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Fashion Bureau Suggested

New Zealand fashion manufacturers had an open market for good garments in Australia but they should set up an information bureau in Sydney to organise sales and market research, said Mrs Elizabeth Mason, a wellknown Australian fashion consultant. Would-be exporters who arrived on the highly competitive Australian scene with a suitcase, expecting to make all their appointments in a morning, would not be suc-

cessful. They would require knowledge of the country’s buying habits, of fashions in demand -and those already flooding the market, and the expectations of buyers.

‘The garments must be good quality. We have more than enough budget clothes already. Yarns here are equal to those anywhere In the world but the construction and finish must be perfect," said Mrs Mason, who arrived in Christchurch . yesterday after judging the Benson and Hedges competition for New Zealand designers in Wellington on Thursday evening. “The bureau would be a showcase for New Zealand fashion and help, establish your name. Financed by a levy on your manufacturers and staffed by two or three New Zealanders it could carry out valuable market research. “Buyers could examine garments left at the bureau and their comments could be forwarded to manufacturers, giving. them a guide on what Australian buyers are looking for in imported garments. “For instance, wool jersey here is much dearer than in Australia, so no manufacturer should waste his time trying to sell wool jersey suits across the Tasman," she said. Mrs Mason considers that the standard of garments produced in New Zealand is good and that techniques here are equal to those in Australia. The winners in the Bensort and Hedges competition, which was run by the Modelling Association, delighted Mrs Mason for their cut, use of fabric, and flair. But too many entrants did not seem to realise that fashion design and simplicity

were synonymous. The unwary disregarded the discipline demanded when designing a garment and could not resist adding a few sequins, a ruffle, a “bit here and a bit there.” In the creative section the sense for fun fashion got somewhat out of hand at times and became fancy dress. Lack of finish—particularly in linings—poor setting in of sleeves, and haphazard pressing disqualified many garments which showed creative promise. However, Mrs Mason was delighted to find a number of young designers showing talent. The award winner in the day wear section was Sharon Halley, who has just opened a boutique in Palmerston North. She made and modelled her ensemble of navy wool coat and lemon wool textured dress.

“It was perfectly cut and finished. When the coat was closed the pattern of a fourleaf clover, which was welted in, met perfectly. The clover design on the pockets was also expertly welted in and retained a very smooth line.”

This is the fourth year the award has been held. Mrs Mason would like to see some co-ordination with Australia in the future. She has suggested flying the winning garments to Australia to be shown there, and she thinks a New Zealand tour would be well received.

The Wool Board’s award for the best wool garment over all sections went to Colleen Stround, of Lower Hutt. Mrs Delta d'Oyle, of Masterton, won the evening wear section and Peter Rigby, of Brooklyn, was judged first in the creative section.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19671014.2.23.5

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 2

Word Count
553

Fashion Bureau Suggested Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 2

Fashion Bureau Suggested Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 2