Celebrating Women in Business: Sue Bailey, founder of Pattern Potentials, had a natural progression from creating her own clothing during childhood to owning an apparel business. Bailey openly encourages young people who want to follow in her footsteps and get into fashion, highlighting the importance of introducing more education into the industry.
As a child, Bailey was raised in a family of sewers, designing and creating her clothing items to keep up with recent fashion trends. In her final year of school, an Apparel Training Board caught her attention, eventually resulting in her being sponsored through a 6 month Apparel block course by a large manufacturer where she was employed at the conclusion of the course as a management trainee.
“I worked through the garment-making process from beginning to end, spending time in every section of the business,” remarked Bailey. “That was the beginning of a full and challenging fun-filled career in the apparel trade.”
Bailey worked in various positions where she gained an understanding of the range of the industry, from denim to chiffon catering for sizes 10-26, ages 20-70. She kept an open mind while learning and building meaningful relationships and connections that forwarded her in her personal and professional life.
Twenty-six years ago, Bailey started her own business called Pattern Potentials, a pattern making, grading, and marker-making service to the New Zealand industry. She incorporated her love for fashion and its technicality with her professional drive, and since then, she has built a loyal customer base.
“Pattern makers are very hard to find,” explained Bailey.
“It is such an amazing job; every day, every season is different as styles, fabrics, and colours change. It is a creative role but also a technical role.”
Bailey’s career choice has led to a fulfilling and rewarding career that has brought many opportunities. Pattern Potentials has an in-person workroom located in Morrinsville, as well as an online website.
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