Kooky's job losses down to high-end

A decision to discontinue high-end lines of fashion clothing made at Wanganui's Kooky clothing plant has resulted in the loss of nine jobs, Kooky Fashions director Jason Dunn says.

The employees lost their jobs on April 18.

Kooky Fashions Ltd's distribution and administration will remain at its 172 Victoria Ave premises.

Mr Dunne had no further comments to make.

He and his wife, Suzanne Lee Dunn, own and direct the company. Mrs Dunn is its head designer, and works from its design house in Auckland.

The company now has 14 stores throughout New Zealand, plus online sales and international wholesaling, according to its website.

In early 2010 the number of staff at the Wanganui plant fell to 20, after eight jobs were lost and some sewing was moved to China. The Kooky outlet store in Victoria Ave closed at the same time.

At that time the company had 17 stores in New Zealand, 76 staff and a turnover of $5 million.

Until this month, Kooky Fashions was one of the last few businesses manufacturing clothing in Wanganui.