$ 10.95
APRIL 2020 I VOL 53 I NO 4
editor ' s note
LEADERS IN SUSTAINABLE STRETCH
ON THE PULSE
HIGH PERFORMANCE FABRICS Australia: +61 7 3251 2970 Auckland: 0508 88 44 11
Don't Buy From Strangers, Support Local We, like most of our readers, are a small New Zealand business. We are family-owned and operated, are passionate about our industry but there is only so far we can go without gas. Support is needed from our industry to keep each other alive and that includes us. This magazine has survived through a few recessions in its 51-year history, but this global crisis is a completely different challenge. Along with supporting each other, I would like to also ask for your support of the magazine. Buy a subscription, pay your advertising invoice, put some of your advertising spend with us – we guarantee to give you a lot more bang for your buck. We are proud to be the voice of the fashion industry in New Zealand and a leader in the market for so many decades. It wasn't too long ago that my dad retired and handed over the reins to me. The team would call him a helicopter parent because not only was I his daughter, but Apparel was his baby. With other media outlets closing or reducing the number of magazines in their stable, our team is committed to continuing to publish Apparel as it continues to play a vital role in providing a platform for designers and suppliers both locally and internationally. This is a strange world that we have rapidly fallen into. The fashion industry is not the same, and may never return to normal, what we have to innovate on is the "next normal". As much as I adore in-store shopping, we live in an e-commerce world now, and if your e-commerce has failed to impress a customer, you won't see them again. Forgiveness of errors isn't something that the online customer tolerates. For example, a lot of brands don't have a size chart online or don't have an up to date one, or have terrible return policies during lockdown. Don't put barriers to business, take all credit cards (I love my Amex and don't care about the additional fees – pass the fees onto the customer), make ordering and returns simple, allow a customer to reverse through your website as well as go forward, and don't put a sting in the tail at checkout by overcharging for delivery.
CHAIRMAN PUBLISHER ADMIN/SUBSCRIPTIONS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE CONTENT MANAGERS GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM
Seriously, in the chaotic world of online, there is just too much choice, a lot of national and international competition, so many brands screaming for attention. How will you stand out? How will you connect with your customers and retain them? I'm an extremely loyal New Zealand Made advocate, so any new upcoming brands that are made locally – give me a call, we are committed to working with New Zealand businesses. As a consumer, I have seen prices for shipping at $30 at multiple places! In a flooded market, you cannot create a barrier to your own business like this. We have talked about this a lot recently, but if this is you, then address this with urgency. Apparel continues to be a portal for information for your business, how to survive the COVID-19 impact and innovative ideas from around the world. We are here to help with any questions you have. No question is too random either might I add. Let us know if you are struggling, we are here to help, or even to be just a friendly sounding board or facilitator in finding you the right partner or contact. Remember to stay genuine, stay authentic, and be transparent. The mood of the nation is behind small businesses. We all want the same thing right now – to survive and thrive.
Peter Mitchell Tania Walters - tania@reviewmags.com Kieran Mitchell - kieran@reviewmags.com Sarah Mitchell - sarah@reviewmags.com Caitlan Mitchell - caitlan@reviewmags.com Janet Guan - janet@reviewmags.com Caroline Boe - caroline@reviewmags.com Raymund Sarmiento Debby Wei
2 I April 2020
RECYCLED ECO 73% Recycled Polyester 27% Elastane Black
RECYCLED ECO 73% Recycled Polyester 27% Elastane White
RECYCLED ECO 73% Recycled Polyester 27% Elastane Sublimation and Digital Printing available
ISSN 1171-2287
Suite 9, Level 3, 20 Augustus Tce, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand PO Box 37 140, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand +64 9 304 0142 Apparel is published monthly under licence by Review Publishing Co Ltd. Please direct all enquiries and correspondence to NZ Apparel. The opinions and material published in this edition of Apparel are not necessarily those of the publishers unless specifically stated. All material appearing in Apparel is copyright and may only be reproduced with the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2020 NZ Apparel Magazine.
SUSTAINABLE AND TECHNICAL PROUD TO BE PART OF
10 PIECES -COLLECTIONby
For w h o les a le en q u ires : bra n d @ ta y lo r b o u t iq u e.c o. n z
taylorboutique.co.nz/10-pieces
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fast five
KIWI FASHION BRAND TRANSFORMS INTO LOGISTICS HUB
Have you heard? Silverdale Knitwear has a new third party logistics (3PL) service called Tailored Warehousing Have you heard? Silverdale Knitwear has a new third party logistics (3PL) service called Tailored Warehousing & Distribution. This will be helpful to businesses who need to bring their cost base down, are unable to negotiate rent holidays with their current landlord, or don’t need the same space and therefore need to look at another way of managing their warehousing and distribution side of business. While this hasn’t been the core of Silverdale Knitwear’s business, moving product around always has and was a natural extension of their existing services. Silverdale Knitwear launched its Tailored Warehousing & Distribution service 18 months ago as a result of having excess space at their Levin-based warehouse. “We thought there could be opportunity to use our many years of experience in shifting product nationally and globally to
help especially smaller businesses, whose main task is design and sales, let us handle the warehouse and dispatch side of the business,” said Warren Cotterill, managing director of Silverdale Knitwear. “We are able to offer very competitive freight and warehouse pricing being based in Levin, have good volume rates due to our own knitwear stock movements and can deliver overnight to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.” When they first launched this service, RJs Licorice approached them to manage their national warehousing and distribution. Now they manage all movements of their product from their factory to their customers nationwide. This includes whole pallets and single box lots, not too far removed from the apparel industry where they can pick and send anything from one garment to multi-cartons through to full pallets.
