Speedy sewing fit for Queen

By ELLEN READ

People may not make as much fuss as they used to about royal visits, but the Queen's recent whistlestop tour caused quite a stir at one Auckland small business.

Specialist designer uniform company Uniform Update was given just a few days to make new outfits for the beauticians at Taupo's Huka Lodge in time for the Queen's stay.

The order for the classic white crepe and camel trim uniforms was placed only five days before the big event, meaning a speedy three day turn-around was required.

Uniform Update owner Pamela Ellis is used to creating uniforms in a quick timeframe, but this was the first time she had had to do it for a royal visit.

She believes her ability to offer a specialised service, flexibility and quality products brought the company to the attention of Huka Lodge's design consultant, Donna Hoyle.

The company was able to fill the order in time because of the good relationships it had established with its suppliers and contractors.

Uniform Update is a family business, run by Ms Ellis and her daughter Kate Holehouse. Another daughter, Lisa, was also involved in the business until she moved from Auckland a few years ago.

Mrs Ellis, who has 20 years experience in the clothing industry, bought the company seven years ago from a friend who had started it up. Her niche market is the beauty industry and, more recently, uniforms for medical clients.

The women design the uniforms and do some of the cutting themselves. They contract out the manufacture to a factory in Kelston.

Over the past seven years they have built the company up, using some advertising but relying mainly on word of mouth and their good reputation.

"We supply a number of beauty therapy schools with uniforms and these girls then go out into the industry having worn our uniforms and want to continue with them," Mrs Ellis said.

Some people are prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to get hold of them - one ex-New Zealand student recently phoned from London to get a new uniform sent over, and an ex-Ascot hospital doctor rang from Ireland to get a special set of pale turquoise scrubs with lilac trim.

Despite this, the company has no plans to move into the export market, believing a large part of the local market remains untapped.

One thing the women will never know is whether the Queen saw their uniforms at Huka Lodge.

"That's not the sort of question you can ask," Mrs Ellis said.