Holi Boli founders set up business in Hamilton to support India workers

Ana Wilkinson-Gee in her New Zealand sewing studio.

Ana and husband Daniel moved to rural India with their three children and started Holi Boli, an ethical women's clothing manufacturer and fashion brand that empowers women in rural India through sewing training and safe and dignified employment.

The Wilkinson-Gee family are now living in Hamilton and have been making the most of their time back in New Zealand.

"It's now been a year since our evacuation and what an incredibly busy and productive year it's been," Ana says.

They managed to keep their ladies in India fully paid during their three-month lockdown last year.

"When things eased up they returned to the sewing house and continued with production, with me joining them on video call every day."

Ana says her favourite thing this past year has been watching the seamstresses' confidence grow.

"They stepped up to the challenge, upskilled themselves in some areas and pulled together as a team of 'strong women who lift others up' — as is our mantra. It was a joy to see."

As international distribution channels were disrupted and it was difficult trying to get their products out of India, Daniel and Ana started Holi Boli NZ and began production here.

"I set up a sewing studio out in the garage and started pattern making, sourcing fabrics locally, sewing and then released our first NZ-made collection online last year. I also visited retailers and started getting new stockists. Then I faced the good problem of not enough supply for demand."

The New Zealand-made Holi Boli range exists to help keep cash flow incoming to be able to continue paying the seamstresses' wages in India. As the crisis worsens in India, the family had word the area of Odisha where they lived went into a strict two-week lockdown again recently.

"It's like a repeat of April 2020, but worse. We personally know at least eight friends whose loved ones have died of Covid in the past two weeks. Everyone knows someone who's died now."

Ana believes it's good they are locking down again.

"We want our ladies to stay home and stay safe at this time. We will continue working dawn till dusk to keep producing and selling in New Zealand to keep them fed and feeling the love from their sisters in New Zealand."

Ana says their children have adjusted to life back in New Zealand "incredibly well".

"They're so adaptable and positive about life and making the most of every opportunity. They love the creativity and flexibility of New Zealand schools."

During her first week in a New Zealand school, daughter Eva marvelled with wide eyes at the fun colourful chairs and round tables in her classroom and noted that the toilet was a "western style" toilet with toilet paper provided, Ana says.

"She still video calls with her best friend back in India almost daily. Her classmates in India still haven't been back at school yet since the pandemic hit."

■ To check out the NZ Collection visit www.holiboli.com