6 minute read
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: SKARONG
HOUSE OF STYLE
We chat to SKARONG co-founder Marielle Collins about its unique concept and why this versatile wardrobe summer staple is so popular with Aussies and tourists alike.
What do you get when you blend a skirt and a sarong? SKARONG, a uniquely shaped and sleek convertible one piece design that is incredibly simple to tie and wear in countless ways.
The wearer can be her own ‘designer’ as she can style her SKARONG however she likes—it can transition from day to evening wear with ease, which makes the versatility of the SKARONG design a huge selling point, says co-founder Marielle Collins, who launched the brand with her husband Jeremy.
“I saw a need for a concept like SKARONG when I observed so many women of all ages struggling with their traditional sarongs at my local beach,” she explains.
“Not only were they having difficulty tying their sarongs and struggling to keep the edges together, but they looked bulky and unflattering and I knew there had to be a better solution.
“I had an epiphany and remembered the design that I came up with after I had finished university many years ago, on that very same beach. After 18 months of perfecting the design, the SKARONG was born which was not only functional because of its strategically placed centre front seam to prevent embarrassing ‘wardrobe moments’, but multi-functional and figure flattering.”
Because the SKARONG design is so unique she was successful in being granted an Australian Design Registration and SKARONG was formally launched for summer 2016/2017.
“SKARONG is such a simple design yet there is nothing like it on the market, which is why we were so successful in obtaining a global patent.
“Our customers love the unique design and the fact that SKARONG is Australian made. The best compliment for us is the high rate of repeat customers who tend to try one first then get back online to add more to their collection.
“We sell to luxury resorts throughout Australia and the feedback we get from them is that tourists love buying SKARONG not only because of the design but also because all SKARONGs have the Australian Made tag. The tourists know that they are taking back with them a genuine and quintessential Australian item.”
SKARONG’s popularity led to free television exposure on Home and Away, Studio 10 and Sunrise on Channel 7, being invited to collaborate with Miss World Australia and the Australian Fashion Federation to showcase SKARONG at the Gold Coast Swim Week 2024.
“We love bringing a beautifully simple solution successfully to market to make a relaxing day at the beach more comfortable and stylish. In addition, giving the beachgoer the option to be able to ‘restyle’ her SKARONG because of its versatility and wear it out after leaving the beach.”
SKARONG ethically produces all products in Australia. They are made from breathable easy-care poly/spandex and are available in four different sizes (XS, S, M & L), so a perfect fit is ensured every time and for everybody regardless of size or body shape, Collins adds.
“We also have SKARONGs in our collection that are made using fabric that is constructed from 92 per cent recycled plastic bottles that were saved from polluting the world’s oceans. We will gradually be adding more sustainable fabrics to our collection as our Eco Meshes are extremely popular and some of our best-sellers.”
The mid and maxi lengths give the wearer the option of not only wearing her SKARONG sarong style and as skirts, but also as various dress styles and longer style tops.
“Our customers tell us that their SKARONG is perfect when going on holidays because the flexibility to switch just one SKARONG into various styles is the same as packing at least six different items of clothing. They love that they are so light to pack and the easy-care poly/spandex means they can be washed by hand, they are quick drying and don’t crease easily.
“As SKARONG has such an extensive range of fabrics our stockists just don’t have enough space to dedicate to SKARONG, so we continually get online sales from customers who have bought from one of our stockists but then hop online to purchase more pieces that aren’t available in the stores.”
Indeed, one of Collins’ biggest challenges is getting stocked in stores with as wide a variety of styles to maximise sales.
“SKARONGs are a bit like great wines—you need to display a good variety in order to sell more,” she says.
“A lack of government encouragement and support to clothing manufacturing industries makes it difficult to find local makers that can achieve our high-quality standards that is also cost effective for small businesses like SKARONG.
“We would love to expand into other countries, as SKARONG is a universal garment. The main obstacle to growth into overseas markets is logistics. It is costly to manufacture and ship out of Australia, especially for a small business and we want SKARONG to be well-priced for all our customers. Definitely expanding and selling to other countries is high on our list and something we will be looking into in the next year or two.”
The latest addition to the collection is the new micro length which is shorter than the mini length. Collins says they had numerous requests from younger customers asking if they had a shorter, sassier length so the micro length was introduced, which is already selling really well.
“Swimwear is next on our list which will be complementing the colours and prints in the SKARONG collection,” she enthuses.
“SKARONG is committed to lessening our impact on the environment so our desire to minimise waste has us working on creative uses for our offcuts and remnant fabrics. We are already producing items like belts, head turbans for chemotherapy patients and other accessories using our fabric remnants.
“We are also currently working on another design that is SKARONG based but a longer version, which is aimed at the eveningwear market—some with diamanté accessories. We will also have matching accessory items made from upcycling our larger fabric remnants—all very exciting for us.”
