Swonderful

www.swonderful.co.nz

facebook.com/swonderfulshop

twitter.com/swonderfulshop

Physical Address:  241 Cuba St, Wellington

Operating Since:  15 September 2007

Ginny & Frances McMullen

What are you all about?

What kind of clothes do you make?

We are a mother and daughter team - designing, making clothing as well as jewellery & other bits and bobs.  Our label is called Papercup and our shop is called Swonderful Boutique.  We've just moved to a great new location on Cuba Street in Wellington.  We are loving having space out the back of the shop for our workroom.

Papercup clothing is vintage-inspired high quality clothing that flatters the female form.  We mainly use cottons and natural fibres, usually with an emphasis on the waist.  We are inspired by the 1940's - 1960's.  We love French cinema, sausage dogs, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.  We like to name our dresses thing like Roman Holiday, Cabana and Hot Date.  We make beautiful clothes because we love them;  we have a shop because we always wanted one!  We don't take things too seriously and that's the way we like it.

Who makes your clothes?

About half our clothes are made out the back of the shop by Frances, co-owner and amazing designer/seamstress.  We have a couple of outworkers who help with the cutting, pattern-making and sewing the trickier fabrics (like silk!).  Stitch Products in Porirua have also been great to us and make the rest of the range.  Both our outworkers are only about 10 minutes away - we keep it very local!

Who sells your clothes?  Can we buy them online?

Currently us at Swonderful (both in the actual shop and online) and The Yellow Brick Road in Auckland.

What price range are your clothes in?

$55 - $300

What other NZ-made labels do you sell?

We sell Harriett Falvey, Love Love Lorelei and Typing Pool (our side label - vintage inspired workwear).

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

Because it's cheaper. It's the sad truth of it.

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

We really think they should introduce grants for small businesses aiming to produce items in NZ - whether it's clothing or other things.  It sucks there isn't more support for businesses like ours.  Especially during this recession, the Government should be helping business to keep it in NZ.