITUDE TO FASHION

View Of English Manufacturers

New Zealand’s superior standards of taste in choice of highfashion cotton goods, were praised by Mr J. Weston, overseas representative of an English firm of cotton fashion printers in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Weston has just completed a business tour of the Dominion. Mr Weston said that since his previous visit to New Zealand in 1958 there had been a remarkable improvement in awareness of fashion and design. He now noticed a general broadening of New Zealand tastes in all fields. “It has been surprising to us that such a small country as yours can be so highly fashionconscious, and only demand goods of the very best standard,” said Mr Weston. “Previously we in Britain have been inclined to underestimate the potential of the New Zealand market.” Cotton Firms

After inspecting cotton manufacturing firms and show rooms throughout the country, Mr Weston said he considered New Zealand production methods were efficient and up-to-date and products were well displayed. Manufacturers were progressive, and not hide-bound by tradition and conservatism. Not afraid of originality, they were adapting the new overseas styles to their own ideas, rather than imitating them. “In this field we in England must pay you the compliment that we really have nothing to teach you,” said Mr Weston. Discussing the quantities of cotton goods hoilght in the various countries to which his, firm exported, Mr Weston said that sun was the main determining factor. Recent figures showed that the average New Zealand woman bought (each year) seven and one quarter cotton dresses, nearly five times as many as her English counterpart who bought one and a half. The Australian woman also bought more cotton dresses, on an average six each year.