We recently visited Dale and Sharmaine to get an idea of what goes on behind the scenes at their textile print and manufacturing studio New Model Beauty Queen in Brunswick, Melbourne. While we were there we asked a heap of questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and the history of New Model Beauty Queen.
New Model Beauty Queen started in 2005 as an effort to fit a niche in the market to produce small runs for emerging designers and others who requires small quantities. Initially starting in Fitzroy, we have grown and moved to Brunswick and about to start a new exciting venture in the CBD.
Give us a run down of a day in your workshop.
Chaos and mayhem. We work in a small team and because production varies from day to day depending on the clients needs, getting everything to move smoothly can be a challenge.
What services do you provide?
We specialize in all facets from Design consultancy & development, Pattern making, Sampling to full scale production. Our garment manufacturing facility is unique in its capacity to be flexible capable of doing both knit and woven garments. In conjunction, NMBQ’s screen printing service offers a versatile range from placement printing to yardage that can print almost any type of material.
How has your practice changed over time?
We continue to grow and it is sometimes difficult to coordinate creative minds.
What kinds of work do you produce?
We can manufacture everything from children wear to evening wear; street wear to lingerie.
Can you describe your own process of printing fabric?
We are traditional screen printing operation. We do both placement printing and meterage. We print on glass, steel and all form of textile.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I had one customer told us that the dress she brought from our brand so excited her husband that she never got to wear the dress for very long@!
What is your dream project?
To work exclusively on our own brand and selling globally based on an ethical and sustainable ethos.
How do you see the current state of clothing manufacturing in Australia?
There is great opportunity for a new ethically driven industry focusing on aesthetically Australian perspective. The global market place is always looking for something new and industry that progressive can only prosper.
Where do you see NMBQ going in the next few years?
NMBQ is about to open its first city store which will be called ARTISAN TEXTILE AUSTRALIA which will be located at the Basement of the Causeway House between Little Collins and Bourke Street Mall. It will have fully equipped production and manufacturing capability and a retail space, not only our own products but the best ethically independent designers. From this platform, we plan to create an internationally credible enterprise that will be available around the world.
The New Model Beauty Queen store is located at 149 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
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