When Atér was in its early development stages, the most important aspect for our brand was maintaining a 100 percent New Zealand-grown, designed, and manufactured ethos. We were actively seeking a reputable New Zealand company to assist in producing our coats. Upon approaching Steven from Avenue Clothing, we were thrilled that he agreed to come on board with our brand.
Avenue Clothing, a boutique sampling and manufacturing company specializing in high-end women's garments, was precisely the partner we were looking for. Their small team focuses on ensuring the high standard of every garment. Within the company, there are 10 in-house production/outwork managers and sampling specialists, along with two finishing experts and sixteen skilled machinists. The company, which has been operating for fifteen years, highlights one of the current major challenges in New Zealand's fashion industry: the limited pool of talented and skilled garment technicians and machinists.
Upon our initial contact with Steven, his enthusiasm for collaborating with our brand was fueled by Atér’s uniqueness. The fact that the wool is grown, shorn, spun, and woven exclusively in New Zealand holds a special significance, a rarity in today's world. He explains that "working with New Zealand wool is a truly pleasant experience and evokes a sense of pride in its local origins."
Atér takes great pride in being part of the slow fashion movement, a sentiment that resonates with Steven as well. He believes that the era of fast fashion is approaching its end, with New Zealand-made fashion progressively gaining more importance among consumers.
Thanks to Steven for giving us an inside look into Avenue and sharing your passion for New Zealand fashion.