Clothing shop commissioning local sewing
Sarah Manson of Amika has all her merino wear made in the Bay. Photo: Gerard Hindmarsh.
Though she normally sources stock from Asia for her shop, Sarah Manson of Amika is employing local cutters and tailors to produce her line of merino wool hoodies, dresses, miniskirts, kimono wraps and scoop-neck tops, and vests - all of which are prominently stocked.
Sarah buys the merino fabric in bolts from Global Fabrics in Auckland, then employs local seamstresses - Odessa Heraud on cut-outs, Kylie Thomas on sewing, and Hesta MacReady on both - to produce the finished, professional garments.
Says Sarah: “I’ve been working towards getting my designs made here in the Bay for years but have been limited because of the lack of various special machines needed, which we now have the use of. It’s awesome to be finally supporting local sewers instead of having things made in Nelson, plus there’s the advantage of saving all those air miles that importing clothing entails”.
She says she concentrated more on winter designs this year, because it is the first time she has had premises to be open all winter.
Sarah started Amika just over nine years ago in the courtyard beside the Organic Shop. Last September she moved to her current premises at 53A Commercial Street, formerly the Tutti Fruitti ice cream parlour.
Designing her summer clothing range in Bali has always been a mainstay of her business. “I love going to Bali. The people are really friendly and good to work with, there is a good selection and quality of fabric, and the tailoring is of a very high standard. I also source some treats from Thailand, but eventually my goal is to have most of my shop filled with my Amika designs.”
Sarah has worked with the Balinese tailor who has made garments from her designs when Sarah started designing her own range five years ago.
Raised in East Takaka, Sarah has always loved clothes and admires their many different fabrics and styles. “I guess where I’ve come to with my own style is a mixture of funky and a-bit-of-classic designs that are comfortable and long-wearing, and with my winter range an emphasis on warmth and snugglyness!.”
Winter opening days are Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Gerard Hindmarsh
