The Business

DESIGNER PROFILE | THE FABRIC

I have always loved knitwear because of its flexible nature but with having an allergy to wool this meant I could never wear my own creations. I then decided if I could incorporate all the things I wanted to include in an alternative choice of garment I could solve my problem as well as offer to so many other potential customers, easy care cotton knitwear that could be machine washed and tumble dried for the busy women of today.

From having a past history in the industry I knew I had the skills to do it, but finding knitwear companies who would contract knit to my specifications and also had the cotton yarns available took considerable research. As I did not want to follow the normal seasonal colours, I had to add another process to have the fabric over-dyed. To understand the fabric’s memory many trials were carried out constantly taking measurements till a satisfactory sample range was produced. Working with the surplus yarns available a limited number of garments per colour combination are made which gives a special uniqueness to every garment.

CMT Because of the fabric’s nature each garment has to be individually cut then sewn using industrial machines specially adapted to this unique type of knit.

After carrying out a feasibility study I launched Funky Rainbows in 2006 in Whangarei offering to my customers a range of natural cotton funky elegant knitwear. For exposure and sales I attended the market circuits from Auckland to the Bay of Islands and in the summer months annual craft markets and music festivals such as the Auckland folk festival where my garments were very popular.

In 2007 I moved the business to Mangawhai Heads as the local market was well patronized by my customers. When fabric was available I started wholesaling to shops on a small scale such as Precious Vessels in Epsom, Hype in Dunedin and a Nelson market stallholder which helped income in the market off season.

MID 2008 Because of the downturn in sales at markets around Northland I decided to move the business operation to West Auckland and have continued to attend various markets for stock clearances..

2009 Funky Rainbows has now become well known and loved for its easy care funky knitwear. The ready to wear garments can be wrapped, draped, pinned or belted to give each customer their own individuality. Because each style is made to compliment a certain figure type, choosing the right combinations of garments is an exciting process.

CUSTOM MADE and ALTERATIONS SERVICE
With such a vast range of shapes sizes and heights of the customers who just love this knitwear range, it was decided to offer this service as some of our simple designs can be easily altered. You can personally have your own choice of edge trim colour.

OFFCUTS AND REMNANTS
There is no fabric waste-age in this business as remnant pieces are made into children’s garments and sold off the rack at markets and any un-useable pieces donated to pre-school and kindergartens for activities such as decopage .