RUNNING SHOES YOU DON’T NEED SOCKS WITH?
Wearing sneakers without socks seem absurd. However, innovative footwear label Allbirds has set the bar high with their new release.Their new high-performance sneakers, Tree Dashers, are designed for athletes and runners. Made from natural materials, staying in line with their brand ethos, this new design is made from sugarcane, renewable eucalyptus and superfine merino wool. Tested extensively before their release, it is now one of the lightest shoes in comparison to a typical sneaker - without compromising durability and comfort. The Tree Dasher is lined with a castor bean sock liner and a merino wool heel pad. The liner has odour-minimising technology which means, you don’t have to wear socks with these running shoes.Light, hassle-free and better for the environment.
WALKER & HALL DRIVE THRU Forget drive thru’s for takeaways, Walker & Hall presents to you a “drive thru” option to collect your newly acquired goods. The Walker & Hall Drive Thru is a contactless click & collect service. Need it now? You can now shop online and collect your order from the Walker & Hall Anzac Ave Showroom. There are two Drive Thru options available: • Drive Thru Express - order by 12pm and your order will be ready for pick up at 2pm the same day. • Drive Thru - your order will be ready for collection within 3 working days. Drive Thru orders are available for collection Monday - Saturday between 10am - 5pm, at 32 Anzac Ave, Auckland CBD. So what are you waiting for?
4 I April 2020
y e h t l l i w e r e h W ? u o y take HOES
XS @BOBU
Reach Tested
Podiatrist Approved
Best Design Award Winner 2019
Award winning kids footwear in sizes NB - 33EU. Available online and in stores nationwide.
The Best Shoes for Growing Feet @bobuxshoes
/bobux
fast five
VICTORIA’S SECRET’S BUYER IS NOW HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS Aprivate equity firm had agreed to purchase the women intimates brand, Victoria’s Secret prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are now trying to terminate their agreement. Sycamore Partners has filed a lawsuit asking the judge to terminate the deal. Victoria’s Secret, owned by L Brands, has announced that they will fight this lawsuit. Victoria’s Secret had been struggling prior to COVID-19, but now, with all their physical and online stores being temporarily shut, they have taken an incredible financial hit. Sycamore Partners claims that the temporary shutdown of Victoria’s Secret was “voluntary” and thus, has “caused significant damage to the Victoria’s Secret business.” L Brands has stated that the termination of the transaction agreement is invalid and will continue working toward closing the transactions. Victoria’s Secret was in trouble before the pandemic, as with many chain retailers. As a result, they have already borrowed $950 million from a revolving credit facility in March and has postponed employee raises, has temporarily reduced base pay for senior-level staff by 20 per cent and much more.
6 I April 2020
AN UPBEAT COLLECTION Instantly boost your mood from the start of your morning routine. GHD has launched their new Upbeat Collection - a mood-boosting edit of styling essentials inspired by the feel-good power of music. Their award-winning platinum+ styler, GHD gold styler and GHD Helios hairdryer have been given a new coat of cobalt and neo-mint hues. The Platinum+ styler uses innovative predictive technology, where the sensors in the styling tool predict the needs of your hair and adapt the delivery of power accordingly. The thickness of your hair, the speed in which you style your hair, is all taken into account. Thus, giving you the best results personalised to you. Now, in a new cobalt blue. The Helios hairdryer gives you salon-quality precision. Now in a gorgeous neo-mint hue, but still presenting the same unbeatable quality. Drying your hair faster and leavig your hair smooth and shiny. The Gold styler is also in a neo-mint shade. You can experiment with your festival hairstyles, once festivals are back, you’ll have your hair-do under your belt and ready to be used.
in detail
THE BEST SHOES FOR GROWING FEET The Bobux Autumn/Winter 2020 range is themed around the occasions our shoes are worn. Bobux aims to inspire parents to see where Bobux can take their child in everyday life situations - on adventures, little or large! This collection shows how each pair is designed to meet the needs of our littlest explorers. From Waterproof Boots and shoes to classic Leather Lined boots for their favourite winter outing. Designed by their New Zealand based design team lead by Nicola Williamson - an expert in leather materials and more importantly, a mother of two who has also grown up in Bobux shoes. Shoes for our little ones also must stay on-trend. One trend that Bobux has adapted is the ever-sopopular sneaker. Working with wider fashion trends and altering them to fit the youngest customers is natural for Bobux. It's time for us to draft up our outfits we'd pair with Bobux. This new collection has focused on using unique materials, textures and finishes - more so than their previous collections. It highlights the beautiful leather, quality craftsmanship and luxe design features. One of our favourites from this collection is the Jodhpur - a winter winner! A navy & caramel wonderland, what's not to love? The collection is now available online and through selected retailers. For information on stocking Bobux at your store, send an email to retailer@bobux.com.
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