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After 26 years of manufacturing women’s clothing in Leigh, Shadze of Lace has relocated to Warkworth, opening a retail outlet and workshop in Elizabeth Street.
Tracey Paton is the woman behind Shadze, doing everything from designing through to manufacturing and sales.
While she has had outlets in Warkworth before, it will be the first time the retail and manufacturing will be at one site in town.
“It will be great to get to talk with customers and get direct feedback on a daily basis,” Tracey says. “I’ve built up a loyal customer base over the years.”
The decision to relocate came as the Leigh building is going on the market.
Making clothing has been Tracey’s dream since she was a child, growing up on the North Shore.
She started in the industry after leaving school at 14, and began working as a machinist.
She went on to study pattern-making at Auckland Technical Institute and soon started her own label, selling at the Cook Street and Victoria markets.
After spending holidays at her mother’s bach in Leigh, she moved to Mahurangi 26 years ago and started manufacturing clothes from her workshop on Totara Road in Leigh.
She says following her instincts has been key to surviving in the competitive industry.
“You’ve got to be unique. People don’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing. Quality is another big focus – my products last and I only use high-quality fabric.”
Despite working through three decades of changing fashions, she says she is still never short of ideas.
“It just flows. I never stop drawing.”
The clothing is targeted at women 50-plus, with sizes ranging from 10 to 22. She also makes to measure and does clothing alterations and repairs.
About half of the clothing is sold locally, with the balance sold around the country and through her new website, shadze.co.nz.
“It’s very rewarding to look around town and see people wearing the clothing I’ve designed and made by hand.”
