A recent poll published on Monday, 6 February in Fairfax Media newspapers reported that 83 per cent of Australians believe we should be manufacturing more goods in Australia.
Since its inception in 2001, Swish Fashion, one of Australia’s most loved plus size fashion label, is 90% manufactured in Australia and employs 95% of Australian women. It currently has 8 stores nationally throughout Australia plus an online store.
Not bad for a pioneering idea Anita Carmody founded on instinct about women wanting plus size stylish clothing that the fashion industry just wasn’t providing.
Anita says the perils of manufacturing off shore begin with the inability to oversee every step of the process.
‘I want to know that the patterns are right, that the fit is right, that the quality is right. And if it comes in and there is something not right, it’s there at your doorstep to fix it.'
'I try to stay loyal to the industry and keeping the industry going in this country because it is a dying industry in Australia. There are so few people doing what I do, we’re almost an extinct breed.’
The secret to her success, keep it simple. Surround yourself with a team of highly skilled fashion industry insiders, have the love and support of your family and oversee every detail, every step of the way.
‘The two pattern makers I have, they are veterans in their field, I call them engineers.’
Indeed, Anita’s team of skilled fashion industry insiders have over 100 years combined experience between them.
‘A well-cut, quality garment is what I try and go for and I buy expensive, beautiful fabrics always. I don’t compromise, because I know myself I want to wear a good quality-feeling garment. My whole philosophy behind the business was always – good pattern making, so good fit. Good quality, so good makers which is why I always thought Australia did a
good job. And try to keep the as price affordable as possible and as much of it to be made in Australia as we can.’
‘I had made good contacts when I first started out and people liked the fact that it was made here. Local make was definitely more cost intensive but I could also control it better.'
Not knowing the enormity of what is required to run a fashion label was a blessing in disguise for Anita.
‘At that point I had been in the industry for over 20 years. I had done sales for so long and handled so many product lines but when you actually have to think about every button, every detail, every fabric, how it’s going to work, how it’s not going to work, how it’s going to look in the range, how it’s going to coordinate colour wise throughout the collection – the length, the width, the fit everything it is actually an enormous overwhelming task.’
For the first five years of Swish Fashion’s launch Anita worked tirelessly within Swish as well as managing her fashion agency – which she said helped to fund Swish, the fashion label and new career.
‘A lot of sacrifices both personal and financial were made. It was a long hard journey to getting it to where it is today. I would work day and night and when I would come home, having a young family, you then still have to cook, clean and iron. I had a lot on my shoulders at that point in time, but that’s what you do,’ she said.
But she persevered, Anita knew she had an eye for what looked great in a fashion range. She believed in providing clothing for the plus sized gap in the Australian fashion industry, that was of quality, beautiful fabrics and cost effective for her customers.
One word that describes Anita Carmody.
‘Ambition. What always drove me was my ambition I’m not ambitious to be famous. I just love a challenge and when you see it growing and growing, that keeps you very motivated and keeps you on your toes and keeps it joyous because you can see you’re going in the right direction.’
More information about us, can be found here: blog.swishfashion.com.au/about-us