Louise Sly has always looked for products with a point of difference – products that customers wouldn’t find in another store. After many years of working in workrooms and retail in the fashion industry, her business, Sly and Company, was born. With a love of art, design, and textiles, Sly offered a new range of natural fibres, reworked garments, and vintage and recycled clothing.
The importance of mindful and ethical consumption is at the heart of Sly and Company, and Sly strives to balance her love of fashion design with sustainable materials. She delivers garments and accessories with a style, quality, and individuality that will continue to give for many years.
“I'm more inclined to focus on New Zealand-made products. I love the way my customers are so considerate in their buying choices, and if they actually need it, I love this as it aligns with my own like-minded values,” Sly explained.
Sly believes garments should be wearable all year round, and she works to offer clothing that can be layered and styled in different ways in any season.
“I believe fashion should be inclusive, including pricing, so I look to offer a variety of price points to include different buyer budgets.”
Helping to create a circular wardrobe, Sly works on ranges that include recycled and up-cycled clothing, and at the same time, this provides customers with a more budget-friendly shopping experience.
This season, Sly is excited to give multi-coloured garments, fluro, hand-made, and bespoke items made to tell a great story. As Covid has altered the industry to focus on more local products and fast fashion is declining, Sly strives for a larger online presence and to collaborate with different makers and artists.
“I can only hope that running my own brand and having run retail stores, has given me a good understanding of the needs and wants of the customer, the maker, and the retailer.”
